I encountered him

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "I encountered him" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a situation in which you and another person meet or meet again. For example: "I encountered him on the street and we stopped to chat for a few minutes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

I encountered him first in my sophomore or junior year of college, around 1997 or 1998.

The New Yorker

When I encountered him again, he explained that he worries about inflaming his conservative peers.

The New Yorker

I encountered him there myself for the first time by accident.

The Guardian - Books

I believe I encountered him only one more time at the White House.

The Guardian

I spoke with Mr. Santorum late on Thursday evening when I encountered him in the lobby of the Manchester, N.H., hotel where he is staying.

The New York Times

I encountered him outside his double-fronted and unrendered house, and he jollily recounted how his haemochromatosis meant he had to have a pint taken out every now and then.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The project is a film entitled The Invention of the Past, and it is based on a biography of Vander by a writer called "JB", a man Cleave describes as "distinctly odd", who "grows odder each time I encounter him".

The Guardian - Books

I could introduce him as I first encountered him when I crossed his floorless vestibule — "Come in.

The New Yorker

I could introduce him as I first encountered him when I crossed his floorless vestibule—"Come in.

The New Yorker

When I found out about Fears's arrest in Florida months later, I was relieved to finally be able to identify the person who violated me that day, while simultaneously thrown back into the state of adrenaline and rage I experienced when I first encountered him on August 12.

Vice

I first encountered him 50 years ago, when I faced an interview board before securing a bursary to study for a postgraduate degree in structural engineering.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I encountered him" to describe a meeting, often implying it was somewhat unexpected or noteworthy. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "encountered" can sound overly formal in very casual settings. In those cases, simpler alternatives like "met" or "ran into" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I encountered him" functions as a narrative statement, describing a past event where the speaker met or came across another person. This usage is supported by Ludwig, which confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I encountered him" is a grammatically sound way to describe a meeting, often implying it was somewhat unexpected or noteworthy. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and is often found in news and media contexts. While "met" is a simpler alternative, "I encountered him" adds a slightly more formal or narrative tone. Be mindful of the context, as overusing it in casual conversation might sound out of place. Remember, while grammatical correctness is important, choosing the right word for the situation enhances your communication. You can consider the alternatives provided such as "I met him", "I ran into him", or "I bumped into him" to better tailor your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I met him

Replaces "encountered" with the simpler and more common "met".

I ran into him

Suggests a chance or unexpected meeting.

I bumped into him

Similar to "ran into him", emphasizing the accidental nature of the meeting.

I came across him

Implies finding or meeting him unexpectedly.

I crossed paths with him

More formal way of saying "met".

I happened upon him

Emphasizes the element of chance in the meeting.

I chanced upon him

Synonymous with "happened upon him".

I had an encounter with him

More formal and emphasizes the event of meeting.

I interfaced with him

Suggests a professional or formal interaction.

I engaged with him

Suggests a more active or involved interaction.

FAQs

What does "I encountered him" mean?

The phrase "I encountered him" means that you met or came across that person, often suggesting the meeting was somewhat unexpected or memorable.

What can I say instead of "I encountered him"?

You can use alternatives like "I met him", "I ran into him", or "I bumped into him" depending on the context.

Is "I encountered him" formal?

The phrase "I encountered him" is more formal than alternatives like "I met him" or "I saw him", but is appropriate for many situations.

How to use "I encountered him" in a sentence?

You can use "I encountered him" to describe a past meeting, such as, "I encountered him at the conference last week" or "I encountered him on the street this morning".