passing familiarity

USAGE SUMMARY

"passing familiarity" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a level of knowledge or understanding that is not extensive but exists to some degree. Example: Despite having only a passing familiarity with the subject, the new employee was able to complete the task successfully with the help of his colleagues. Here, "passing familiarity" suggests that the employee had some basic knowledge or understanding of the subject, but not enough to complete the task without assistance.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

It was "more like passing familiarity," Mr. Furse says, which represented "a big challenge".

The New York Times

Barneys is also gaining a new owner with more than a passing familiarity with fashion.

The New York Times

"I'm not a drug addict, baby," Mr. Semancik said Sunday, though he acknowledged a passing familiarity with marijuana.

The New York Times

Anybody with a passing familiarity with DeForge's unsettling, vividly beautiful comics will know that this is a deceptively simple summation.

The Guardian - Books

The setting is a satirical melange of X-Men, Harry Potter and teen dramas like Degrassi, all of which Tamaki cheerfully admits only passing familiarity with.

The Guardian - Books

And as anyone with even passing familiarity with his books "The Zombie Survival Guide" and "World War Z" knows, the biggest risk in a zombie invasion is fluid loss from all that running.

The New York Times - Magazine

Anyone with a passing familiarity with postwar American art would have been able to identify them across a football field as the work of John Chamberlain, who has almost singlehandedly given automotive metal a place in the history of sculpture.

The New York Times - Arts

The thing that really impresses me about this grid in particular is Mr. Steinberg's apparent knowledge of, or at least passing familiarity with, pop culture references from a wide range of eras that most people his age might filter out.

The New York Times

As their writer begins to fumble into sexual relationships, many of the pieces here are anxious aphorisms about desire and discomfort­, which will hardly come as a shock to anyone with a passing familiarity with Dunham's work.

The Guardian

It is only as children that we imagine them to be treasures, because most sentient adults have some passing familiarity with the iconic malevolence of those things we try to bury.

The New York Times

By the time a song with its own dance, well-known to anyone with a passing familiarity with MTV, came on during intermission — "Crank That," by Soulja Boy — the music and his own nerves had gotten to him.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "passing familiarity" when you want to indicate that someone has a basic understanding of a topic, but not in-depth expertise. It's useful to set expectations about the level of knowledge the person has.

Common error

Avoid using "passing familiarity" if the person has no knowledge of the subject at all. Instead, use phrases like "no knowledge" or "unfamiliar with". "Passing familiarity" implies at least some minimal level of understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passing familiarity" functions as a noun phrase acting as the object of a preposition or verb, indicating a limited or superficial understanding of a subject. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Wiki

2%

TechCrunch

4%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "passing familiarity" is a common phrase used to describe a superficial or basic understanding of a subject. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely accepted. It frequently appears in news and media contexts and is suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, ensure that the level of knowledge is accurately represented; it implies some understanding, not a complete lack of knowledge. Consider using alternative phrases like "slight acquaintance" or "basic awareness" to fine-tune your description.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight acquaintance

Indicates a minimal level of knowledge, focusing on a superficial connection rather than deep understanding.

basic awareness

Emphasizes the presence of fundamental knowledge without implying expertise.

superficial knowledge

Highlights the lack of depth in understanding, focusing on surface-level information.

limited understanding

Directly points out the restricted scope of comprehension.

casual awareness

Suggests an informal and not particularly engaged level of knowing.

rudimentary grasp

Implies an initial and basic level of comprehension, suitable for beginners.

nodding acquaintance

Suggests a very slight or superficial knowing, often by sight or name only.

working knowledge

Implies a practical understanding sufficient for basic operation or application.

general sense

Indicates a broad, non-specific understanding of something.

vague notion

Suggests an unclear or imprecise understanding.

FAQs

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

You can use "passing familiarity" to indicate a basic level of knowledge. For example, "He has a passing familiarity with the software, so he'll need some training."

What's the difference between "passing familiarity" and "expertise"?

"Passing familiarity" implies a basic understanding, while expertise suggests a deep and comprehensive knowledge of a subject.

What can I say instead of "passing familiarity"?

You can use alternatives like "basic awareness", "slight acquaintance", or "superficial knowledge" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "passing familiarity" in formal writing?

Yes, "passing familiarity" is appropriate in formal writing when you need to describe a limited understanding of a topic.