perfectly familiar

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "perfectly familiar" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is completely known or recognized by someone, often in a context where familiarity is emphasized. Example: "The song played on the radio was perfectly familiar, reminding me of my childhood summers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

McCoist and Lennon are perfectly familiar with their working environments.

The Guardian - Sport

Grudges, superstition, a belief in charms and otherworldly spirits: all this seems perfectly familiar.

The Guardian - Books

I do a little tour, ticking off the places that have become so perfectly familiar to fans of the podcast.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Still, the man who signed Henrik Larsson and has held a long-time association with Feyenoord would be perfectly familiar with the environment he entered.

The Guardian - Sport

The world he inhabits is one that will seem perfectly familiar to readers of Wolf Hall: courtly, treacherous and full of people having their heads chopped off with axes.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

What you taste is a drink that is perfectly familiar, and then unfamiliar in a familiar way, as though you were enjoying a favorite but had never had one perfectly well made before.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

The 12 musicians onstage gel so perfectly that familiar songs take on a new life, their emotional impact amplified way beyond the recorded versions.

The Guardian - Music

There is a similar blending of Asian delicacy and Western urban urgency in the music of Gavin Bryars and Annie Gosfield, in a score that also mixes the new with the perfectly chosen familiar, beginning with Bartok's Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta and ending with Ives's "Unanswered Question".

The New York Times

This story, like many of Cheever's finest, begins with a familiar, perfectly normal upper-middle-class situation — in this case, the family-man protagonist Johnny Hake is broke and feels the pinch — and swiftly escalates it, without pause or comment, to a series of absurd, dangerous, and desperate decisions.

The New Yorker

It's totally familiar and perfectly fine, if in many cases aggressively salted; the steak was less crusted than cured ($24).

The New York Times - Food

Its 11 tracks remain largely within the Glaswegian cutie icons' already familiar style: perfectly pleasant country-folk and twee, 1960s-derived indie-pop that will appeal hugely to the faithful.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "perfectly familiar" when you want to emphasize the completeness and ease of recognition of something, implying that it is thoroughly known and understood by a particular audience. For instance, 'The concept of democracy is perfectly familiar to citizens of the United States.'

Common error

Avoid using "perfectly familiar" to describe something that is inherently obvious or universally known, as this can make your writing sound redundant. Instead, reserve it for situations where the familiarity is specific to a group or requires a certain level of expertise. For example, instead of saying "Breathing is perfectly familiar to everyone", consider using it when referring to specialized knowledge within a field.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "perfectly familiar" functions as an adverb-adjective combination modifying a noun or concept. It describes the extent to which something is known or recognized. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37.5%

Wiki

6.25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "perfectly familiar" is a correct and commonly used adverb-adjective combination that emphasizes the thoroughness and ease of recognition associated with something. As supported by Ludwig, its use spans various contexts, from News & Media to Science, making it versatile for both formal and informal communication. When using "perfectly familiar", consider whether the context already implies complete knowledge, and choose it judiciously to enhance clarity without redundancy. Alternatives like "completely known" and "well-recognized" can offer subtle variations in meaning. Avoid overusing it in inherently obvious situations to maintain writing quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely known

Emphasizes the completeness of knowledge, rather than the familiarity.

entirely known

Similar to 'completely known' but with a slightly more formal tone.

well-recognized

Highlights the ease with which something is identified.

thoroughly acquainted

Focuses on the depth of understanding and experience.

easily identified

Focuses on the simplicity of recognition.

intimately acquainted

Suggests a very close and personal level of familiarity.

fully conversant

Implies a command of the subject matter.

readily apparent

Indicates that something is obvious and easily understood.

well-versed

Similar to 'fully conversant', indicating a deep understanding.

patently obvious

Emphasizes the clarity and lack of ambiguity.

FAQs

How can I use "perfectly familiar" in a sentence?

You can use "perfectly familiar" to describe something that is completely known or easily recognized. For example, "The melody was perfectly familiar, evoking memories of her childhood."

What are some alternatives to "perfectly familiar"?

Alternatives include "completely known", "entirely known", or "well-recognized", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to use "perfectly familiar"?

While generally acceptable, using "perfectly familiar" can be redundant if the context already implies complete knowledge or recognition. Choose your words carefully to avoid unnecessary repetition.

What's the difference between "perfectly familiar" and "somewhat familiar"?

"Perfectly familiar" suggests complete and thorough knowledge, while "somewhat familiar" indicates a partial or incomplete understanding. The choice depends on the degree of recognition or understanding you wish to convey.