with an acquaintance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with an acquaintance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to being in the company of someone you know casually or have met before. Example: "I had dinner with an acquaintance from college last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They recover more quickly from stress when they are with an acquaintance.

The New York Times

In January, the chef Heston Blumenthal sat down for dinner with an acquaintance – Major Tim Peake.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I was having a drink with an acquaintance, and we began talking about cooking.

The New York Times - Magazine

We played the name game and came up with an acquaintance in common; again I envisioned the what-if.

The New York Times

One lunchtime, I drank whiskey with an acquaintance who had hoped that Bashar would be given the opportunity to reform.

The New Yorker

A man was shot after an argument with an acquaintance escalated to gunfire in Norristown, Pa., early Saturday.

The New York Times

A few months ago, I had a conversation with an acquaintance who earns a super-high income.

The New York Times

One day, he invited Bogdan to sit in on a business meeting he was going to have with an acquaintance.

The New Yorker

Julius Stelly, 33, was shot and critically wounded after an argument with an acquaintance in Beaumont, Tex., Friday afternoon.

The New York Times

Fariña left the party to go on a motorcycle jaunt with an acquaintance, and never came back.

The New York Times - Books

Connecticut investigators later notified federal marshals that they believed Mr. Howard was staying with an acquaintance in North Carolina.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing interactions, specify the context of the acquaintance. For example, "with an acquaintance from college" provides more clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "with an acquaintance" when describing interactions with close friends or family. It can diminish the importance of the relationship. Instead, use "with a friend" or "with a family member".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with an acquaintance" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun to indicate accompaniment or association. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct. It clarifies the nature of the relationship between the subject and the person they are with.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "with an acquaintance" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that provides context about a casual social relationship. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various writing styles, although its usage is most common in news and media. Alternatives like "with a casual acquaintance" or "with someone I know slightly" can offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. When using this phrase, consider the specific context and ensure it accurately reflects the depth of the relationship being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with a casual acquaintance

Adds emphasis on the casual nature of the relationship.

with a passing acquaintance

Highlights the brief or superficial nature of the relationship.

with a person I know slightly

Rephrases using simpler language to indicate limited familiarity.

with a nodding acquaintance

Indicates a relationship limited to brief greetings or acknowledgements.

in the company of an acquaintance

More formal way to describe being with someone.

alongside an acquaintance

Emphasizes being together or side-by-side with the person.

with someone from work

Specifies that the acquaintance is a work-related contact.

with someone I've met before

Explicitly states the prior meeting between individuals.

with a familiar face

Uses a more general term to describe someone recognized but not closely known.

with a former colleague

Specifies the type of acquaintance as a former work associate.

FAQs

How can I use "with an acquaintance" in a sentence?

You can use "with an acquaintance" to describe being in the company of someone you know casually. For example, "I ran into him "with an acquaintance" at the grocery store".

What's the difference between "with an acquaintance" and "with a friend"?

"With an acquaintance" implies a more casual, less intimate relationship than "with a friend". An acquaintance is someone you know, but not closely.

What can I say instead of "with an acquaintance"?

Depending on the context, you could use "with a casual acquaintance", "with a colleague", or "with someone I know slightly" as alternatives.

Is it appropriate to use "with an acquaintance" in formal writing?

Yes, "with an acquaintance" is appropriate in formal writing when you need to specify that the relationship is not a close friendship. However, consider whether a more specific term like "with a business contact" or "with a former colleague" would be more precise.