mutual acquaintance

USAGE SUMMARY

"mutual acquaintance" is a common phrase in written English.
It is often used to refer to two or more people who have met each other and are familiar with one another. For example: "John and I had a mutual acquaintance at the party, so we started talking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Through a mutual acquaintance, Tabibian sent him a message.

The New Yorker

But in 1997, she asked a mutual acquaintance about him.

The New York Times

A mutual acquaintance warned me, "He's grumpy and doesn't like dogs".

The New York Times

Ellison, spotting Hughes with a mutual acquaintance in the lobby of the Y, introduced himself.

The New Yorker

He had been following Novak for years and received endorsements through a mutual acquaintance.

The New York Times - Sports

Version one I was introduced to Lady Brittan by a mutual acquaintance in (insert date).

Independent

A mutual acquaintance, the casting director Fred Roos, had already mentioned her name as a possibility.

Independent

The men meet in a bar, introduced by a mutual acquaintance.

The New York Times

The couple met in September 1998 on a blind date set up by a mutual acquaintance.

The New York Times - Style

Initially, Graham had been wary of Crandall, until Crandall mentioned a mutual acquaintance.

The New Yorker

When the time came, Raine ordered a mutual acquaintance to summon me.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When introducing individuals who share a "mutual acquaintance", use this connection as an icebreaker or a point of common ground to facilitate conversation.

Common error

Avoid assuming that because two people have a "mutual acquaintance", they are necessarily comfortable discussing that person or sharing personal information. Gauge the situation and respect boundaries.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mutual acquaintance" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely used to denote a person known by two or more individuals.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mutual acquaintance" is a very common phrase used to describe a person known by two or more people. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its broad applicability and grammatical correctness. It functions as a noun phrase and serves to establish a connection between individuals. While suitable for various contexts, it is most frequently encountered in News & Media. Related phrases include "common friend" and "shared contact". When using the phrase, remember to respect personal boundaries and avoid assumptions based solely on the shared connection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

common friend

Focuses on the friendship aspect of the relationship.

shared contact

Highlights the connection as a point of contact between individuals.

mutual contact

Similar to "shared contact" but emphasizes reciprocity.

connection in common

Emphasizes the shared link between individuals.

person we both know

A more descriptive and explicit alternative.

shared colleague

Specifies the relationship as a professional one.

common associate

A more formal way of saying "mutual acquaintance".

individual known to both of us

A verbose and less common alternative.

party with overlapping social circles

Focuses on the social connections.

link between us

Emphasizes the connective aspect of the person.

FAQs

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

You can use "mutual acquaintance" to describe a person known by two or more individuals, for example, "We discovered we had a "mutual acquaintance" who worked at the same company".

What are some alternatives to "mutual acquaintance"?

Alternatives include "common friend", "shared contact", or "person we both know", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a mutual acquaintance of ours"?

Yes, "a mutual acquaintance of ours" is grammatically correct and commonly used. It clarifies that the acquaintance is shared between the speaker and the listener.

What is the difference between "mutual acquaintance" and "friend of a friend"?

"Mutual acquaintance" implies that both parties know the person directly, while "friend of a friend" suggests a less direct connection. A "mutual acquaintance" creates a stronger sense of shared connection.