large acquaintance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "large acquaintance" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used when referring to a significant number of people one knows, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "He has a large acquaintance in the business world, which helps him network effectively."

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Our freshman, if not a man of tact and large acquaintance, finds the wine party a slow affair.

The Guardian

His business took him into places of entertainment, where he soon had a large acquaintance, including the actor Charles ("Wicked Charlie") Macklin, with whom he conferred on modern theories of acting, and the elegant but unreliable Charles Fleetwood, manager of Drury Lane Theatre, one of the two theatres authorized by the 1737 Licensing Act, the other being Covent Garden.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The trays of the confectioners are always meandering through the court by dozens about five o'clock: the men carrying them are perhaps stopped by some college man with a large acquaintance, who learns where he is going and drops in before hand, by accident.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

He promised acquaintances large loans and easy money if they would give him cash up front.

The New York Times

This rewards those with large numbers of acquaintances, as they become the hub of a network of relationships.

The Economist

Talk/Discuss at a large meeting of acquaintances.

Journal of Applied Volcanology

Talk/Discuss at a large meeting of acquaintances.   7.

Journal of Applied Volcanology

We believe that each community would greatly benefit by a larger degree of acquaintance with the methodological approaches of the other.

EPJ Data Science

She also sells pieces to private collectors, among them is a former state public utilities commissioner, Richard McGlynn, who had at least a nodding acquaintance with large fuel tanks.

The New York Times

He was ruthless in print, made enemies of many friends and former allies, and did not suffer fools — a large subset of his acquaintance, in his view.

The New Yorker

Then, after a couple hundred meters into the tidal flats, in a spot where the line between land and water looks like a charcoal sketch, we make the acquaintance: a large, lustrous white bear, tossing about on a bed of grass, yawning and scratching in a seeming state of torpor.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common phrases like "extensive network" or "wide circle of acquaintances" for clarity and better reception.

Common error

Avoid using "large acquaintance" in informal contexts; it may sound stilted or unnatural. Opt for simpler alternatives like "knows many people" in casual conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "large acquaintance" functions as a noun phrase, describing the extent of one's personal or professional connections. Ludwig shows it often describes someone's social reach or number of contacts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "large acquaintance" is grammatically acceptable but not commonly used. Ludwig's AI suggests it's more natural to use alternatives like "extensive network" or "wide circle of acquaintances". It appears in news and encyclopedic contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. While understandable, adopting more prevalent phrases will improve clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

knows many people

A simpler, more direct way of saying the same thing.

extensive network

Focuses on a professional network rather than general acquaintances.

wide circle of friends

Emphasizes closer relationships rather than casual acquaintances.

numerous contacts

Highlights the number of people known, often in a business context.

broad range of associates

Implies a diverse group of people known through various activities.

considerable number of connections

Focuses on professional or social links and their quantity.

many colleagues

Specifically refers to people known in a professional setting.

big social circle

Describes a large group of people one interacts with socially.

vast array of contacts

Emphasizes the variety and number of connections one possesses.

well-connected

Highlights the ability to reach many people through one's network.

FAQs

What does "large acquaintance" mean?

The phrase "large acquaintance" refers to knowing a significant number of people, although it's not a very common expression. More common alternatives include "extensive network" or "wide circle of acquaintances".

What can I say instead of "large acquaintance"?

You can use alternatives like "extensive network", "wide circle of friends", or "numerous contacts" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "large acquaintance"?

Yes, the phrase "large acquaintance" is grammatically correct, but it's not a frequently used expression. It's better to use more standard phrases for better clarity and naturalness.

When is it appropriate to use the term "large acquaintance"?

While grammatically correct, "large acquaintance" sounds somewhat formal. It might be appropriate in formal writing or when you want to emphasize the size of someone's network, but in most cases, phrases like "extensive network" or "wide circle of friends" are preferable.