friend in common

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "friend in common" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a mutual acquaintance shared between two or more people. Example: "I met Sarah through our friend in common, Mike."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

We had a friend in common, and he saw me sing "Christmas Wrapping" by the Waitresses one night in Brooklyn, at karaoke.

The New York Times

It was only in the 1990s that I got to know him in person, for it turned out that we had a good friend in common.

The Guardian - Books

Johnson (1927-1995) kneWarholol socially; the two had a close friend in common, the Factory photographer known as Billy Name.

The New York Times - Arts

"Thiago Pereira and his wife Gabriela Pauletti were in Club France, the French house in Brazil, and they were celebrating the birthday of a friend in common," said Perez.

The Guardian - Sport

They had met in 2000, when Ms. O'Connell was also working at Winebow, and as they had a close friend in common, they saw each other regularly in group gatherings.

The New York Times - Style

According to Mr. Cohen's 2005 interview with city investigators, Mr. Cohen has known Mr. Kerik for several years, having been introduced by a friend in common, Nathan Berman, a real estate developer who has also lent Mr. Kerik money.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

They have friends in common.

The Guardian - Books

They have many friends in common from the old neighborhood.

The New York Times

But we have friends in common, and in the parlance of social media, we are connected.

The New York Times

I frequently saw cashiers address customers by name and ask about family or friends in common.

The New York Times - Magazine

That night, Ms. Adler and Mr. Sutherland discovered that they had several more friends in common.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "friend in common" to clearly indicate a shared acquaintance between two or more people. It helps establish a connection or shared context in conversation or writing.

Common error

Avoid assuming a deep relationship simply because there's a "friend in common". The connection might be superficial, and overstating it can lead to awkwardness or miscommunication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "friend in common" functions as a noun phrase. It typically serves to identify a mutual acquaintance, establishing a connection between two or more individuals. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Reference

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "friend in common" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for denoting a mutual acquaintance. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it serves to highlight a shared social link, facilitating connection and context in communication. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase's neutral register makes it appropriate for diverse scenarios. When writing, remember that simply having a "friend in common" doesn't guarantee a deep relationship. Consider alternatives like "mutual acquaintance" or "shared contact" for more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Mutual acquaintance

Focuses on the acquaintance being known by both parties.

Shared contact

Emphasizes the connection as a point of contact.

Common connection

Highlights the existence of a link between individuals.

Acquaintance in common

Stresses the level of familiarity as an acquaintance.

Someone we both know

A more direct and conversational way to express the shared connection.

Person we both know

Similar to "someone we both know", but slightly more formal.

Individual we both know

A more formal variant emphasizing the individual.

Respective acquaintance

Highlights that each person knows the individual independently.

Person known to both

A passive construction emphasizing that the person is known by both parties.

Linked acquaintance

Focuses on the acquaintance as a link between two people.

FAQs

How can I use "friend in common" in a sentence?

You might say, "I met her through a "friend in common", who thought we'd get along" or "Do you know John? He's a "friend in common" between Sarah and me".

What's a more formal alternative to "friend in common"?

Alternatives include "mutual acquaintance" or "shared contact", which might be more suitable in professional settings.

Is it correct to say "friends in common" instead of "friend in common"?

Yes, "friends in common" is correct when referring to multiple shared friends. "Friend in common" refers to a single shared friend.

How does knowing a "friend in common" affect social interactions?

A "friend in common" often serves as a bridge, making initial interactions easier and providing a shared context or topic for conversation. It can also build trust more quickly.