friend of many years

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "friend of many years" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a long-standing friendship, emphasizing the duration of the relationship. Example: "She is a friend of many years, and I cherish the memories we've created together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Our buddy and friend of many years.

The New York Times

We bid adieu to our dear friend of many years.

The New York Times

Dearest friend of many years, we will miss you.

The New York Times

The Firm mourns the loss of our dear client and friend of many years.

The New York Times

Morton, his wife's friend of many years, is a fine opera singer & thus has no irony.

The New Yorker

Good friend of many years, caring physician, gifted surgeon, outstanding teacher.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Confronted by the Sunday Mirror, Scudamore described the emails as: "Private, exchanged between colleagues and friends of many years".

The Guardian - Sport

Pen, paper, cards, all cast aside, information for family and friends of many years fails to make it to the the keypad.

The Guardian - Books

Scudamore, who emphasised that they were "private emails exchanged between colleagues and friends of many years" that should not have been accessed by his PA, nevertheless apologised and said "it was an error of judgment that I will not make again".

The Guardian - Sport

In his statement, Scudamore said the comments were made in "private emails exchanged between colleagues and friends of many years".

BBC

He said Lady Rogers and her husband were very close friends of many years standing, and he would speak to her at least every other day.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing obituaries or memorial messages, consider using "friend of many years" to convey a sense of long-term connection and enduring affection.

Common error

Avoid using "friend of many years" in very casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "longtime friend" or "friend for years" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "friend of many years" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an appositive or modifier to describe someone with whom one has shared a long-term friendship. Ludwig confirms its validity and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "friend of many years" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a long-standing friendship. As confirmed by Ludwig, it effectively conveys a sense of history and enduring connection, often used in obituaries, memorial messages, and heartfelt expressions. While generally neutral in tone, it leans slightly toward formality, making it suitable for news and professional contexts, while simpler alternatives may be preferable in very casual settings. To communicate similar affection and duration you can use "longtime friend", "friend for years", or "old friend".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

longtime friend

More concise way to express a friendship that has lasted a long time.

friend for years

Simplifies the expression by omitting "many", still implying a significant duration.

old friend

Emphasizes the duration of the friendship, suggesting a long history.

friend of long standing

More formal way to describe a long-lasting friendship.

friend for a long time

Rephrases to focus on the extended duration of the friendship.

friend since childhood

Specifies the starting point of the friendship, indicating a very long duration.

long-term friend

Uses 'long-term' as a compound adjective, emphasizing the duration of the friendship.

close friend for years

Adds the element of closeness to the long-lasting friendship.

companion of many years

Shifts the focus to companionship, highlighting the shared time and experiences.

associate of many years

Implies a professional or formal relationship that has lasted a long time.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "friend of many years"?

You can use alternatives like "longtime friend", "friend for years", or "old friend" depending on the context.

How do I use "friend of many years" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe someone you have known for a long time, for example: "She is a friend of many years, and I value our relationship."

Is "friend of many years" formal or informal?

It is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. Simpler alternatives might be better for very casual conversations.

What is the difference between "friend of many years" and "acquaintance of many years"?

"Friend of many years" implies a close and affectionate relationship, while "acquaintance of many years" suggests a more casual and less personal connection. They both indicate knowing someone for a long time, but the depth of the relationship differs.