largely familiar

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "largely familiar" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is mostly known or recognized by a group of people. Example: "The concept of renewable energy is largely familiar to most students in the environmental science class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

The cast of characters is largely familiar.

The New York Times

It's largely familiar stuff, though not uncompelling; raw emotion rarely fails to engage.

The New York Times

Bowker and Taylor each lay out Orwell's myriad -- and largely familiar -- intellectual and political contradictions.

The New York Times - Books

Largely familiar locations this week, imaginatively and evocatively shot as always – although where was Scottie's funeral held?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Outrage," set in the present, hews to a largely familiar gangster template, with degrees of bad (badder, baddest) men fighting in a war of all against all.

The New York Times

Using largely familiar old songs, Ms. Marie spins a modern take on what a modern-day jazz singer should sound like.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

It still relies largely on familiar tools of violence.

The Washington Post

Still, the team which takes the field in Brisbane for the first Test in November will largely contain familiar names.

Independent

This nation has been on a building binge for decades — and indeed, the highway from Beijing as it begins its way toward Mongolia would largely be familiar to any American interstate highway driver.

The New York Times

They argued that the U.S. was determined to limit China's rise, but the perimeter of that encirclement was indicated largely by familiar points of conflict, such as Tibet and Taiwan.

The New Yorker

Though Arsenal's Kelly Smith is still injured she is on the bench with the rest of England's injury concerns; this is largely a familiar, settled England line-up, and Powell will prefer to see that as being to her advantage, not Ignacio Quereda's.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "largely familiar", ensure the context clarifies to whom the subject is familiar. For example, "The plot is largely familiar to fans of the genre."

Common error

Avoid using "largely familiar" when the subject is only known to a small group. Overstating familiarity can confuse or alienate your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "largely familiar" functions as an adverb-adjective modifier, describing the extent to which something is known or recognized. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct. It qualifies a noun by indicating a high degree of familiarity without implying complete or universal knowledge.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "largely familiar" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe something that is mostly known or recognized. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and highlights its use across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using the phrase, ensure you specify to whom the subject is familiar and avoid overstating the extent of familiarity. Consider alternatives like "mostly known" or "generally recognized" to refine your meaning and maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

largely acquainted

Replaces "familiar" with "acquainted", suggesting a less in-depth knowledge.

mostly acquainted

Replaces "familiar" with "acquainted", suggesting a less in-depth knowledge, and "largely" with "mostly".

mostly known

Emphasizes the extent of knowledge about something, focusing on the 'known' aspect.

generally recognized

Highlights widespread acceptance or awareness, shifting the focus to 'recognition'.

well known

Shortens the phrase to a more concise expression with a similar meaning.

generally known

Similar to "generally recognized" but focuses directly on 'knowledge'.

widely understood

Focuses on comprehension rather than simple familiarity.

broadly acquainted

Implies a surface-level understanding or awareness.

commonly perceived

Highlights a shared viewpoint or understanding, particularly how something is 'seen'.

fairly common

Shifts the emphasis to how commonplace something is, instead of how known it is.

FAQs

How can I use "largely familiar" in a sentence?

Use "largely familiar" to describe something that is mostly known or recognized. For example, "The concept is largely familiar to those in the field."

What's an alternative to "largely familiar" that I could use?

You can use alternatives like "mostly known", "generally recognized", or "widely understood" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "largely familiar" in formal writing?

Yes, "largely familiar" is appropriate for formal writing. However, consider your audience and the specific context to ensure it effectively conveys your intended meaning.

What's the difference between "largely familiar" and "completely familiar"?

"Largely familiar" implies that something is mostly, but not entirely, known. "Completely familiar" suggests a full and comprehensive understanding or recognition.