our familiarity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "our familiarity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the level of knowledge or experience that one has with someone or something. Example: "Our familiarity with the subject matter allowed us to engage in a more meaningful discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

For Spinoza, our familiarity with a phenomenon does not render it intelligible, and the familiar, just like the extraordinary, demands a clear causal explanation.

SEP

It's our familiarity with the amiable Yorkshireman.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

And only our familiarity with it and sheer inertia prevent us from rising up in rebellion".

The New York Times - Tech

Nor is our familiarity with fairy tales enough to make any of these figures whole.

The New Yorker

Even as our familiarity with death increased, that soft lighting would glow on undimmed.

The Guardian - Film

STILL, we persevered, guided by the river's excellent navigation buoys, shore landmarks and our familiarity with the area.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

But "For Immediate Release," a great recent "Mad Men" episode, demonstrated that it's possible to use our long relationship with a show and our deep familiarity with its characters to great advantage.

Huffington Post

The range of different terminology used in this field is significant, and our choice of search terms was based on our existing familiarity with the literature.

BMC Medical Ethics

On the basis of our growing familiarity with clinical study reports, we designed and piloted a data extraction sheet to record how our understanding of the trials changed in the light of the availability of the additional appendices.

BMJ Open

And there is a strong argument that our new familiarity with players from every corner of the globe has lessened the impact of the tournament generally.

The New Yorker

"I felt that a new and concentrated version of 'Hamlet' could freshen and bring to the surface things that have gotten partly buried through our great familiarity with the play," Mr. Brook said recently.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Leverage "our familiarity" to establish common ground with your audience, creating a sense of shared understanding and connection.

Common error

Avoid using "our familiarity" when referring to something the audience is unlikely to know well. This can create a sense of disconnect and undermine credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "our familiarity" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes a state of shared knowledge or understanding between a group of people, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "our familiarity" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate shared knowledge or understanding. Ludwig provides ample examples across diverse sources, confirming its widespread use in news, science, and encyclopedia contexts. While seemingly simple, it's crucial to use the phrase thoughtfully, ensuring the intended audience truly shares the implied understanding. Alternatives like "our understanding" or "our knowledge" can offer more specific connotations when appropriate. Ultimately, mastery of "our familiarity" can strengthen clarity in writing and strengthen a sense of connection with readers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

our knowledge

Highlights the information or skills acquired through experience or education.

our understanding

Emphasizes a grasp or comprehension of something, rather than mere acquaintance.

our grasp

Indicates a firm understanding or control of something.

our insight

Highlights a deep understanding of a complex issue or situation.

our awareness

Highlights consciousness or perception of something, differing slightly from active knowledge.

our expertise

Focuses on specialized knowledge or skill in a particular area.

our perception

Emphasizes how something is interpreted or understood.

our experience

Focuses on direct involvement or exposure, rather than just knowing about something.

our command

Indicates a comprehensive understanding and ability to use something effectively.

our acquaintance

Suggests a superficial level of knowing, less in-depth than "familiarity".

FAQs

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

You can use "our familiarity" to refer to a shared knowledge or understanding of something. For example, "Our familiarity with the software allowed us to troubleshoot the problem quickly."

What phrases are similar to "our familiarity"?

Alternatives to "our familiarity" include "our understanding", "our awareness", or "our knowledge" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "our familiarity" or "we are familiar with"?

Both "our familiarity" and "we are familiar with" are correct, but "our familiarity" is more concise when referring to a shared understanding as a noun. "We are familiar with" is better when you want to emphasize the action of knowing something.

What does it mean when someone says "our familiarity breeds contempt"?

The expression "familiarity breeds contempt" means that the more we experience something, the less impressive or special it becomes to us over time. It suggests that repeated exposure can diminish appreciation.