we are familiar with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we are familiar with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a person, group, or organization has knowledge or experience with something. For example, "We are familiar with the requirements of the project and will ensure that it is completed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

David Burgess Hawkhurst, Kent We are familiar with the floating voter.

The Guardian

"We are familiar with the challenges of displaying Moore's work outdoors.

The Guardian - Arts

Mr. Vines said, "we are familiar with that type of advertising," referring to the Ford ad.

The New York Times

As fans, we are familiar with a person's work, not with a person.

The Guardian

We are familiar with the talk that they would greet us with flowers.

The New York Times - Books

On one level, British Design is a sequence of cliches that we are familiar with.

The Guardian - Arts

We are familiar with the panto of The X Factor and with Gaga's turns.

The Guardian - Opinion

On one level, this was the Michael Gove we are familiar with: nerdy, Pooterish.

The Guardian - Opinion

Asked about the report, an Israeli security official told Reuters: "We are familiar with this case".

Independent

"We are familiar with this trope in our business: Mozart, Van Gogh, Tarantino, Eminem," she added.

Independent

We are familiar with the polemics — Should we have gone to war?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we are familiar with", ensure that the context clearly establishes who "we" refers to, especially in formal writing. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the statement's credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "we are familiar with" if your team's knowledge is superficial. Instead, use softer phrases like "we are aware of" or "we are learning about" to maintain honesty and build trust.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we are familiar with" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies the pronoun "we". It indicates a state of knowing or having experience with something, expressing a level of awareness or understanding. This is reflected in various examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we are familiar with" is a versatile and commonly used expression that conveys knowledge, experience, or understanding. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically sound and widely applicable. Its neutral-to-professional tone makes it suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and business communications. When employing this phrase, be mindful of the degree of familiarity you wish to express and choose alternative phrases, such as "we are acquainted with" or "we are conversant with", to fine-tune your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we are acquainted with

Replaces "familiar" with "acquainted", suggesting a less in-depth knowledge.

we are conversant with

Uses "conversant" to imply a comfortable level of knowledge and understanding.

we have experience with

Focuses on having practical experience rather than just knowledge.

we are knowledgeable about

Highlights the aspect of possessing knowledge regarding a subject.

we are aware of

Indicates a general awareness without necessarily implying detailed knowledge.

we know about

A simpler and more direct way of expressing awareness or knowledge.

we have an understanding of

Emphasizes the comprehension aspect of knowing something.

we are no strangers to

An idiomatic expression meaning something is not new or unusual to us.

we have dealt with

Highlights experience in handling or managing something.

we have encountered

Implies having come across or experienced something, possibly challenging.

FAQs

How can I use "we are familiar with" in a sentence?

Use "we are familiar with" to indicate knowledge or experience. For example, "we are familiar with the project requirements" means you understand the project's needs.

What's a more formal alternative to "we are familiar with"?

For a more formal tone, consider "we are conversant with" or "we have expertise in", depending on the specific context and level of knowledge.

Is it correct to say "we are familiar to" instead of "we are familiar with"?

No, the correct preposition is "with". "We are familiar with" is the standard and grammatically sound construction. "We are familiar to" is not idiomatic in this context.

What's the difference between "we are familiar with" and "we are acquainted with"?

"We are familiar with" generally implies a deeper understanding or more extensive experience than "we are acquainted with". Acquaintance suggests a basic level of knowledge, while familiarity implies greater detail.