with the acquaintance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with the acquaintance" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used when referring to a relationship or interaction involving someone you know or have met. Example: "I had a pleasant conversation with the acquaintance I met at the conference."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Bonferroni-adjusted post-hoc tests showed that pain was significantly reduced in both the distraction and partner conditions, contrasted with the acquaintance baseline condition (p's = 0.026).

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Children were further divided into four groups after pair-wise combination of the attitude towards the eye exercises of acupoints (serious or not) and acquaintance with the acupoints (acquaintance or not).

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Herzen's eight-year experience with injustice and the acquaintance it afforded with the workings of Russian government gave firmer contours to his radicalism.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"The acquaintance with the past is a must.

The New York Times

The acquaintance with Renouvier was a focal point in James's personal and intellectual history.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I know you enjoy your friend's company, and your convo with the new acquaintance is intriguing.

Huffington Post

Then there are the acquaintances, "with whom you share one thing such as being part of the same tennis club".

BMC Health Services Research

The reader with prior acquaintance with the literature of linguistics will notice that we have not made reference to any partitioning of linguists into two camps called 'empiricists' and 'rationalists' (see e.g. Matthews 1984, Cowie 1999).

SEP

He was, he acknowledged, the dark horse, a man with little acquaintance with the gym.

The New York Times

This might be unfair on other cities less favoured with the chancellor's acquaintance and patronage.

The Guardian

The memoir deals with the girls' brief acquaintance in only a few pages.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "with the acquaintance", ensure the context clearly establishes who the acquaintance is. Providing additional details or a brief description can improve clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "with the acquaintance" if the person being referred to is not previously known to the audience. If the person is unfamiliar, consider using "with a new person" or "with someone I recently met" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with the acquaintance" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase. As supported by Ludwig, it typically modifies a verb or noun to provide context about an interaction or relationship involving a person known, but not closely, to the subject.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

8%

Wiki

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "with the acquaintance" is a prepositional phrase used to describe interactions or relationships involving someone known, but not intimately. While grammatically correct and appearing in diverse sources like news media and encyclopedias, it's relatively rare. As Ludwig confirms, it is important to ensure that the context is clear about who the acquaintance is. Alternatives such as "in the company of the acquaintance" or "in relation to the acquaintance" can offer different nuances. Remembering to use "a new person" or "someone I recently met" when the person is unfamiliar is also important for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the company of the acquaintance

This alternative emphasizes the physical presence or social interaction with the acquaintance.

alongside the acquaintance

Similar to "in the company of", this phrase indicates being together with the acquaintance.

in relation to the acquaintance

This suggests a connection or dealing with the acquaintance, focusing on the interaction.

in connection with the acquaintance

This highlights a link or association involving the acquaintance.

regarding the acquaintance

This alternative shifts the focus to discussing or considering the acquaintance.

concerning the acquaintance

Similar to "regarding", this phrase implies a topic of discussion about the acquaintance.

in respect to the acquaintance

Similar to "in relation to", this phrase focuses on the specific aspect of dealing with the acquaintance.

in association with the acquaintance

Emphasizes a formal or organized connection with the acquaintance.

vis-à-vis the acquaintance

This more formal option denotes a comparison or relationship to the acquaintance.

in touch with the acquaintance

Focuses specifically on maintaining contact or communication with the acquaintance.

FAQs

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

You can use "with the acquaintance" to describe interactions or relationships, as in "I had a brief conversation with the acquaintance I met at the conference", or "He arranged the meeting with a personal acquaintance".

What are some alternatives to "with the acquaintance"?

Alternatives include phrases like "in the company of the acquaintance", "alongside the acquaintance", or "in relation to the acquaintance", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "with the acquaintance" or "with an acquaintance"?

Using "with the acquaintance" implies a specific acquaintance already known in the context. "With an acquaintance" introduces an unspecified or new acquaintance. Choose based on whether the person has been previously mentioned.

When is it appropriate to use "with the acquaintance"?

It's appropriate when referring to a specific person known as an acquaintance within the given context. Ensure that the audience has some prior knowledge or introduction to this individual for clarity.