familiarize

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "familiarize" is a valid word in written English.
It is a verb meaning to make someone or something more familiar or acquainted with a particular subject, topic, or situation. Example sentence: We spent the first week of the class familiarizing ourselves with the course material.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Patriotic societies, organized with government encouragement from 1765 onward, were meant to provide the provincial basis for a progressive society and to familiarize Spaniards with European advances in technology and agriculture.

Encyclopedia Britannica

General Ledger began to familiarize business managers with microcomputers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They use a variety of simulators and other equipment during their training to familiarize themselves with the planned mission activities and to react to simulated emergencies and other deviations from normal operations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"I tried to familiarize myself with everything beforehand, but I'm certainly glad I left room for surprises as well".

Independent

The purpose of simulation is not to completely substitute for actual flight training but to thoroughly familiarize students with the vehicle concerned before they undergo expensive and possibly dangerous actual flight training.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His historical treatises, written in Hebrew, manifest his desire to familiarize his fellow Jews with the historical tradition of the Latin world, which at that time was alien to most of them.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To familiarize Vann with the weaknesses of the ARVN staff system, Porter also put him to work in the corps G-3 (Operations) and G-2 (Intelligence) sections.

The New Yorker

He explained that when he got to Hollywood, in the late forties (at which time he was in his early twenties), he made it his business to familiarize himself with every aspect of the process, and that when he started to direct (with "The Bellboy," in 1960), he wanted to be able to practice them.

The New Yorker

The best that we can do is to familiarize ourselves with the full spectrum of urban life, across class and cultural boundaries.

The New Yorker

In her 1948 essay "How I Began to Write," McCullers recalled that her first novel, "A Reed of Pan," which she wrote when she was fifteen (the manuscript has been lost), embodied her longing to get out of Columbus, to see New York, and to familiarize herself with the unfamiliar.

The New Yorker

Talk story designed to familiarize readers with the UN setup.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "familiarize", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being made familiar. For example, "Familiarize yourself with the safety procedures" is clearer than simply "Familiarize yourself."

Common error

Avoid using "familiarize" in passive constructions where the actor is unclear. Instead of "The students were familiarized", specify who did the familiarizing: "The teacher familiarized the students with the new software."

Linguistic Context

The verb "familiarize" functions primarily as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object to complete its meaning. It indicates the action of making someone or something acquainted or conversant with a particular subject or environment. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "familiarize" is a versatile verb used to describe the process of making someone or something acquainted with a particular subject or environment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and encyclopedic contexts. To use "familiarize" effectively, be mindful of clearly indicating what is being made familiar and avoid ambiguous passive constructions. Alternatives like "acquaint" or "get to know" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. By following these guidelines, you can confidently incorporate the word "familiarize" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acquaint oneself with

Focuses on the action of getting to know something, often implying a personal effort.

get acquainted with

Similar to "acquaint oneself with" but can also refer to introducing someone to something.

become conversant with

Emphasizes gaining a working knowledge or fluency in a particular subject.

become accustomed to

Highlights the process of getting used to something new or different.

get to know

A more general and informal way of saying "familiarize", applicable to both people and things.

brief oneself on

Suggests a concise and focused effort to gain essential information.

make aware of

Focuses on bringing information or understanding to someone's attention.

gain insight into

Suggests a deeper understanding and appreciation of a subject.

study up on

An informal way to describe intensive learning or preparation.

get the hang of

Implies learning how to do something, often through practice.

FAQs

How can I use "familiarize" in a sentence?

You can use "familiarize" to describe the process of getting to know something well. For example, "The training program helps new employees "familiarize themselves with" company policies."

What's a good alternative to using "familiarize"?

Depending on the context, you could use "acquaint", "become conversant with", or "get to know" as alternatives to "familiarize".

Is it better to say "familiarize with" or "familiarize yourself with"?

While both can be correct, "familiarize yourself with" is often more explicit and clearer, especially when the subject is taking the action. For example, "Please "familiarize yourself with" the guidelines before proceeding."

What's the difference between "familiarize" and "educate"?

"Familiarize" means to make someone acquainted with something, while "educate" implies a more thorough and formal learning process. You "familiarize yourself with" a website's layout, but you get educated in mathematics.