were acquainted with

USAGE SUMMARY

"were acquainted with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that two people already knew each other before a specific event. For example: "The two men had been acquainted with each other for many years before they met again at the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were acquainted with each other while they were at the Yale School of Music.

The New York Times

"I assume you were acquainted with her?" says the first man.

The New Yorker

Mr. Rivera said they were acquainted with their attackers, whom he described as newcomers to the business.

The New York Times

Mr. Parker said there was nothing nefarious in the fact that several of the businessmen were acquainted with each other.

The New York Times

In the Magnolia case, Josh DeSanto and Spencer DeLecce, both 12, said they knew the dead boy, and were acquainted with his sister.

The New York Times

Teenagers and adults who were acquainted with the three boys said some or all of them listened to Metallica and other heavy metal music.

The New York Times

They included members of the US Jewish community who were acquainted with Madoff through country clubs and social networks in Long Island and Palm Beach.

The Guardian - Business

The police said they did not know what the motive for the shooting was or if either of the two men who fled were acquainted with the victim.

The New York Times

So there was a lot of reluctance, even among people who I knew were acquainted with Zawahiri, to admit their connection.

The New Yorker

While decades would pass before most Muslim women were acquainted with even the theory of their rights, change came earlier for the upper classes in the cities.

The Guardian

On the first day of the selection proceedings, Col. James L. Pohl, the judge in the case, asked how many of the officers were acquainted with General Sinclair.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were acquainted with" to indicate a prior, often not very close, relationship or familiarity. It's more formal than "knew".

Common error

Avoid using "were acquainted with" when you mean to describe a close friendship or intimate relationship. The phrase implies a level of formality and distance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were acquainted with" functions as a stative verb phrase, indicating a state of knowing or being familiar with someone or something. Ludwig confirms its correct usage and high frequency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were acquainted with" is a versatile phrase used to denote a pre-existing familiarity or relationship. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used. It is more formal than a simple "knew" and suggests a less intimate connection. Its widespread use across diverse sources highlights its appropriateness in various contexts, from news and media to scientific research and encyclopedic entries. The phrase is a solid choice for indicating prior knowledge or a casual relationship.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were familiar with

Indicates a general understanding or knowledge, slightly broader than knowing personally.

knew each other

Focuses on a mutual relationship between people, emphasizing personal connection.

had met before

Highlights a previous encounter, without necessarily implying a close relationship.

were introduced to

Specifies the act of being formally presented, more formal than a casual acquaintance.

had knowledge of

Emphasizes awareness or information about a subject, not necessarily personal interaction.

were conversant with

Implies a deeper understanding and ability to discuss something knowledgeably.

had a nodding acquaintance with

Suggests a casual, superficial familiarity, often limited to a simple greeting.

were no strangers to

Indicates experience or familiarity with a situation or concept, rather than a person.

had crossed paths with

Highlights a brief or incidental encounter, often without significant interaction.

were cognizant of

Highlights awareness or knowledge of something, more formal.

FAQs

How do you use "were acquainted with" in a sentence?

Use "were acquainted with" to describe a prior, often casual, relationship or familiarity. For instance, "They "were acquainted with" each other through a mutual friend".

What's a more formal alternative to "were acquainted with"?

More formal alternatives include "were familiar with" or "had knowledge of", depending on the specific context and the nature of the relationship.

Is it correct to say "I am acquainted with" or "I was acquainted with"?

Both are correct depending on the tense required. "I am acquainted with" indicates a current state of familiarity, while "I was acquainted with" refers to a past state.

What's the difference between "were acquainted with" and "knew"?

"Were acquainted with" suggests a less intimate and often more formal relationship than "knew". "Knew" implies a deeper connection or understanding, while "were acquainted with" simply means having met or having some awareness of each other.