I initially encountered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I initially encountered" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the first time you came across or met something or someone. Example: "I initially encountered this concept during my undergraduate studies in psychology."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I initially encountered LeBlanc after calling Microsoft with some run-of-the-mill Office encryption questions.

Forbes

Eric's stunning vision -- he understood that healthy communities produce healthy people better than most -- I initially encountered through his writings.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Voters initially encountered confusion and long lines today when they tried to cast ballots.

The New York Times

Aldridge managed to board a ship to England but initially encountered the same sort of racist treatment.

The Guardian

Wolsey is initially encountered at the peak of his powers, a leopard of a man, clad in scarlet so fine he likes to be priced by the yard.

The Guardian - Books

This slow adjustment is important because it mimics the delayed reaction or disbelief one might experience when such a troubling and disorienting view is initially encountered.

The New York Times

Tracing the history of WikiLeaks' activities, Mr. Benkler said it had initially encountered skepticism over the authenticity of the documents it published.

The New York Times

At the same time troops from the 101st Airborne Division moved into Zhare District to the southwest, where they initially encountered strong resistance.

The New York Times

"The official word in the military was that blacks didn't have the intelligence, the coordination, the courage to be pilots," Dr. Brown said, recalling the racism they initially encountered.

The New York Times

Zinke, a former Navy SEAL who raised money for his congressional campaign by raffling off an AR-15 painted with the stars and stripes, seemed keen to carry out the President's order, but he initially encountered some resistance.

The New Yorker

David Capper, a co-inventor of Hitclips, said that Tiger Electronics initially encountered skepticism from record company executives, who were alarmed that the chips, which contained one-minute loops of popular songs, could possibly erode album sales.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I initially encountered" to specifically highlight the first time you experienced or met something, setting the stage for further explanation or development of the topic. This can be effective in introductions or when narrating a sequence of events.

Common error

Avoid using "I initially encountered" when describing ongoing or repeated experiences. This phrase implies a single, first-time meeting or discovery, not a recurring event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I initially encountered" functions as a verb phrase indicating the beginning of an experience or acquaintance. It is used to introduce a new element into the narrative. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I initially encountered" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to introduce the first time you met or experienced something. Ludwig confirms its validity. While examples are rare, the phrase appears in diverse contexts such as news and media, and scientific writings. It is suitable for both formal and informal communication. It is important to use this phrase to describe first-time experiences, avoiding its use for recurring events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

At first, I encountered

Adds emphasis on the timing of the encounter.

I first came across

Focuses on the act of discovering or finding something for the first time.

I originally found

Similar to 'came across', but with a slightly different nuance.

I initially discovered

Highlights the first instance of finding out about something.

I originally met

Emphasizes the first meeting with a person.

My first experience was with

Highlights the personal experience of encountering something.

The first time I saw

Focuses on the visual aspect of the first encounter.

My introduction to was

Highlights what triggered the initial encounter

I began with

Slightly transforms the meaning into the starting of something

I started out with

Changes the nuance to highlight the beginning of a process or journey.

FAQs

What does "I initially encountered" mean?

The phrase "I initially encountered" means that you came across something or someone for the first time. It suggests a starting point in your experience with that particular thing or person.

How can I use "I initially encountered" in a sentence?

You can use "I initially encountered" to introduce a topic or experience. For example: "I initially encountered this problem during my research" or "I initially encountered her at a conference".

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

You can use alternatives like "I first came across", "I originally met", or "I originally found" depending on the context.

Is "I initially encountered" formal or informal?

"I initially encountered" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It's a neutral phrase that can be used in writing or speaking.