someone we both know

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "someone we both know" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a mutual acquaintance in a conversation or narrative. Example: "I was talking to someone we both know about the upcoming event, and they mentioned you might be interested in attending."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

To make the best investment decisions I want to see as many deals as I can but the traditional method of companies contacting me by email, usually referred through someone we both know, imposes a non-trivial amount of overhead in that each intro then requires a followup – which is most often to politely decline – and which requires care to avoid offending any of the parties involved.

TechCrunch

He doesn't waste time with trash, but sent it on to me, so I could see the kind of garbage that was being passed around by someone we both know.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He was a stranger to me, an old friend of someone we both knew.

The New York Times - Magazine

Is he marrying someone we know?

BBC

I was starting to get to a place where I was thinking about finding someone to date myself, and we both knew that things were probably winding down.

Vice

Mostly, doormen say, it's knowing someone or knowing someone who knows someone who knows someone.

The New York Times

If I have never known Aristotle, but am speaking with someone who did know him, we can both be taken to be using a proper name when we utter the word 'Aristotle'.

SEP

Know someone we should add?

HuffPost

Someone will know someone who knows someone who is looking for someone, and that very well could be you.

The New York Times

The idea was that someone would know someone who knew someone who could locate Gillis.

The New Yorker

Compliment someone you barely know.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "someone we both know" to create a sense of familiarity and shared understanding with your audience, especially in informal communication.

Common error

Avoid using "someone we both know" in professional or academic writing. Opt for more formal alternatives like "a mutual acquaintance" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "someone we both know" functions primarily as a noun phrase that identifies an individual. It's used to establish a shared reference point in a conversation, assuming the listener recognizes the person being mentioned. Ludwig AI confirms this is a valid and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

8%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "someone we both know" is a grammatically sound phrase used to refer to a mutual acquaintance, primarily in informal settings. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. While effective for establishing common ground, it's important to consider the context and opt for more formal alternatives like "a mutual acquaintance" in professional or academic writing. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources. Using "someone we both know" allows for creation of familiarity between individuals who may or may not know each other that well.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a mutual acquaintance

More formal and direct way to refer to someone known by both parties.

a shared contact

Emphasizes the connection as a point of contact rather than a personal relationship.

an acquaintance we have in common

Highlights the shared connection but implies a less intimate relationship.

someone we know jointly

Focuses on the shared knowledge of the person.

a person familiar to us both

Formal and slightly indirect.

someone known by both of us

More descriptive and less idiomatic.

a connection we share

Highlights professional or social connection.

a common friend

Implies a closer relationship with the individual.

a person we both are acquainted with

Very formal and a bit verbose.

someone from our circle

Indicates a shared social environment or group.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "someone we both know"?

The phrase "someone we both know" is appropriate in informal settings when referring to a person familiar to both the speaker and the listener, creating a sense of shared context.

What are some alternatives to "someone we both know"?

You can use alternatives like "a mutual acquaintance", "a shared contact", or "a common friend" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "someone we both know" grammatically correct?

Yes, "someone we both know" is grammatically correct and follows standard English sentence structure. It's a common and acceptable phrase in spoken and written language.

How can I use "someone we both know" in a sentence?

You might say, "I heard from "a mutual acquaintance" that you're planning a trip" or "Did you know "a mutual acquaintance" is getting married?"