such familiar

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "such familiar" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly as "familiar" is an adjective that should be preceded by "so" or "very" instead of "such." Example: "I find it so familiar to hear that song again."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Others, though, depart from such familiar models.

The New York Times - Arts

Such familiar slips, and how we handle them, are the stealth subjects of Sacks' latest book.

The New York Times - Books

Gone are such familiar standbys as dolmades, hummus, and charcoal-grilled fish.

The New Yorker

The cast includes such familiar names as Bebe Neuwirth, Lili Taylor and Tom Conti.

The New York Times - Arts

Jansons makes such familiar works gleam through his pinpoint control of dynamics.

The Guardian - Music

So what are such familiar, quintessentially British, species doing so far from home?

The Guardian

In reply, Senator Robb relishes the choice voters will face between two such familiar, experienced politicians.

The New York Times

His listeners favorites are such familiar Lehr phrases as "Look who's shpoking! and "Sometimes your eyes can't believe your pupils".

The New Yorker

Mr. Grassley added that "it seems surprising that Mr. Eisman was on such familiar terms" with the agency official.

The New York Times

Future foreign visitors will find new hotels with such familiar names as Four Seasons, Grand Hyatt and Mandarin Oriental.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

If it were a new clash, Dower believes, American leaders would not have been recycling such familiar tropes.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for grammatical precision, replace "such familiar" with "so familiar" or "very familiar" to ensure your writing aligns with standard English conventions.

Common error

Avoid using "such" directly before adjectives like "familiar". "Such" is typically used before a noun or a noun phrase (e.g. "such a familiar face"). To modify an adjective, use "so" or "very" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "such familiar" functions as a modifier, attempting to intensify the adjective "familiar". However, as Ludwig AI indicates, this construction is grammatically incorrect in standard English, where "so" or "very" should be used instead.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

25%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "such familiar" is frequently encountered across various sources, including news, science, and academic texts, it's important to recognize that it deviates from standard English grammar. As Ludwig AI points out, using "so familiar" or "very familiar" is grammatically correct. Despite its prevalence, especially in news and media, opting for grammatically sound alternatives enhances clarity and precision, particularly in formal or professional contexts. When aiming to express a high degree of recognition, remember that while "such familiar" might convey the intended meaning, "so familiar" or "very familiar" will do so with greater grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

so familiar

Replaces "such" with "so" to adhere to standard English grammar rules for modifying adjectives.

very familiar

Substitutes "such" with "very", offering a grammatically correct way to intensify the adjective "familiar".

quite familiar

Uses "quite" to express a similar degree of familiarity in a grammatically sound manner.

well-known

Replaces "familiar" with "well-known", providing a synonym that captures the sense of widespread recognition.

commonly known

Employs "commonly known" as an alternative, emphasizing the broad awareness of something.

widely recognized

Offers "widely recognized" as a substitute, highlighting the extensive acknowledgment of a subject.

generally accepted

Utilizes "generally accepted" to indicate a common understanding or belief.

universally acknowledged

Replaces with "universally acknowledged", denoting near-total agreement or recognition.

intimately acquainted

Uses "intimately acquainted" to convey a deeper, more personal level of familiarity.

closely acquainted

Substitutes with "closely acquainted", indicating a strong level of familiarity through close interaction.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "familiar" in a sentence with an intensifier?

To correctly intensify the adjective "familiar", use "so" or "very" instead of "such". For example, say "so familiar" or "very familiar" rather than "such familiar".

What are some alternatives to using "such familiar" that are grammatically correct?

Consider using alternatives like "so familiar", "very familiar", or "quite familiar". These options are grammatically sound and maintain a similar meaning.

Is it ever correct to use "such" before an adjective?

"Such" is generally used before a noun or noun phrase, not directly before an adjective. For instance, you would say "such a nice day" but "so nice" or "very nice".

Why is "such familiar" considered grammatically questionable?

The word "such" typically modifies a noun or noun phrase, not an adjective directly. Using "so" or "very" before "familiar" is the grammatically accepted way to intensify the adjective.