were familiar with

USAGE SUMMARY

"were familiar with" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone has prior knowledge of something. For example: "They were familiar with the topics the professor discussed in class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Welsches were familiar with such rebukes.

The New York Times - Sports

We were familiar with the sentiments.

The New York Times

But some Californians were familiar with it.

The New York Times - Magazine

So pirates were familiar with the perils of autocracy.

The New Yorker

The firefighters were familiar with the building's construction and layout.

The New York Times

The ancient Greeks and Egyptians were familiar with labyrinths.

The New York Times

"We tried to use terms the people were familiar with.

The New Yorker

We were familiar with a number of them.

The New York Times

All three were familiar with one another's methods.

The New York Times - Arts

Many of the attendees were familiar with Walker's record.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Teachers probably used the method based on reading activities because they were familiar with it.

Language Testing in Asia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context clearly specifies what the subject is familiar with to avoid ambiguity. For example, "They were familiar with the local customs" is more effective than "They were familiar."

Common error

Avoid using "was familiar with" when referring to a plural subject. Ensure the verb "were" agrees with plural nouns or pronouns. For example, use "The students were familiar with the material" instead of "The students was familiar with the material".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were familiar with" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the subject's state of knowing or having prior experience with something. As Ludwig AI suggests, this indicates prior knowledge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were familiar with" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate prior knowledge or experience. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and wide applicability. Its usage spans various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While it maintains a generally neutral register, it's crucial to ensure subject-verb agreement and clarity in specifying what the subject is familiar with. Alternatives like ""were acquainted with"" or ""had experience with"" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

knew about

A simpler, more direct way of expressing knowledge.

were aware of

Focuses on the state of knowing or being informed.

had knowledge of

Focuses on possessing information or understanding.

had experience with

Highlights previous practical involvement or exposure.

were acquainted with

Emphasizes a personal or social connection and some knowledge.

understood

Focuses on having a comprehension of something.

were conversant with

Highlights the ability to discuss something intelligently.

were cognizant of

Stresses awareness or consciousness of something.

were versed in

Emphasizes deep knowledge and expertise.

had a background in

Highlights previous education or training in a specific field.

FAQs

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

Use "were familiar with" to indicate that someone or a group of people had previous knowledge or experience of something. For example, "The researchers "were familiar with" the existing literature on the topic."

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

"Were familiar with" often implies a deeper understanding or more extensive experience than "knew about". "They "were familiar with" the software" suggests they had used it before, while "They "knew about" the software" simply means they were aware of its existence.

What are some alternatives to "were familiar with"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "were acquainted with", "had experience with", or "were aware of" instead of "were familiar with".

Is it correct to say "was familiar with" instead of "were familiar with"?

No, "was familiar with" is used with singular subjects, while ""were familiar with"" is used with plural subjects. For example, "He was familiar with the process" (singular) versus "They "were familiar with" the process" (plural).