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Dominik Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

my friend/a friend of mine

Is there a difference between my friend and a friend of mine?

Thanks in advance!
  

Top answer

Hi Dominik, I can't think of any specific rule that could explain the difference between the two. If you don't mind, I'll just write about how I would use the two expressions. I have many friends.

— Mr Patrick

  • Hi Dominik, I can't think of any specific rule that could explain the difference between the two.
  • If you don't mind, I'll just write about how I would use the two expressions.
  • I have many friends.
  • When I want to mention one specific friend for the first time, I say: A friend of mine is going to Russia next week .
  • Once I have mentioned this friend of mine, I would refer to him as my friend , since it is now clear that I am talking about this specific friend.
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4 Answers
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Hi Dominik,

I can't think of any specific rule that could explain the difference between the two. If you don't mind, I'll just write about how I would use the two expressions.

I have many friends. When I want to mention one specific friend for the first time, I say: A friend of mine is going to Russia next week.

Once I have mentioned this fr
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Hi, Mr Patrick

It makes sense. Thank you very much for your explanation.

I have read in my grammar book that of mine/yours etc mean one of many (there are other friends/brothers etc)

I think that a friend of minieis also more formal so for example a politician will not say that Putin is my friend, but Putin is a friend of mine
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I have heard that distinction made on this site before, but I wonder if this is more a construction of grammar books than common use. Certainly "a friend of mine" says you have more than one friend. But I do NOT make the assumption that if you say "He is my friend" that he is the only friend you have (as others have alluded to in here, even though you do not say it specifically above).

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Thank you very much for your reply, Barbara. I agree, that if you say "He is my friend" it doesn't mean that he is your the only friend.

Regards
Dominik
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