I initially met

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I initially met" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the first time you encountered or were introduced to someone or something. Example: "I initially met Sarah at the conference last year, and we have been friends ever since."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

I initially met Brenda Cyrus, 61, who contracted H.I.V. when she was living in the crime-ridden projects in Red Hook in the early 1980s.

The New York Times

Unfortunately this ensured that the he became embroiled in such activities leading to his ultimate incarceration: "And that's where I initially met some members of a motor cycle gang.

Health & Justice

I initially met Mike at the Gathering.

Vice

Margo Wright, of Yenko,, whom I initially met during our time at 4.0 Schools.

Huffington Post

I initially met her as an actress, little suspecting she would morph into an art piece!

Huffington Post

I love the kid part about him - the enthusiastic, optimistic, hyper kid that I initially met when I was a kid myself.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

When I initially meet Refn, he is being photographed in a darkly atmospheric boxing gym a few minutes' walk from the Observer offices.

The Guardian - Film

Becky is indeed a magnetic personality, and when we initially met I suspected that she would "get somewhere" by the end of her first year in New York.

The New York Times - Magazine

We initially met for a hookup, and I wanted to date, but he wasn't interested.

Vice

Overall, 207 patients were seen in consultation at the RMH-DDU for phase I trials between October 2012 and March 2013, of which 158 patients (76%) initially met study inclusion.

British Journal of Cancer

Mr. Wallace was initially met with skepticism.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I initially met" to specifically emphasize the first encounter with someone or something, particularly when you want to contrast it with later interactions or developments.

Common error

Avoid using "I initially met" when describing ongoing relationships. It's best used to refer to the very first encounter, not to summarize the entire history of your interactions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I initially met" functions as an introductory statement, establishing the beginning of an acquaintance or relationship. It sets the stage for further narrative or description, indicating that a first encounter occurred, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I initially met" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe the first encounter with someone or something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted and applicable across various contexts, including news, science, and business. While "I first met" is a simpler alternative, "I initially met" subtly emphasizes the starting point of a relationship, making it a valuable tool for clear and effective communication. Remember to use it when referencing the very first encounter, not subsequent interactions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I first met

Replaces "initially" with "first", offering a more direct and common way to express the start of an acquaintance.

I originally met

Substitutes "initially" with "originally", implying the beginning point of a meeting or acquaintance.

I encountered for the first time

Replaces the entire phrase with a more descriptive version using "encountered", emphasizing the novel nature of the meeting.

I was first introduced to

Shifts the focus to the introduction itself, suitable when emphasizing the manner of meeting.

My first encounter was with

Rephrases the sentence structure to highlight the encounter as the primary subject.

I had my first meeting with

Focuses specifically on a formal or planned meeting, adding a level of intentionality.

Our paths first crossed

Offers a more figurative and narrative way to describe the initial meeting.

I became acquainted with

Emphasizes the beginning of a relationship or acquaintance rather than a single meeting.

I started knowing

Focuses on the start of knowing someone, rather than just the single encounter.

It was when I first met

Adds emphasis by changing the sentence construction, highlighting the time of the initial meeting.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to say "I initially met"?

In formal contexts, you can use phrases such as "I first encountered" or "I was first introduced to". These alternatives convey a sense of formality and are suitable for professional or academic settings.

How does "I initially met" differ from "I met"?

"I met" simply states that you encountered someone. "I initially met" emphasizes that this was the first time you met them, suggesting that there may have been subsequent meetings or interactions. The addition of "initially" adds specificity about the timing of the encounter.

What can I say instead of "I initially met" in a narrative context?

In storytelling, consider using more descriptive phrases like "Our paths first crossed" or "My first encounter was with" to create a more engaging and vivid depiction of the meeting.

Is it grammatically correct to say "I initially meet" instead of "I initially met"?

No, "I initially meet" is grammatically incorrect in most contexts. The verb "meet" should be in the past tense ("met") because you are referring to a past event. "I initially meet" might be correct in hypothetical or conditional statements, but it's rarely used.