I've seen him before

USAGE SUMMARY

"I've seen him before" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you might use it in a sentence like: "I saw him last week at the store and I'm sure I've seen him before somewhere else."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

I've seen him before on the A train".

The New York Times

"I've seen him before, but I don't know him," he said.

The New York Times

When I've seen him before, I've always thought he was a bit awkward.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There is a normal version of David, but I've seen him before he goes on stage and he somehow has the ability to will himself into something magnetic and incandescent.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"I had seen him before and thought he was really handsome," she said.

The New York Times

"I had seen him before in Japan, in years past, and he was a very aggressive hitter who attacked pitches as he did today.

The New York Times - Sports

"I had seen him before at different events, but when I finally got up close to him, I thought he was very handsome, and I thought he was funny and charming and sweet.

The New York Times

"I have seen him before the game, and they played like they knew he was in the stand," said Wenger.

BBC

"I've seen him once before," Mr. Lader said.

The New York Times

"I've seen him pitch before," Sabathia said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's a trick I've seen him pull before.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I've seen him before", ensure the context makes it clear who "him" refers to. Provide additional details if needed to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "I've seen him before" without establishing who "him" is. This can confuse your audience and make your statement less effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I've seen him before" functions as an expression of recognition, indicating that the speaker recalls having seen the person in question at some point in the past. Ludwig examples show it in everyday conversations and news reports.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I've seen him before" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate recognition of someone. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly news and media. While versatile, it's best practice to ensure clarity by providing context about who "him" refers to. Related phrases like "I recognize him" offer alternative ways to convey the same meaning. Common errors involve using the phrase without establishing a clear reference. In essence, it's a straightforward way to express familiarity, but context is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I recognize him

Focuses directly on the act of recognition.

I'm familiar with his face

Emphasizes familiarity with the person's appearance.

I know his face

A simple and direct way to express recognition.

He looks familiar

Shifts the perspective to the person's appearance being recognizable.

I've encountered him previously

Uses more formal language to indicate a prior meeting.

I remember seeing him

Highlights the act of remembering a past sighting.

His face rings a bell

Idiomatic expression indicating a vague sense of familiarity.

I've crossed paths with him

Indicates a prior, possibly brief, meeting.

I seem to recall him

Expresses a tentative recollection of the person.

He seems familiar to me

Expresses the feeling of familiarity from the speaker's perspective.

FAQs

What does "I've seen him before" mean?

The phrase "I've seen him before" indicates that you recognize someone from a previous encounter, though you might not remember the specific details of that meeting.

What can I say instead of "I've seen him before"?

You can use alternatives like "I recognize him", "I know his face", or "he looks familiar" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to say "I've seen him before" in a formal setting?

Yes, "I've seen him before" is generally appropriate in most settings. If a more formal tone is needed, you could say, "I believe I've encountered him previously".

How do I use "I've seen him before" in a sentence?

You can use "I've seen him before" to express recognition. For example, "I think that's the new manager; I've seen him before at company events".