new to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "new to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone is unfamiliar with or inexperienced in a particular area or activity. Example: "I am new to this city and still exploring all the different neighborhoods."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm new to this".

The New York Times

"That's new to me.

The New York Times

All new to him.

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm new to it.

The New York Times - Sports

It's just new to me.

The New York Times

"This is new to me.

The New York Times - Sports

It's all new to them.

The New York Times

It's totally new to me.

The New Yorker

"It's all new to me".

The New York Times - Sports

Dummett was new to me.

The New York Times

"I'm very new to it.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "new to", clarify what specifically the subject is unfamiliar with to provide context for your reader.

Common error

Avoid using "new to" when describing something that is innovative or recently created, instead of someone's personal experience with it. For example, instead of saying "This technology is new to the market," consider "This technology is innovative" or "This technology is recently introduced."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "new to" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a state of unfamiliarity or inexperience. It often follows a form of the verb "to be", as seen in Ludwig examples such as "I'm new to this" or "It's new to me."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sports

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "new to" is a common and correct way to express unfamiliarity or inexperience. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically sound and versatile, appearing in diverse contexts like News & Media, Sports, and general conversation. While the phrase maintains a generally neutral to informal tone, it's crucial to provide context when employing "new to" in your writing. For clarity, specify the subject of unfamiliarity to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding. Be cautious not to confuse the phrase's intended meaning with describing something novel. Alternatives such as "unfamiliar with" or "inexperienced in" can be employed in more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfamiliar with

Focuses on a lack of knowledge or acquaintance.

inexperienced with

Highlights a lack of practical skill or knowledge.

fresh to

Suggests recent introduction or exposure.

unaccustomed to

Emphasizes a lack of habituation or prior experience.

unversed in

Emphasizes a lack of knowledge or expertise.

a beginner at

Clearly denotes someone at the early stages of learning.

a novice in

Identifies someone as a beginner or newcomer.

uninitiated in

Implies a lack of formal introduction or training.

just starting out with

Indicates the initial phase of learning or involvement.

green to

Informally suggests naivety and lack of experience.

FAQs

How can I use "new to" in a sentence?

You can use "new to" to indicate unfamiliarity or inexperience. For example, "I am "new to" this city", "She is "new to" the team", or "He's "new to" programming".

What's a more formal way to say "new to"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "unfamiliar with", "inexperienced in", or "a novice in". These options convey a similar meaning with a more professional tone.

Which is correct, "new to" or "new at"?

While both can be used, "new to" is generally preferred when referring to a place, situation, or concept. "New at" is more commonly used when referring to a skill or activity. For example, "new to the city" versus "new at coding".

What can I say instead of "I'm new to this"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "I'm "unfamiliar with this"", "I'm "just starting out"", or "This is "all new to me"".