we are familiar with that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we are familiar with that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that you have knowledge or experience regarding a particular subject or situation. Example: "In our previous meetings, we discussed the project details, so we are familiar with that."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"With this concept we take five experiments that we're familiar with, that have been done for hundreds of years in some cases, and take them to the next level," Partington explains.

Vice

President François Hollande of France, speaking to reporters in Athens, said the kidnappers were "a terrorist group that we are familiar with, and that is in Nigeria," adding that "the likeliest possibility is that they were taken to Nigeria".

The New York Times

A.L: Our writing teacher always recommended us to write about things we are familiar with, so that's why I chose to set the story in a research lab.

Science Magazine

Writer Al Nickerson believes "that Stan Lee and Steve Ditko created the Spider-Man that we are familiar with today [but that] ultimately, Spider-Man came into existence, and prospered, through the efforts of not just one or two, but many, comic book creators".

Wikipedia

We are familiar with similar activities that use different colors of manipulatives like beads or candy to represent populations consisting of different individuals.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

We are familiar with the policy that had just been drawn up for Cuba.

EU Parlament

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

The New York Times - Books

While we are familiar with the idea that educational and professional outcomes are linked to people's backgrounds, exactly how this happens has remained mysterious.

The Guardian

After all, we are familiar with the fact that something can be prima facie or pro tanto finally good without being all-things-considered good.

SEP

We are familiar with the threat that cyber-crime poses to the computers around us -- however, we have not yet prepared for the threat it may pose to the computers inside of us.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we are familiar with that", ensure that the context clearly indicates what "that" refers to. Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating the subject or situation you are familiar with earlier in the sentence or paragraph.

Common error

While "we are familiar with that" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound less professional. In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "we acknowledge that" or "we recognize that" to convey a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we are familiar with that" functions as a statement of acknowledgement or recognition. It indicates that the speaker or writer has prior knowledge or experience with the topic at hand. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we are familiar with that" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate prior knowledge or experience. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usability spans across various contexts, from news and media to scientific discussions. While versatile, it's important to ensure clarity by specifying what "that" refers to, and to consider more formal alternatives in professional settings. Understanding its nuances and appropriate contexts ensures effective and clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we know that

Replaces 'familiar with' with the more direct 'know', emphasizing simple awareness.

we are acquainted with that

Substitutes 'familiar' with 'acquainted', suggesting a more formal or superficial level of awareness.

we are cognizant of that

Replaces 'familiar' with 'cognizant', suggesting an official or formal acknowledgement of something.

we have experience with that

Focuses on direct experience rather than general knowledge.

we are informed about that

Emphasizes having received information about the subject.

we are conversant with that

Replaces 'familiar' with 'conversant', indicating a deeper understanding and ability to discuss the subject.

we are no strangers to that

Indicates considerable experience with something, often something challenging or unpleasant.

we are versed in that

Implies considerable knowledge or skill in a particular area.

that rings a bell

An idiomatic expression indicating vague or incomplete familiarity.

we have a working knowledge of that

Highlights practical understanding rather than theoretical knowledge.

FAQs

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

Use "we are familiar with that" to indicate prior knowledge or experience with a specific topic. For example, "We have conducted similar experiments before, so "we are familiar with that" type of data analysis".

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

In formal settings, you might prefer phrases like "we acknowledge that", "we are cognizant of that", or "we recognize that". These options often convey a more professional tone than "we are familiar with that".

Is "we are familiar with that" suitable for academic writing?

While acceptable, consider more precise language in academic writing. Instead of "we are familiar with that", specify the extent of your familiarity: "we possess a comprehensive understanding of", or "we have extensive experience in".

What is the difference between "we are familiar with that" and "we know that"?

"We know that" generally implies a simple awareness of a fact, while "we are familiar with that" suggests a deeper understanding or experience. For instance, "We know that the meeting is scheduled for Tuesday" versus "We are familiar with that project's challenges".