familiar of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'familiar of' is technically correct and can be used in written English. However, it is an outdated phrase and should be avoided in most cases. It is more commonly used in stories and fantasy writings to describe a person who is closely associated with another person such as a companion or servant. For example, "The King had a familiar of a witch by his side at all times."

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After scanning, subjects were asked to rate globally the familiarity (ranging from 0 = not familiar; to 3 = familiar) of the pleasant and for the unpleasant music.

Plosone

The most familiar of these is the aspheric (nonspherical) surface.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Is Goethe the least familiar of the modern classics?

The New Yorker

By far the most familiar of these is the Rachmaninoff Vespers of 1915.

The New York Times - Arts

The herring gull (L. argentatus) is by far the most familiar of the Atlantic gulls.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He can take the most familiar of poems and find more.

The Guardian - Music

Hollandaise is the most familiar of classic French mother sauces, a stalwart of brunch menus everywhere.

The New York Times - Food

"Fancy Free," the most familiar of this program's three ballets, also proves the most substantial.

The New York Times - Arts

READERS will be familiar of the idea of the "Goldilocks economy", an idea that dates back to the 1990s.

The Economist

We are familiar, of course, with philosopher kings, but is there a new breed of philosopher curators?

The New York Times

They were ring ouzels, which are the least common and least familiar of our six regularly occurring thrushes.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While grammatically sound, consider modern alternatives like "aware of" or "acquainted with" for clearer and more contemporary writing.

Common error

Avoid using "familiar of" excessively in contemporary writing. Opt for more common and direct alternatives to prevent your writing from sounding archaic or stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "familiar of" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, often modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a relationship of acquaintance, knowledge, or close association. It's akin to saying someone is "aware of" or "acquainted with" something. Ludwig indicates that this expression is grammatically acceptable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

10%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "familiar of" is grammatically acceptable but often sounds dated in modern English. Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples reveals it functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating acquaintance or knowledge. While prevalent in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts, simpler alternatives like "aware of" or ""acquainted with"" usually provide clearer and more contemporary phrasing. Consider your audience and the desired tone when deciding whether to use "familiar of" or opt for a more common substitute. Choosing simpler words makes your text easier to read and understand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aware of

Highlights the state of being conscious or informed about something.

knowledgeable of

Focuses on possessing information or understanding about something.

acquainted with

Implies having some degree of knowledge or personal experience.

comfortable with

Emphasizes ease and experience in dealing with something.

used to

Simple alternative to state that something is not new or strange to someone

conversant with

Suggests a deeper level of understanding and the ability to discuss something intelligently.

accustomed to

Highlights being used to or habituated to something.

abreast of

Implies staying up-to-date with the latest information about something.

well-versed in

Emphasizes skill and proficiency in a particular subject.

intimate with

Suggests a very close and personal knowledge or relationship.

FAQs

What does "familiar of" mean?

The phrase "familiar of" suggests being acquainted with, knowledgeable about, or closely associated with someone or something. However, modern usage often prefers alternatives like "aware of" or "acquainted with".

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

While grammatically correct, consider whether a more modern phrase would be clearer. For example, instead of "He is a familiar of the court", you might say "He is "acquainted with" the court".

What can I say instead of "familiar of"?

You can use alternatives like "aware of", ""acquainted with"", "knowledgeable about", or "comfortable with" depending on the specific context.

Is "familiar of" grammatically correct?

Yes, "familiar of" is grammatically correct. However, its usage is becoming less common in contemporary writing. Consider alternatives for a more modern and direct style.