utterly familiar with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly familiar with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a deep or complete knowledge of a subject or situation. Example: "After years of studying the subject, I am utterly familiar with the intricacies of quantum physics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

On a European tour at 17, she said she immediately felt "utterly familiar" with England, even though it was her first visit.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

THE play is utterly familiar, a perfect marriage of form and content, with some of the most famous lines in English comedy.

The New York Times

And yet it's all utterly familiar.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They are always here, utterly familiar and completely unknown.

The New York Times

It is utterly familiar, yet something most of us only eat on Shrove Tuesday.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Its devotion to the art of performance exalts an utterly familiar and unchallenging style of performance.

The New Yorker

Moreover, the two parties are about to run utterly familiar political campaigns.

The New York Times

She was this creature who was so utterly familiar to me, unlike every other Hollywood star.

The New York Times - Arts

"Birdman," a movie about acting, celebrates an utterly familiar and unchallenging idea of acting, in approach, style, and theatrical ethic.

The New Yorker

Yet the grammar of Costa's sponsorship and presentation would be utterly familiar to Cheryl Cole.

The Guardian

Naturalisation occurs when categories and categorised objects become so utterly familiar that they are seen as natural state.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer a more concise phrase such as "familiar with" or "knowledgeable about" in situations where the additional emphasis of "utterly" is not necessary.

Common error

Avoid using "utterly familiar with" in contexts where simple familiarity is sufficient. Overusing intensifiers can weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly familiar with" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, indicating a state of complete knowledge or acquaintance. As shown by Ludwig, it suggests a strong level of understanding.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "utterly familiar with" signifies a state of deep and comprehensive knowledge. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct, but uncommon. It appears in news articles, scientific publications, and general reference materials. The phrase is best used when emphasizing a complete and thorough understanding, and should be avoided in contexts where simple familiarity suffices. Alternatives such as "thoroughly versed in" or "completely acquainted with" offer similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Completely acquainted with

Replaces "familiar" with "acquainted" and "utterly" with "completely", emphasizing thorough knowledge.

Thoroughly versed in

Uses "versed in" to indicate deep knowledge, changing the preposition.

Extremely knowledgeable about

Replaces "familiar" with "knowledgeable" and uses "about" instead of "with".

Deeply conversant with

Employs "conversant with" to suggest a high level of understanding and ability to discuss the topic.

Intimately acquainted with

Replaces "familiar" with "acquainted" and "utterly" with "intimately" suggesting a closer understanding.

Entirely conversant in

Uses "conversant in" to highlight proficiency in a subject.

Perfectly acquainted with

Substitutes "familiar" with "acquainted" and "utterly" with "perfectly", indicating complete knowledge.

Well-versed in

A more concise way to express deep knowledge.

Thoroughly clued up on

An informal alternative, using a phrasal verb.

Fully cognizant of

A formal alternative suggesting awareness and understanding.

FAQs

What does "utterly familiar with" mean?

The phrase "utterly familiar with" means having a comprehensive and complete understanding or knowledge of something. It suggests a deep level of acquaintance and expertise.

How can I use "utterly familiar with" in a sentence?

You can use "utterly familiar with" to describe your level of knowledge about a particular subject. For example: "After years of research, I am utterly familiar with the intricacies of this topic."

What can I say instead of "utterly familiar with"?

You can use alternatives like "thoroughly versed in", "extremely knowledgeable about", or "deeply conversant with", depending on the context.

What's the difference between "familiar with" and "utterly familiar with"?

"Familiar with" indicates a general acquaintance, while "utterly familiar with" implies a much deeper and more comprehensive understanding. The addition of "utterly" emphasizes the completeness of your knowledge.