familiar faces

USAGE SUMMARY

"familiar faces" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to people that you already know or have seen before. For example, "It was nice to see all of the familiar faces at my high school reunion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Familiar faces.

The New Yorker

But less familiar faces await.

The New York Times

Familiar faces keep turning up.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Some are familiar faces".

The Guardian - Money

Familiar faces drive that narrative.

Princeton University

Kitous has brought in some familiar faces.

Independent

Familiar stories required familiar faces.

The Guardian - Books

Durkin is among familiar faces.

The New York Times - Sports

Upon arrival, I saw no familiar faces.

Cornell University

I see several familiar faces here today.

Columbia University

Familiar faces disappear on a regular basis.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about events or gatherings, use "familiar faces" to create a sense of community and shared experience. This can help your audience connect with the narrative on a personal level.

Common error

Avoid using "familiar faces" excessively in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise language that specifies the nature of the relationships or the roles of the individuals involved.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "familiar faces" is that of a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig highlights, it's used to describe a group of people who are known or recognized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

21%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "familiar faces" is a common noun phrase used to describe people one recognizes. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. While versatile, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts, and less common in very formal settings. For alternatives, consider "known individuals" or "recognized people" depending on the nuance you wish to convey. When using "familiar faces", consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing to ensure it fits the context appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

people you know

Simple, direct way of referring to individuals already familiar.

known individuals

Focuses on the aspect of being recognized or previously identified.

people I recognize

Highlights first person singular, I, as the person that recognize

recognized people

Emphasizes the act of identifying people that you know.

acquainted persons

Formal alternative highlighting prior association or relationship.

remembered faces

Highlights the act of recalling someone's face from memory.

previous acquaintances

Refers to people known from past interactions or encounters.

well-known people

Emphasizes the general recognition or fame of the individuals.

friendly faces

Highlights the positive and amicable aspect of recognizing someone.

faces from the past

Highlights faces that were from a time long ago.

FAQs

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

"Familiar faces" can be used to describe the presence of people you recognize in a specific context. For example: "It was comforting to see so many familiar faces at the conference."

What are some alternatives to "familiar faces"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "known individuals", "recognized people", or "acquainted persons".

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

While "familiar faces" is generally acceptable, it might be more suitable for informal or narrative contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise terms to describe the relationships or roles of the people involved.

What does it mean when someone says they saw "familiar faces" at an event?

It typically means they encountered people they recognized or had met before. It implies a sense of connection or community within that specific environment.