Grammar fix
old friend
longtime friend
someone you have known for a long time, often since childhood or many years ago.
collocationB1common
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
I met up with an old friend from high school last weekend.
If I feel stressed, I usually call an old friend to talk things over. It always helps me relax.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: We are old friends since ten years.
Say: We've been friends for ten years.
Don't say 'since X years'; use 'for ten years' (or just 'old friends').
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Acquaintance of long standing' is stilted; 'an old friend of mine' is warm and normal.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
an old friend
- an old friend
- old friends
- of mine
- from school