was very acquainted with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was very acquainted with" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when describing someone's familiarity or knowledge about a person, place, or subject, but it is better to use simpler expressions. Example: "She was very acquainted with the local customs after living there for several years."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Residents of Oklahoma were very acquainted with deadly tornadoes but many had a similar feeling that allowed them to dismiss warnings.

The New York Times

In general, a surgeon is not very acquainted with this technical feature.

EJNMMI Research

What I did do was I got very acquainted with Lee Daniels' work and Danny Strong's work.

Los Angeles Times

And rightly so: A recent Mercer study indicated that several investment committees and boards are not yet very acquainted with climate-related risks - suggesting that the investment sector is not fully prepared to address the topic and leaving many investors poorly positioned.

Huffington Post

I had assumed I was very well acquainted with "Old Times," which I caught (twice) on Saturday and the 1981 Stephen Sondheim-George Furth musical "Merrily We Roll Along," which I saw in a heart-clutching revival at the Menier Chocolate Factory on Sunday.

The New York Times

Further, we find no mention of Jayarāśi in the oeuvre of Akalaṅka Bhaṭṭa, although he was very well acquainted with current ideas of his contemporaries.

SEP

Yoo was very well acquainted with the case.

Huffington Post

He assured me I would be okay, he was very well acquainted with the drug and knew members of the community who were experts on the matter.

Huffington Post

So, she was very well acquainted with all work flows of the separate wards.

BMC Health Services Research

I had visited my aunt and uncle who lived near Westwood and Beverly Hills countless times, and had become very acquainted with L.A. San Diego was a mystery to me however, and since the internet didn't exist then I only knew what others had told me, that the weather was amazing and that it had a much smaller populace than its coastal Southern California neighbor of Los Angeles.

Huffington Post

I became very acquainted with Western culture.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for the more common and natural phrasing "was well acquainted with" as it generally provides better clarity and flow.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on the phrase "was very acquainted with" in your writing. While grammatically correct, it can make your prose sound stilted. Vary your language by using synonyms like "was familiar with" or "knew well" to create a more engaging and dynamic text.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was very acquainted with" functions as a verbal phrase describing a state of knowing or being familiar with someone or something. It modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating the extent of their familiarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was very acquainted with" is used to describe a state of knowing or familiarity. While grammatically acceptable, it's less common than alternatives like "was well acquainted with" and can sound somewhat awkward. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase isn't incorrect but suggests considering alternative phrasings for improved clarity and flow. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts, with a neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was well acquainted with

Emphasizes a strong level of familiarity and is generally considered more standard English.

was familiar with

Indicates a general understanding or knowledge, but may not imply as deep a connection.

was intimately familiar with

Highlights a very close and detailed understanding.

had a good knowledge of

Focuses on the possession of information or expertise.

was knowledgeable about

Emphasizes the possession of facts and information.

was conversant with

Suggests a comfortable and informed understanding, suitable for formal contexts.

was versed in

Implies expertise or skill acquired through study or experience.

was no stranger to

Indicates a frequent or significant experience with something, often implying resilience.

had experience with

Focuses on practical involvement or exposure.

was accustomed to

Suggests a habitual or routine familiarity.

FAQs

What's a more common alternative to "was very acquainted with"?

A more common and natural-sounding alternative is "was well acquainted with". This phrasing is generally preferred in both formal and informal contexts.

Is "was very acquainted with" grammatically incorrect?

While not strictly incorrect, "was very acquainted with" is less common and can sound slightly awkward. It's generally better to use "was well acquainted with".

When is it appropriate to use "was very acquainted with"?

While you can use "was very acquainted with", it might be best in situations where you want to emphasize the degree of familiarity, but even then, consider if "was well acquainted with" would suffice.

What's the difference between "was acquainted with" and "was very acquainted with"?

"Was acquainted with" implies a general familiarity, while "was very acquainted with" aims to emphasize a strong level of familiarity. However, the latter is less common and can sound unnatural compared to other options like "was well acquainted with".