Meet incidentally

USAGE SUMMARY

"meet incidentally" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a chance encounter or an unplanned meeting. Example: "I happened to meet him incidentally at the café." Alternative expressions include "meet by chance" and "run into."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Picked on as an Italian immigrant, the boy Zamperini turns out to possess proper athletic chops (first revealed after he is discovered peering up girls' skirts at a sports meet, incidentally).

The Guardian - Film

In this sense research and ethics meet incidentally.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

(Green, incidentally, is not portrayed in the movie; she would not meet Wallace until years after the 1996 trip).

Los Angeles Times

("Bernie," incidentally, has both).

The New York Times

Chelsea, incidentally, are playing Basle.

Independent

(Wilson, incidentally, is Sloan Wilson's nephew).

The New Yorker

I like Jeremy Paxman, incidentally.

The Guardian - Opinion

My name isn't Marjorie, incidentally.

Independent

(Miss Loos, incidentally, wore a 2B).

The New York Times

Turner, incidentally, was formerly PR for Express Newspapers.

The Guardian

Senator McCain, incidentally, voted "present".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "meet incidentally" to subtly indicate a chance or unplanned encounter, adding a touch of detail to your narrative without disrupting the flow.

Common error

Avoid using "incidentally" as a mere filler word to introduce unrelated information. Ensure the incidental meeting or information is contextually relevant to the surrounding narrative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "meet incidentally" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying the verb "meet" to specify the manner in which the meeting occurred. It indicates that the meeting was not planned or intended, but rather happened by chance. This usage aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of the phrase as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66.66%

Science

33.33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "meet incidentally" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to describe chance encounters. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, albeit noting its relative infrequency. While appropriate for neutral contexts such as news reporting, it may sound somewhat formal in very casual settings. Alternatives like "run into" or "bump into" might be more suitable for informal situations. When using this phrase, ensure it adds relevant detail about the unplanned nature of the meeting without feeling forced or disconnected from the main narrative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

happen to meet

This alternative emphasizes the coincidental nature of the meeting.

meet by chance

This alternative is more direct and emphasizes the accidental nature of the meeting.

meet unintentionally

This alternative directly states the lack of intent behind the meeting.

encounter unexpectedly

This alternative highlights the surprise element of the meeting.

run into

This alternative is more informal and suggests a casual meeting.

bump into

This alternative is very informal, implying a quick and unplanned meeting.

chance upon

Similar to "stumble upon", but can also refer to objects or ideas.

stumble upon

This alternative suggests discovering someone or something unexpectedly during a meeting.

cross paths

This alternative is a more metaphorical way to describe a chance meeting.

find oneself meeting

This alternative emphasizes the unintentional nature of the meeting.

FAQs

How can I use "meet incidentally" in a sentence?

"Meet incidentally" describes a chance encounter. For example, "We happened to meet incidentally at the conference."

What are some alternatives to "meet incidentally"?

Alternatives include "meet by chance", "run into", or "encounter unexpectedly".

Is it ever incorrect to use "meet incidentally"?

While grammatically correct, "meet incidentally" might sound overly formal in very casual contexts. Choose alternatives like "bump into" for informal situations.

What's the difference between "meet incidentally" and "meet on purpose"?

"Meet incidentally" means the meeting was unplanned, while "meet on purpose" implies a deliberate, prearranged meeting.