made acquaintance

USAGE SUMMARY

"made acquaintance" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the act of meeting someone for the first time. Example: "I made acquaintance with her at the conference." Alternative expressions include "met" and "became acquainted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

As early as 1876 he had spent a whole Summer there, and at Barbizon, Grez, and Fontainebleau American artists first made acquaintance with the brilliancy of his mind and the charm of his personality.

The New York Times

He wrote in French, attended lectures, plunged into conversations in French and made acquaintance with the leading intellectuals of the day, notably those liberals who opposed Napoleon III and began to use the Union cause as a proxy for their own liberal, republican ideals.

The New York Times

In 1840, he made acquaintance with Viennese mathematician L.K. Schulz von Strasznicky (1803-1852) who suggested him to apply his powers to scientific purposes.

Advances in Difference Equations

In 1908 and 1909 he obtained a stipendium which enabled him to visit Graz, where he made acquaintance with Alexius Meinong and his school.

SEP

They may have had tough luck with the draws since they first made acquaintance with the Champions League, but a desperate winless exit last season against Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Ajax means former Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini must show the sort of pedigree in the competition that was part of the argument that persuaded the club to appoint him.

BBC

There were a handful of what ifs - curious refereeing decisions, not least Nigel Owens opting not to call upon his television match official when Aaron Cruden's burrow appeared to have come up a finger short of the try-line, Mike Brown spilling a try-scoring pass that could have given England a double-digit lead before the All Blacks had made acquaintance with England's 22.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

When he made acquaintances, it was not casually.

The New York Times

Though he does not speak German, Mr. Frankel apparently made acquaintances in prison who recommended lawyers to represent him.

The New York Times

Basit quickly made acquaintances through a mosque in Jersey City and recruited men to join him in a plan to bomb the World Trade Center.

The New Yorker

By 1656 Spinoza had already made acquaintances among members of the Collegiants, a religious group in Amsterdam that resisted any formal creed or practice.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Indeed, he had almost nothing; but he had made acquaintances and established his personal standing in Chattanooga, and after further negotiations he discovered that he could borrow $250.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the context; "made acquaintance" might sound overly formal in casual conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "made acquaintance" in informal settings or when a more direct verb like "met" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made acquaintance" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of establishing a first meeting or becoming familiar with someone. It suggests a deliberate act of getting to know someone. Ludwig provides several examples showing its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Wiki

11%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "made acquaintance" is a verb phrase used to describe the action of meeting someone for the first time, often implying a deliberate or significant introduction. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and the usage is neutral. Though not as common as simpler alternatives like "met", "made acquaintance" adds a layer of formality and can be useful when emphasizing the beginning of a relationship. While it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, remember to consider the tone of your writing to avoid sounding overly formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became acquainted

Focuses on the resulting state of knowing someone rather than the act of meeting.

got acquainted

Emphasizes the process of becoming familiar, suggesting a more gradual introduction.

met

A more direct and common synonym, lacking the formality of "made acquaintance".

first encountered

Highlights the initial meeting, often implying surprise or unexpectedness.

established contact

Focuses on initiating communication or connection rather than personal familiarity.

formed a connection

Highlights the beginning of a bond, can be professional or personal.

became familiar

Emphasizes the process of learning about something rather than the initial meeting.

connected with

Emphasizes establishing communication rather than building a relationship.

knew first

Highlights the temporal sequence of being the first to know someone or something.

shook hands with

Highlights the gesture when meeting someone for the first time.

FAQs

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

You can use "made acquaintance" to describe the act of meeting someone for the first time, such as "I "made acquaintance" with her at the conference" or "He "made acquaintance" with several artists during his travels".

What is a more formal alternative to "made acquaintance"?

While "made acquaintance" is already quite formal, a slightly more elevated phrase could be "established a rapport" if the meeting led to a positive connection.

Which is more common, "made acquaintance" or "became acquainted"?

"Became acquainted" is slightly more common in contemporary usage, but both phrases are acceptable. The choice often depends on the desired level of formality and the flow of the sentence.

What's the difference between "made acquaintance" and "met"?

"Met" is a more general and informal term for encountering someone. "Made acquaintance" implies a more deliberate or significant introduction, suggesting the beginning of a relationship, even if only a superficial one.