make new acquaintances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make new acquaintances" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to meeting and getting to know people you didn't know before. For example, "I was excited to make new acquaintances at the party last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Certainly, there are stranger ways to make new acquaintances on the Web.

The New York Times - Tech

He can make new acquaintances every day, and try to soak up the infinite variety of life.

The New York Times - Books

He had just moved to Ahuas from the city of San Pedro Sula, he said, and seemed eager to make new acquaintances.

The New Yorker

I've found that the Galley, the dining hall, which is quite similar to a standard college cafeteria, can be a great place to make new acquaintances and learn about the plethora of support and science programs on the continent.

The New York Times

If dining alone, community tables are a great way to make new acquaintances.

BBC

Path analysis as well as qualitative analysis suggest that compact urban forms enable residents to maintain larger networks of close relationships, socialize more frequently with friends and family, receive stronger social support, and enjoy increased opportunities to make new acquaintances.

Cities

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Phelps has become so popular among the athletes, he could spend all his free time making new acquaintances.

The New York Times - Sports

We curled up in leather armchairs in the wood-paneled library, and made new acquaintances in the cozy cigar lounge.

The New York Times - Travel

During the course of her trip, Cusk's narrator, Faye, who lives in London, meets with friends in Athens and makes new acquaintances, mostly editors and writers.

The New Yorker

Meyer met a boyfriend before he left DC, who has accompanied him on and off, and he meets up with old friends and makes new acquaintances as he travels.

The Guardian

Ruax was loved for being an endless source of ideas and joy, the type of person who made new acquaintances feel as if they had known her for far longer.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make new acquaintances" to describe the process of meeting people you didn't previously know, often in a social or professional context. It suggests initiating a connection that could develop into a friendship or professional relationship.

Common error

Avoid using "make new acquaintances" when you actually mean forming deep, meaningful friendships. While acquaintances are valuable, the phrase doesn't imply the same level of intimacy or commitment as friendship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make new acquaintances" functions as a verb phrase describing the action of establishing contact and initial familiarity with new people. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. The phrase indicates an initial stage of forming connections, not necessarily deep friendships.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

28%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make new acquaintances" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the act of meeting and getting to know new people. As Ludwig AI points out, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, general discussions, and social interactions. While alternatives like "meet new people" or "forge new connections" exist, "make new acquaintances" provides a balanced and widely understood expression for initiating social or professional relationships. It is important not to confuse the expression with deeper connections, as acquaintances do not imply the same level of intimacy or commitment as friendship.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meet new people

This alternative is more general and emphasizes the act of encountering new individuals without necessarily forming connections.

forge new connections

This alternative emphasizes building strong, lasting relationships.

cultivate new relationships

Implies a deliberate and gradual process of developing relationships.

expand one's social circle

Focuses on increasing the size of one's network of contacts.

mingle with new people

Suggests casual interaction in a social setting.

network with others

Emphasizes professional or career-oriented connections.

develop new contacts

Highlights the aspect of creating professional connections for mutual benefit.

get to know new faces

Focuses on the initial stage of becoming familiar with new people.

form new friendships

Emphasizes developing bonds of friendship with new individuals.

widen social network

Implies enlarging the number of connections.

FAQs

How can I use "make new acquaintances" in a sentence?

You can use "make new acquaintances" to describe meeting and getting to know new people. For example: "Attending conferences is a great way to "make new acquaintances" in your field."

What are some alternatives to "make new acquaintances"?

Alternatives include "meet new people", "forge new connections", or "expand one's social circle", depending on the context.

Is it better to "make new acquaintances" or "make new friends"?

"Make new acquaintances" refers to meeting people and beginning to know them, while "make new friends" implies a deeper, more personal connection. The best phrase depends on the specific relationship you're describing.

What's the difference between an acquaintance and a friend?

An acquaintance is someone you know casually, while a friend is someone you have a closer, more personal relationship with. You might "make new acquaintances" at a conference, and some of those acquaintances might eventually become friends.