familiar at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "familiar at" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not commonly used and may lead to confusion; "familiar with" is the appropriate expression. Example: "She is familiar with the new software we are using."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

1. Keep the familiar at hand.

The New York Times - Travel

Which doesn't sound familiar at all.

The Guardian - Arts

"Fragile" looks familiar at first.

The New York Times - Arts

Azarpeik's story, too, is depressingly familiar, at least to Iranians.

The New Yorker

"The image is, sadly, too familiar at this point.

The New York Times

There was also an odd sense of the familiar at the start.

The New York Times - Sports

"For the locals, it's strange and familiar at the same time".

The New York Times

"I'm not familiar at all with Lindytown," says Mr. Lodato, the county's economic development director.

The New York Times

Residents say nighttime gunshots are all too familiar at the Marlboro Houses in Gravesend, Brooklyn.

The New York Times

The history of the Shakers is familiar, at least in outline.

The New York Times

That influence seems to make Zehas both unusual and familiar at once.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct preposition. "Familiar with" is the standard and accepted form.

Common error

Avoid using "at" after "familiar". The correct preposition is "with". Using "familiar at" can confuse your readers and make your writing seem unprofessional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "familiar at" functions as an adjective-preposition combination. Although commonly found, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect; the standard construction is "familiar with."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

16%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "familiar at" appears frequently across various sources, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI advises against its use, recommending "familiar with" instead. The phrase aims to express acquaintance or knowledge, but its incorrectness detracts from its effectiveness, particularly in formal settings. Always opt for "familiar with" to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

familiar with

Direct replacement maintaining the original meaning with correct prepositional usage.

aware of

Indicates a consciousness or knowledge of something.

acquainted with

Indicates a basic level of knowledge or experience.

informed about

Stresses the act of being given or having access to information.

knowledgeable about

Suggests a deeper understanding or expertise in a subject.

versed in

Describes a thorough and well-studied familiarity.

conversant with

Implies ease and fluency in dealing with a topic.

au fait with

A more formal expression for being well-acquainted or familiar.

abreast of

Focuses on staying updated with recent developments.

experienced in

Highlights practical experience and skill in a particular area.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "familiar at"?

The correct phrase is "familiar with". For example, "I am familiar with this software".

What can I say instead of "familiar at"?

You can use alternatives like "acquainted with", "knowledgeable about", or "conversant with" depending on the context.

Is "familiar at" grammatically correct?

No, "familiar at" is not grammatically correct. The correct form is "familiar with".

What's the difference between "familiar at" and "familiar with"?

"Familiar at" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. Use "familiar with" to indicate knowledge or experience with something.