familiar bugs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "familiar bugs" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to known issues or problems that one has encountered before, often in the context of software or technology. Example: "After reviewing the code, I noticed several familiar bugs that we had fixed in previous versions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

During my fellowship in critical care, the once-familiar bugs P. vivax, Entamoeba histolytica, and even Salmonella almost felt benign when compared to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus, and multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria that lurk in shiny hospitals in the United States.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Not familiar with Bug Labs?

TechCrunch

The tale told by "Eight Days a Week" is a familiar one: how the bugs flew, and what sort of buzz they made around the world.

The New Yorker

"Sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite," goes the familiar phrase.

BBC

Incidentally, the glitch will come as no surprise to people who are familiar with Obsidian-developed games such as Fallout: New Vegas: expect bugs, and lots of them.

TechCrunch

Although a bug-eyed double take is a familiar Hope trademark, most of his comedy relied on quips and wisecracks delivered at a breakneck pace.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It's a return to familiar ground for Stone whose previous film, the bug-eyed drama Savages, wasn't particularly well-received.

The Guardian - Film

It's another group grope, not for a computer bug this time, but for a familiar insect once kept in check with a spritz of Off! and a slap.

The New York Times

If you're not familiar with the last one, it's when four mannequins covered in bugs penetrate you with arrows.

Vice

In one respect, said Dr. Charles D. Dermer, a Naval Research Laboratory astrophysicist familiar with the work, the Whipple observations are "sort of like bug collecting".

The New York Times - Science

There was no trace of warmth in this dark earth, yet for a bug curled up tight in it, it was a peaceful and familiar world".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "familiar bugs", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to software defects, biological pests, or other types of recurring problems.

Common error

Avoid using "familiar bugs" when the issues are actually new or unexpected. This phrase implies prior knowledge or experience with the specific problems.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "familiar bugs" functions as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. The adjective "familiar" describes the noun "bugs", indicating that the bugs are known or previously encountered. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Wiki

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "familiar bugs" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to refer to known or previously encountered problems, defects, or pests. As Ludwig AI confirms, it fits into various contexts, although the specific context might warrant more precise terminology for greater formality. The phrase sees usage across different domains, especially in news, science, and encyclopedia sources. When using this term, ensure clarity about whether the bugs are literal insects, software glitches, or other recurring issues to avoid misinterpretation. While "familiar bugs" is valid, options such as "known issues" or "recurring problems" could be more appropriate in certain situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previously encountered bugs

Emphasizes the aspect of having seen the bugs before.

recognized defects

Highlights the identification of the bugs as defects.

known software defects

Replaces "bugs" with a more specific term in the context of software, maintaining the sense of recognition.

common glitches

Substitutes "bugs" with "glitches", implying minor and frequently encountered issues.

recurring errors

Focuses on the repetitive nature of the "bugs", highlighting their repeated occurrence.

frequent imperfections

Replaces "bugs" with a more formal term, "imperfections", emphasizing the flaws.

customary issues

Replaces "familiar" with "customary" and "bugs" with "issues", keeping a similar level of formality.

typical problems

Uses a more general term, "problems", to represent the "bugs" that are commonly known.

well-known pests

Shifts the context to literal pests that are commonly known.

habitual insects

Refers to literal insects but emphasizes their common occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "familiar bugs" in a sentence?

You might say, "After reviewing the code, I noticed several familiar bugs that we had fixed in previous versions", or "The gardener identified the familiar bugs attacking the rose bushes".

What are some alternatives to saying "familiar bugs"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "known issues", "recurring problems", or "common glitches".

Is it appropriate to use "familiar bugs" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "familiar bugs" might be too informal for certain formal contexts. Consider using more precise and professional terms like "known defects" or "recurring errors" in such cases.

Can "familiar bugs" refer to literal insects, or is it only used metaphorically?

While often used metaphorically to describe recurring problems, "familiar bugs" can also refer to literal insects or pests that are commonly encountered in a specific environment.