friend of mine

USAGE SUMMARY

"friend of mine" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it in a variety of contexts to indicate a friend of yours, as in the example sentence "My friend of mine just moved to a new city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Another friend of mine.

Independent

He's a friend of mine.

The New York Times

A friend of mine.

The Washington Post

A friend of mine is always worried.

The New York Times

(A friend of mine does that).

The New Yorker

Jenna's a great friend of mine.

The New York Times

"But she's no friend of mine".

The New Yorker

"Rick Perry's a friend of mine.

The New York Times

"He's a good friend of mine.

The New York Times - Sports

"He's no boy friend of mine.

The New Yorker

He's an old friend of mine.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "friend of mine" to introduce someone you know personally in a conversation or writing, adding a personal touch to the introduction.

Common error

Avoid using "my friend of mine" as it is redundant. The correct and natural phrasing is simply "friend of mine".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "friend of mine" functions as a possessive construction indicating a personal relationship. Ludwig AI underlines its common usage in introducing or referring to someone known to the speaker, highlighting its role in establishing connections and relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

9%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "friend of mine" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase for indicating a personal connection. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and wide application across various contexts. While highly frequent in news and media, it also appears in academic and business settings, maintaining a generally neutral tone. When using this phrase, avoid redundancy and consider the context to ensure the relationship is accurately portrayed. Related alternatives, such as "acquaintance of mine" or "colleague of mine", can provide more specific nuances when needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

someone I'm close to

This phrase emphasizes the emotional bond and intimacy in the relationship.

a pal of mine

This suggests a more informal and casual friendship.

a buddy of mine

Similar to "pal", this indicates an informal and friendly relationship.

an acquaintance of mine

This alternative emphasizes a less intimate relationship than a close friendship.

one of my confidants

This indicates a high level of trust and intimacy, implying a deeper relationship than just a "friend".

a companion of mine

This suggests shared experiences and time spent together, but doesn't necessarily indicate deep friendship.

a close associate of mine

This suggests a personal or professional connection that is significant but doesn't necessarily imply friendship.

a colleague of mine

This alternative specifies a professional connection, indicating a working relationship.

someone I know well

This phrase broadens the relationship to include anyone with whom one has a strong familiarity, not exclusively a friend.

a person I'm acquainted with

Similar to "an acquaintance", but slightly more formal.

FAQs

How can I use "friend of mine" in a sentence?

You can use "friend of mine" to introduce or refer to someone you know, for example, "A "close friend" of mine is visiting next week" or "That's a "good friend" of mine from college".

Is "friend of I" grammatically correct instead of "friend of mine"?

No, "friend of I" is grammatically incorrect. The correct possessive pronoun to use is "mine". Therefore, the correct phrase is "friend of mine".

What's the difference between "friend of mine" and "my friend"?

"Friend of mine" and "my friend" are similar, but "friend of mine" often implies that the person being referred to is not necessarily known to the listener or reader. "My friend" is a more direct and common way to refer to a friend.

Are there more formal alternatives to "friend of mine"?

While "friend of mine" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives might include "an associate of mine" or "a colleague of mine", depending on the context. You could also simply introduce the person by name and relation: "This is John, a "longtime friend"".