made friends with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made friends with" is a perfectly acceptable phrase to use in written English.
It is often used as a way of saying that two people have become friends. For instance, you could write: "John made friends with his new neighbor at the block party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They made friends with locals.

The New York Times

But Eliot made friends with them all.

The New Yorker

Miller made friends with other misfits.

The New Yorker

You made friends with them.

The New York Times

I made friends with street kids, I made friends with the house help".

The New Yorker

He made friends with Yakima Canutt, dean of the stuntmen.

The Economist

Mrs. Campbell, a friendly young woman made friends with people.

The New Yorker

Except the people you made friends with the night before.

Independent

"We made friends with the world," she told him.

The New Yorker

"We've made friends with people all over the world".

The New York Times - Travel

Mr. Fleetwood made friends with many of his callers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "made friends with" to describe the active process of forming a friendly relationship, particularly when highlighting the circumstances or mutual benefits involved.

Common error

Avoid using "made friends with" to describe casual acquaintances or fleeting interactions. This phrase implies a deeper connection than simply knowing someone's name or having a brief conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made friends with" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of forming a friendly relationship with someone. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a common and acceptable expression. Examples on Ludwig demonstrate its use in various narrative and descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Wiki

7%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "made friends with" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the formation of a friendly relationship. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides numerous examples of its usage in diverse contexts, predominantly in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives might be suitable for academic or scientific writing. When writing, remember that the phrase describes the active process of building a relationship and implies a deeper connection than mere acquaintance. Consider using synonyms like "befriended" or "formed friendships with" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

befriended

Single verb, emphasizes the action of becoming friends.

formed friendships with

More formal and emphasizes the establishment of a friendship.

bonded with

Suggests a strong emotional connection.

cultivated relationships with

Suggests a more deliberate and nurtured approach to forming connections.

became close to

Indicates a developing intimacy and strong emotional connection.

established rapport with

Highlights the creation of a harmonious and understanding connection.

developed ties with

Implies the formation of a formal or informal connection through shared interests or circumstances.

connected with

Broader term that can imply a less deep or less personal connection.

struck up acquaintances with

Implies a more casual and less intimate connection.

got along with

Indicates a harmonious relationship but not necessarily a deep friendship.

FAQs

How can I use "made friends with" in a sentence?

You can use "made friends with" to indicate the act of forming a friendly relationship, such as: "She "made friends with" her new colleagues during the team-building exercise."

What are some alternatives to "made friends with"?

Some alternatives to "made friends with" include "befriended", "formed friendships with", or "connected with", depending on the context and the depth of the relationship.

Is it appropriate to use "made friends with" in formal writing?

While "made friends with" is acceptable, more formal alternatives like "cultivated relationships with" or "established rapport with" might be preferred in strictly formal contexts.

What is the difference between "made friends with" and "was acquainted with"?

"Made friends with" implies a mutual bond and a deeper connection, whereas "was acquainted with" suggests a casual familiarity without a significant relationship.