student of mine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "student of mine" is correct and usable in written English.
You would use it to refer to a student of yours who is currently attending the institution you are employed by or who has attended the institution in the past. For example, "One of my former students, a student of mine, has been accepted to medical school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Jason was once a student of mine at Harvard.

The New York Times

Lisa Doyle Giacomelli, a former English student of mine now teaching at Wilmington, N.C.

The New York Times

A student of mine who desperately wanted to be a hairdresser taught me an important lesson.

The Guardian

Plain and simple: I adored this kid, this student of mine.

The New Yorker

It will take five years for a graduate student of mine to get a PhD".

The Guardian - Business

A fellow PhD student of mine went to relieve himself behind a bush.

The Guardian

"The family of a student of mine had a small restaurant that sold carnitas (pork).

The Guardian

A student of mine, Ashley Jones, said tornadoes seem like a distant myth, and she's lived here all her life.

The New York Times

Found out a former student of mine from Grantsburg was one of the 4 Marines killed in TN.

Independent

"Liz Cheney is a former student of mine — I don't know what moves her on this thing," he said.

The New York Times

A bright former Egyptian student of mine explained why he was settling permanently in the US.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a specific accomplishment or trait, follow "student of mine" with a descriptive clause to highlight the student's qualities or achievements (e.g., "A student of mine, Mary Ann, who knew I would be interested, showed me her recently purchased car.").

Common error

Avoid using "student of mine" to refer to someone you simply know who happens to be a student. Reserve it for individuals with whom you have a formal or recognized teacher-student relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "student of mine" functions as a possessive phrase, indicating a relationship between the speaker (teacher or instructor) and the student. It often introduces a specific attribute, achievement, or story related to that student. As Ludwig AI highlights, it’s a correct and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "student of mine" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to indicate a student with whom the speaker has a teaching relationship. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it serves to establish a personal connection, often leading to an anecdote, accomplishment, or observation. While appropriate across various contexts, from news and media to academia, it's essential to reserve it for situations where a formal teacher-student relationship exists and avoid using it for general acquaintances. Remember to use descriptive clauses after the phrase to give more information about the student. This guide equips you with the knowledge to confidently and effectively use the expression "student of mine".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

My former student

Specifies a past relationship, implying the student is no longer under direct instruction.

A student I used to teach

Highlights the past teaching relationship.

One of my pupils

Uses a slightly more formal term for student.

A student I mentored

Emphasizes a mentorship role beyond simple teaching.

Someone I taught

A more general way of referring to someone you instructed.

A protégé of mine

Suggests a closer, more developmental relationship with the student.

A mentee of mine

Focuses solely on the mentorship aspect of the relationship.

One of the students under my guidance

Highlights the guiding role played by the speaker.

A student from my class

Indicates the student attended a specific class taught by the speaker.

A learner I instructed

Uses a more formal term (learner) and emphasizes the act of instruction.

FAQs

How can I use "student of mine" in a sentence?

You can use "student of mine" to refer to someone you currently teach or have taught in the past. For example, "A "student of mine" just got accepted into a prestigious university."

What's a formal alternative to "student of mine"?

For a more formal context, consider using "one of my former students" or "a protégé of mine" depending on the relationship. "My former student" implies a past teaching relationship, while "a protégé of mine" suggests a mentorship role.

Is it correct to say "pupil of mine" instead of "student of mine"?

"Pupil of mine" is grammatically correct but sounds more formal and less common in contemporary usage. It's best suited for contexts where a traditional or classical tone is desired, while "student of mine" is more widely applicable.

What's the difference between "student of mine" and "my student"?

"Student of mine" emphasizes the personal connection and relationship you have with the student, while "my student" is a more direct and possessive way of referring to someone you teach. The nuance is subtle, but "student of mine" can imply a closer, more personal bond.