our friends

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "our friends" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a group of people with whom you have a friendly relationship. Example: "We invited our friends over for dinner this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Our friends.

The New Yorker

But our friends?

Independent

That is, our friends.

The New Yorker

They're our friends.

The New York Times

Our friends aren't different".

The New Yorker

"They were both our friends".

The New York Times - Sports

Jellyfish are not our friends.

The New Yorker

"He's one of our friends".

The New York Times

Sometimes they're our friends.

The Guardian

Insects are our friends.

The New York Times - Magazine

It confuses our friends.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "our friends", consider the audience and context to ensure the level of formality aligns with expectations. For a casual setting, it's perfectly appropriate. In a formal report, consider "our colleagues" or "associates" for a more professional tone.

Common error

While "our friends" is generally acceptable, avoid using it excessively in formal writing. Opt for more professional terms like "colleagues" or "associates" in business or academic settings to maintain an appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "our friends" functions as a possessive determiner ("our") modifying a common noun ("friends"). As Ludwig AI suggests, it denotes a group of people with whom the speaker or writer shares a friendly relationship. The examples show it used across diverse contexts, indicating its broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "our friends" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to refer to people with whom one has a friendly relationship. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is appropriate across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it maintains a generally neutral register, alternatives like "colleagues" or "associates" might be more suitable for formal settings. Common errors include overuse in professional contexts, where a more formal tone is expected. When using "our friends", consider your audience and the level of formality required. The numerous examples in Ludwig demonstrates its wide applicability, reinforcing its role in everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

our companions

This alternative is slightly more formal than "our friends".

those close to us

This alternative highlights the emotional closeness of the relationship.

our buddies

This alternative is more informal and familiar than "our friends".

our circle of friends

This alternative emphasizes the group aspect of the friendly relationships.

our pals

This alternative is an informal synonym, common in certain dialects.

the people we hang out with

This alternative emphasizes the activity of spending time together.

our acquaintances

This alternative suggests a less intimate relationship than "our friends".

our social circle

This alternative broadens the scope beyond just friends to include other social connections.

the people we know

This alternative is a more descriptive and less direct way of referring to "our friends".

our close associates

This alternative suggests a slightly more formal or professional connection.

FAQs

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

In professional or academic contexts, consider using terms like "our colleagues", "our associates", or "our peers" instead of "our friends" to maintain a formal tone.

Is "our friends" appropriate for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "our friends" might be too informal for academic writing. It's better to use terms like "our colleagues" or "our fellow researchers" in such contexts.

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

You can use "our friends" to refer to people with whom you have a friendly relationship. For example, "We invited "our friends" over for a barbecue this weekend."

What's the difference between "our friends" and "our acquaintances"?

"Our friends" implies a closer, more personal relationship, while "our acquaintances" refers to people you know but are not necessarily close to. The distinction lies in the level of intimacy and connection.