not so familiar

USAGE SUMMARY

"not so familiar" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone, or something, is not well known or familiar to you. For example, "I'm not so familiar with the work of that author."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Not so familiar with Mac.

University of California, Berkeley

Yet in other respects, the attack is not so familiar.

The New Yorker

But then come the subtexts that are not so familiar.

The New York Times

Some of the stories are familiar, some not so familiar.

The New York Times

The Willys name is not so familiar these days.

The New York Times

How do you bring your philosophy to dancers you're not so familiar with?

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Some not-so-familiar creatures, like the legless, burrowing caecilians, are also amphibians.

University of California, Berkeley

"We're making it sizzle with very interesting repertory: a combination of familiar and not-so-familiar works," he said.

The New York Times

Everybody seemed to recognize Mr. Stringer, who had come to introduce the not-so-familiar Mr. de Blasio.

The New York Times

And yet, within the neat rows of familiar and not-so-familiar names, a fully rounded representation of the beautiful game is hidden.

The Guardian - Tech

Newton's second law of motion can be stated in not-so-familiar form as impulse equals change in momentum, where impulse is force multiplied by the time during which it acts.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not so familiar", ensure the context clearly indicates what is lacking familiarity. For example, specify "not so familiar with the software" rather than just "not so familiar".

Common error

While acceptable, "not so familiar" can sound informal. In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "relatively unknown" or "less acquainted with" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not so familiar" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of limited knowledge or experience. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common and correct way to express unfamiliarity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

24%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not so familiar" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate a limited degree of knowledge or experience. As Ludwig AI states, it is perfectly correct for written English. Appearing commonly in news, academic, and scientific contexts, it conveys a neutral tone, making it versatile for various writing styles. When using "not so familiar", remember to provide clear context for what's lacking familiarity. Alternatives such as "relatively unknown" or "less acquainted with" can be employed for more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relatively unknown

Emphasizes the lack of widespread knowledge about something.

scarcely known

Emphasizes the rarity or infrequency of knowledge about something.

not widely recognized

Focuses on the absence of broad acknowledgement or acceptance.

somewhat obscure

Highlights the ambiguous or indistinct nature of something, making it less recognizable.

less acquainted with

Implies a lower level of personal experience or knowledge.

not conversant with

Suggests a lack of familiarity regarding a subject matter, to the point of being unable to easily discuss it.

not deeply versed in

Highlights a lack of thorough or specialized knowledge.

unaccustomed to

Implies a lack of experience or adaptation to something.

vaguely aware of

Suggests a superficial understanding or limited knowledge.

new to me

Indicates that something is recently encountered and therefore unfamiliar to the speaker.

FAQs

How can I use "not so familiar" in a sentence?

You can use "not so familiar" to indicate a lack of deep knowledge or experience. For example, "I am "not so familiar" with the intricacies of quantum physics" or "The audience may be "not so familiar" with this composer's earlier works".

What are some alternatives to "not so familiar"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "not so familiar" include "relatively unknown", "somewhat obscure", or "not widely recognized".

Is it grammatically correct to use "not so familiar"?

Yes, "not so familiar" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both spoken and written English. It's a generally accepted phrase for indicating a lack of deep understanding or acquaintance with something.

What's the difference between "not so familiar" and "unfamiliar"?

"Unfamiliar" implies a complete lack of knowledge, while "not so familiar" suggests a partial or incomplete understanding. For example, saying "I'm unfamiliar with this software" indicates you've never used it, while "I'm "not so familiar" with it" means you've used it but don't know it well.