our acquaintance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "our acquaintance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a relationship or familiarity with someone, typically in a formal or polite context. Example: "I hope to deepen our acquaintance during this conference and learn more about your work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then O'Connor sang "The Last Day of Our Acquaintance".

The New Yorker

However our acquaintance started, my first clear memory of Ted is connected with a book.

The New Yorker

A sorehead of our acquaintance writes: Rubbish, claptrap, blather, and mush!

The New Yorker

The first person to make our acquaintance there was the village policeman.

The New York Times

Comment about a Saturday morning of a woman of our acquaintance.

The New Yorker

With a certain sheepishness, we both acknowledged our acquaintance in that distant past.

The Guardian - Books

"I find myself compromised by our acquaintance as you are to be married to a Mingott".

The Guardian - Books

We renewed our acquaintance from all the "Saturday Night Live" times I had spoken to her.

The New Yorker

Bets Our acquaintance swears he isn't now & never has been Klaus.

The New Yorker

He was the least "cool" guy imaginable; he seemed awkward, almost embarrassed to make our acquaintance.

The New Yorker

Talk story about 3 ladies of our acquaintance who motored recently across Maryland and Pennsylvania to the New Jersey shore.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "our acquaintance" when referring to a formal or professional relationship, especially when the connection is not particularly close or intimate.

Common error

Avoid using "our acquaintance" in highly informal or personal settings. Opt for terms like "our friendship" or "how we met" for a more natural fit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "our acquaintance" functions primarily as a possessive noun phrase, referring to the connection or familiarity between two or more people. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "our acquaintance" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase, particularly within news media and academic circles. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples showcasing its usage in formal or professional contexts. While alternatives like "our relationship" and "our association" exist, "our acquaintance" uniquely captures a level of familiarity without implying deep personal connection. Therefore, it is most fitting for professional environments or when describing initial or less intimate relationships.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

our association

Focuses on the connection or involvement shared.

our connection

Highlights a link or bond between individuals.

our relationship

Emphasizes the bond and interaction between people.

our professional connection

Highlights that the relationship is work-related or related to profession.

our brief encounter

Highlights the short and casual nature of meeting.

how we know each other

A more direct and descriptive way to refer to the basis of their relationship.

the nature of our association

Refers to the kind or type of the relationship.

the scope of our interaction

Refers to the breadth or extent of activity or communication between parts.

our degree of familiarity

Emphasizes the depth of knowledge or understanding each person has of the other.

how long we've known each other

Specifies duration of the familiarity.

FAQs

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

You might say, "Our acquaintance began at a conference," or "I value "our acquaintance greatly" for your insights."

What can I say instead of "our acquaintance"?

Alternatives include "our relationship", "our association", or, for less formal contexts, "how we know each other".

Is it correct to say "my acquaintance" instead of "our acquaintance"?

While "my acquaintance" is grammatically correct, it refers to someone you know, as in "He is my acquaintance." "Our acquaintance" refers to the relationship between you and another person.

What's the difference between "our acquaintance" and "our friendship"?

"Our acquaintance" suggests a more formal or less intimate connection, while "our friendship" implies a closer, more personal bond.