friend of yours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "friend of yours" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a mutual friend that you and the person you are speaking to both know. For example: - "I saw a friend of yours at the store yesterday." - "Do you know a woman named Karen? She's a friend of yours, right?" - "My brother is looking for a job. Is there a chance a friend of yours is hiring?" Essentially, "friend of yours" can be used anytime you want to refer to someone who is a friend of the person you are speaking to.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

ST: Edgar Wright, a long-time friend of yours, was your guest.

Forbes

If possible, get a male friend of yours to impersonate your 'boyfriend'boyfriend

WikiHow

A close friend of yours took up with your ex, then abandoned you.

The New York Times - Style

(Amanda isn't a really good friend of yours, but she's on your cousin's soccer team).

WikiHow

I consider myself friend of yours.

Harvard University

A friend of yours from college, right?

The New Yorker

Is Elvis Costello a friend of yours?

The Guardian - Film

Was Nixon a friend of yours?

The New York Times - Magazine

Is she a friend of yours?

The New York Times - Style

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Is she a friend of yours?" Obama asked.

The New Yorker

"Friend of yours?" "Hunter," Lizzie says.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "friend of yours", ensure the context makes it clear you are referring to someone known to the person you are speaking to. Avoid using it when introducing someone unknown to the listener.

Common error

Avoid using "friend of yours" when referring to a celebrity or public figure. It implies a personal connection the listener is likely to recognize, which would be misleading in most cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "friend of yours" functions as a post-modifying genitive phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and typically used to refer to a mutual friend, indicating a relationship or connection to the person being addressed. Ludwig examples show its use in questions like 'Is she a friend of yours?' and statements like 'A friend of yours, a little older, lost everything'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

20%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "friend of yours" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to inquire about or acknowledge a connection between the speaker's subject and the listener. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a post-modifying genitive phrase. The phrase appears frequently in news and media, wiki articles, and academic texts, suggesting a neutral register. When using "friend of yours", it's important to ensure the context clarifies you're referring to someone the listener knows. Alternatives like "someone you know" or "a mutual friend" can be used depending on the specific nuance you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a mutual friend

This explicitly states that the speaker and listener share the same friend.

someone you're friends with

This alternative is a more verbose way of expressing the same relationship.

someone you know

This alternative is a more general way of referring to a person known by the listener, without specifically indicating friendship.

an acquaintance of yours

This alternative suggests a less intimate relationship than friendship.

someone close to you

Indicates an intimate relationship, similar to a close friend.

a companion of yours

This alternative suggests someone the listener spends time with, though not necessarily a close friend.

someone in your circle

This refers to someone within the listener's social or professional network.

a contact of yours

This alternative is suitable in professional contexts where the relationship may not be personal.

a person you associate with

This is a formal way of saying someone the listener knows and interacts with.

a colleague of yours

Indicates someone the listener works with. The person is not necessarily a friend.

FAQs

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

You can use "friend of yours" to ask if someone knows the person you are referring to. For example, "Is that a "friend of yours" I saw you talking to yesterday?"

What's a more formal alternative to "friend of yours"?

While "friend of yours" is generally acceptable, in a more formal context, you might say "acquaintance of yours" or "someone you know". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say 'a friend of you' instead of "friend of yours"?

No, "a friend of you" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is ""friend of yours"", which uses the possessive pronoun 'yours'.

What's the difference between "friend of yours" and "your friend"?

"Your friend" refers to a specific friend of the person you are speaking to. "Friend of yours" can be used more generally or when you are unsure if the person is actually a friend.