familiar thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'familiar thing' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase when you want to refer to something that is known or recognized. For example, "I was pleased to find a familiar thing among the new items in the store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

A book about a movie is a familiar thing.

The Guardian - Music

But Putin's peculiar rhetorical adherence to "legality" is a familiar thing in Russia.

The New Yorker

In the months since his death, a sadly familiar thing has happened, too.

The New York Times - Arts

But to the newer generation I'm more of a familiar thing.

The New Yorker

Some good comics do a familiar thing well; the best do something no one else does.

The Guardian

"We need to change, we need to move," Marine said, but the movement seemed to be movement within the same familiar thing.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

He loses familiarity with previously familiar things, such as his house, bedroom, arrangement of his bedroom, roads in his neighborhood, and so on.

WikiHow

They keep familiar things familiar.

The New York Times

"The East Village comes with some familiar things.

The New York Times

All these familiar things had survived the war and displacement.

The New Yorker

Mr. Barbarini is 63 and cherishes familiar things.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "familiar thing" to describe something that is easily recognized or understood due to prior experience or knowledge. For example, 'The sight of his old bike was a familiar thing that brought back many memories.'

Common error

Avoid using "familiar thing" when you want to emphasize the significance or impact of something. While familiarity implies recognition, it doesn't necessarily indicate importance. For example, instead of saying 'The pandemic became a familiar thing', consider 'The pandemic became a significant event' to highlight its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "familiar thing" functions as a noun phrase, where 'familiar' modifies 'thing'. It serves to identify something as being known, recognized, or previously experienced. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and common occurrence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "familiar thing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase. As Ludwig AI explains, the expression correctly highlights something known or recognized. This phrase commonly appears in news articles and science-related content. It serves to evoke recognition or understanding, fitting well within a neutral register. Remember to use it when you want to describe something easily recognizable but avoid using it as a way to add importance. Alternatives like "well-known phenomenon" or "common occurrence" may better suit different context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

well-known phenomenon

This alternative emphasizes the widespread knowledge of the occurrence.

common occurrence

This alternative focuses on the frequency of the event.

typical situation

This alternative highlights the conventional or expected nature of the scenario.

recognized element

This alternative refers to the known and identifiable component.

established fact

This alternative emphasizes the acceptance and validation of the information.

customary practice

This alternative implies a habitual or traditional way of doing things.

conventional aspect

This alternative highlights the adherence to accepted norms or standards.

routine matter

This alternative suggests an everyday and unremarkable issue.

usual suspect

This alternative is often used to refer to a predictable element.

oft-seen element

This alternative directly highlights that an item has been observed a lot.

FAQs

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

Use "familiar thing" to refer to something easily recognized or known. For example, 'The old melody was a "familiar thing" that evoked feelings of nostalgia'.

What can I say instead of "familiar thing"?

You can use alternatives like "well-known phenomenon", "common occurrence", or "typical situation" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a thing that is familiar" instead of "familiar thing"?

Yes, "a thing that is familiar" is grammatically correct, but ""familiar thing"" is more concise and commonly used.

What's the difference between "familiar thing" and "something familiar"?

"Familiar thing" is a noun phrase referring to a specific instance, while "something familiar" is a more general term referring to anything that is familiar. For example, "Seeing her face was a familiar thing," versus, "There's something familiar about this room".