mate of mine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mate of mine" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a friend or companion in a casual or informal context. Example: "I ran into a mate of mine at the coffee shop yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

He's a mate of mine".

The Guardian - Film

She's a mate of mine.

The Guardian

One mate of mine is real honest.

The Guardian - Sport

He's a mate of mine, Ben.

The Guardian

Ian Rickson's a great mate of mine.

The Guardian

Tino: Through her brother Stephen, who was a dorm mate of mine.

The New York Times

"I did a week in Lourdes with a mate of mine.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

"I know him really well and he was a team-mate of mine at Barloworld.

The Guardian - Sport

I've gone to defend a team-mate of mine because it seemed a very tough tackle.

The Guardian - Sport

I met Ivor Taylor there, father of Lion Mark and a former team-mate of mine at Pontypool.

The Guardian - Sport

"Hey, that Hugh looks like Ivan, doesn't he? Hugh, you look just like an old school-mate of mine".

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mate of mine" in informal contexts, such as casual conversations or personal writing. It adds a friendly and relatable tone.

Common error

Avoid using "mate of mine" in formal or professional writing. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "colleague of mine" or "associate of mine" for a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mate of mine" functions as a possessive phrase, indicating a relationship of friendship or camaraderie. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and commonly used. It acts as a determiner, specifying the noun it modifies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mate of mine" is a grammatically sound and very common way to refer to a friend, especially in informal settings. As Ludwig highlights, it's widely accepted and understood. While highly suitable for casual conversations and personal writing, it should be used with caution in more formal or professional contexts. Alternatives like "friend of mine" or "colleague of mine" might be more appropriate in such situations. With a strong presence in news and media, its usage is indicative of its familiarity in everyday language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

friend of mine

Replaces "mate" with the more generic term "friend".

one of my friends

Offers a more descriptive, less direct way of referring to a friend.

buddy of mine

Substitutes "mate" with "buddy", implying a close, informal friendship.

pal of mine

Uses "pal" instead of "mate", another informal term for a friend.

a friend that I know

Rephrases the relationship in a more explanatory manner.

a person I'm friendly with

Describes the relationship in terms of friendliness, rather than direct association.

someone I know well

Highlights the depth of the relationship, suggesting familiarity.

associate of mine

Replaces "mate" with "associate", suggesting a more formal or distant relationship.

acquaintance of mine

Indicates a less close relationship than "mate", implying a casual connection.

colleague of mine

Specifies a professional relationship, where the person is a workmate.

FAQs

What does "mate of mine" mean?

The phrase "mate of mine" is an informal way of saying "friend of mine". It's commonly used in British and Australian English.

When is it appropriate to use "mate of mine"?

Use "mate of mine" in casual conversation, informal writing, or when addressing someone you know well. It's suitable for relaxed settings.

Are there any alternatives to "mate of mine"?

Yes, alternatives include "friend of mine", "buddy of mine", or "pal of mine", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "mate of mine" grammatically correct?

Yes, "mate of mine" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard possessive construction in English.