I was met

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was met" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an encounter or meeting with someone, often in a passive voice context. Example: "When I arrived at the conference, I was met by the event coordinator who guided me to my seat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I was met with giggles.

The New York Times

I was met with perplexity and hostility.

Independent

But I was met with silence.

The New Yorker

I was met with silence.

The Guardian

"But I was met with crying".

The New York Times

But I was met everywhere with puzzled glances.

The New Yorker

I was met with a lot of polite bemusement.

The New York Times

"I was met by silence and blank stares," he said.

The Guardian

I was met with so much despair," Rayford said.

The Guardian - Money

Finally, I was met by an older man.

The Guardian

"I was met with a shocking sight," Waite said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was met" to describe a passive reception or encounter, where the focus is on the experience rather than the action of meeting someone. For example, "At the airport, I was met by my client's assistant."

Common error

Avoid using "I was met" when you intend to emphasize your own active role in initiating the meeting. Instead, use active voice constructions like "I met" to highlight your agency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was met" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence received an action. It is frequently used to describe an initial encounter or reception, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was met" is a common and grammatically sound passive construction used to describe an initial encounter or reception. As Ludwig highlights, this phrase appears frequently in news and media sources, and its function is to convey the experience of being received rather than actively initiating a meeting. While versatile across different registers, it is important to avoid misusing it in contexts where active voice is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was greeted

Highlights the welcome or initial interaction received.

I was welcomed by

Similar to "I was greeted", but emphasizes the act of being made to feel welcome.

I encountered

Focuses on the act of meeting someone or something, emphasizing the experience.

I happened upon

Highlights the accidental or unexpected nature of the encounter.

I came across

Implies a chance meeting or discovery.

I ran into

Suggests a casual, often unplanned meeting.

I was introduced to

Highlights the act of being formally presented to someone or something.

I found myself facing

Emphasizes the situation or challenge one encountered.

I was confronted with

Suggests a more challenging or problematic encounter.

I faced

A more direct way of saying "I was met" implying the person took action.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "I was met"?

You can use alternatives like "I was greeted", "I encountered", or "I came across" depending on the context.

How to use "I was met" in a sentence?

Use "I was met" to describe a passive reception or encounter. For example: "Upon arrival, I was met with a warm welcome." The subject receives the action.

What is the difference between "I was met" and "I met"?

"I was met" is in the passive voice, indicating someone else initiated the meeting. "I met" is in the active voice, meaning you initiated the meeting.

Is it correct to say "I was met by"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. For instance, "I was met by the project manager" is a perfectly acceptable sentence structure.