old friends

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "old friends" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to friends you have known for a long time. Example: "I met up with some old friends from high school." Alternative expressions include "longtime friends" and "dear friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Old Friends Old friends?

The New York Times

Old friends.

The New York Times - Books

We are old friends.

The New Yorker

Like old friends.

The New York Times

"These are old friends.

The New York Times - Arts

Hello, old friends.

The New Yorker

Connect with old friends.

The New York Times

See old friends.

Harvard University

Old friends have been calling.

The New York Times

Mentions old friends he met.

The New Yorker

Your old friends know better".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "old friends" to convey a sense of shared history, familiarity, and established trust in your writing. It's particularly effective when emphasizing the longevity and depth of a relationship.

Common error

Avoid using "old friends" in highly formal or professional writing where a more neutral term like "longtime associates" or "established colleagues" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "old friends" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "old" modifies the noun "friends". It typically acts as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence, referring to people with whom one has a long-standing relationship. As noted by Ludwig, it's a common expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

17%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "old friends" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to describe long-standing relationships. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and high frequency across various contexts. While generally neutral in register, it may be less suitable for highly formal settings. When writing, use it to convey shared history and familiarity. As noted by Ludwig, related phrases include "longtime companions" and "life-long buddies". Remember to consider the specific context when using this phrase to ensure its appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

life-long buddies

Highlights a deep and lasting friendship.

longtime companions

Emphasizes the duration of the friendship or companionship.

old-time confidants

Emphasizes the trust and intimacy shared in the friendship.

established acquaintances

Highlights the recognition and duration of the acquaintance.

early acquaintances

Focuses on friendships made early in life.

long-standing colleagues

Focuses on relationships developed through professional associations.

long-remembered comrades

Focuses on shared experiences and memories, particularly in challenging circumstances.

childhood pals

Specifically refers to friendships formed during childhood.

former classmates

Highlights relationships originating from educational settings.

long-term associates

Focuses on relationships in a business or professional context.

FAQs

How can I use "old friends" in a sentence?

You can use "old friends" to describe people you have known for a long time. For example, "It was great catching up with some "longtime companions" from college."

What's a more formal alternative to "old friends"?

In formal settings, consider using phrases like "established acquaintances" or "long-term associates" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to call someone an "old friend"?

While generally acceptable, consider the context. If you haven't spoken to someone in many years, referring to them as an "old friend" might be inaccurate or presumptuous. In such cases, describing them as a "former classmates" or "early acquaintances" might be more suitable.

What feeling does the phrase "old friends" evoke?

The phrase "old friends" typically evokes feelings of nostalgia, comfort, and familiarity. It suggests a bond that has been tested by time and shared experiences. Describing someone as a "life-long buddies" can strengthen this feeling.