intimate acquaintance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intimate acquaintance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a close or personal relationship with someone, indicating a deep level of familiarity. Example: "After years of working together, we developed an intimate acquaintance that allowed us to understand each other's thoughts and feelings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Vintage whisky gone, son develops an intimate acquaintance with Cif.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Abbott's intimate acquaintance with dystopian horror inspired Shameless.

The Guardian

She has made the intimate acquaintance of one obliging oligarch after another.

The New Yorker

I have no intimate acquaintance with the personal lives of these dramatists.

The New York Times

As children and adolescents, we have an intimate acquaintance with evil.

The Guardian - Books

"The very stones in the garden walls are my intimate acquaintance," wrote Cowper.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Every person left the room, except Beethoven and the master of the house, one of his most intimate acquaintances.

The Guardian - Music

When the victim's relationship to the shooter could be identified, 94 percent of these women were murdered by a man they knew, and of those, 61 percent were wives or intimate acquaintances.

The New York Times

When he finally finished his letter, shouting the sign-off he used for friendly but not intimate acquaintances — "with best wishes!" — it was with the aplomb of a maestro flinging down his baton.

The New Yorker

The haze through which they regard their most intimate acquaintances and relatives isn't so much love as guilt: guilt at being unable to connect and blundering hurtfully when they try.

The New York Times

They have just the same aggressive, violent instincts as men, but direct them at different targets - members of their own family, intimate acquaintances, lovers, partners or children - but also at their own bodies in self-harm.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a relationship, consider the specific context to choose the most appropriate phrase. "Intimate acquaintance" suggests a deeper connection than a simple "acquaintance" but may not be as strong as "close friend".

Common error

Be mindful of the degree of closeness you intend to convey. Using "intimate acquaintance" when describing a casual acquaintance can exaggerate the relationship and sound insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intimate acquaintance" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes the state of knowing someone or something well, implying a close and personal level of familiarity. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical standing and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "intimate acquaintance" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that describes a close and personal relationship or a deep understanding of a subject. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for a range of contexts, particularly news, media, science, and encyclopedic writing. The phrase's nuance is that it goes beyond a simple acquaintance, suggesting a significant degree of familiarity and personal connection. While the phrase is widely accepted, it's essential to ensure its usage accurately reflects the intended degree of closeness to avoid misrepresenting the relationship. Alternatives such as "close familiarity" and "deep connection" may also be suitable depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

close familiarity

Emphasizes the depth of understanding and knowledge about someone or something.

deep connection

Highlights the emotional or personal bond established between individuals.

personal relationship

Focuses on the individual and private nature of the connection.

close association

Suggests a professional or social bond that is characterized by frequent interaction.

familiar terms

Indicates a level of informality and ease in the relationship.

deep understanding

Highlights the comprehension and insight one has about another person or subject.

close bond

Emphasizes the strength and emotional connection between individuals.

established rapport

Focuses on the harmonious and understanding relationship built over time.

working knowledge

Implies a practical and functional understanding gained through experience.

considerable exposure

Indicates significant experience and interaction leading to familiarity.

FAQs

How can I use "intimate acquaintance" in a sentence?

You can use "intimate acquaintance" to describe a deep level of familiarity with a person or subject. For example, "He developed an intimate acquaintance with the city's history through years of research."

What's the difference between "intimate acquaintance" and "casual acquaintance"?

"Intimate acquaintance" implies a close, personal connection and a deep understanding, while "casual acquaintance" refers to a superficial or infrequent interaction.

What are some synonyms for "intimate acquaintance"?

Alternatives to "intimate acquaintance" include "close familiarity", "deep connection", or "personal relationship", depending on the context.

Is "intimate acquaintance" a formal or informal phrase?

"Intimate acquaintance" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though its usage often appears in news, media, and academic writing.