Met by chance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Met by chance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an encounter or meeting that occurs unexpectedly or without prior arrangement. Example: "I was walking through the park when I met by chance an old friend from high school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We told them that we met by chance.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We met by chance at a charity game, the Ambassadors Cup, in 2006.

Independent

I'm writing this for "Frank", who I met by chance at a soup kitchen.

Independent

They met by chance six years ago in a Chelsea restaurant.

The New York Times

They met by chance three years ago at a wedding in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The New York Times - Sports

They met by chance one night at a party in Tottenham, north London.

The Guardian

When we met by chance last week, Cruzvillegas told me he was unaware of this work.

The Guardian - Arts

The couple first met by chance in a restaurant near Victoria Station.

The New Yorker

On tour with a theatrical company, in a Meditterranean town, he met, by chance, a cousin from Russia.

The New Yorker

About two years after my clandestine visit to the graveyard, Edward and I met by chance at a garden center.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

He met Susan Walker by chance.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "met by chance", ensure the context clearly establishes that the meeting was not pre-arranged. The surrounding sentences should support the element of surprise.

Common error

Avoid using "met by chance" when describing meetings that were scheduled or expected. This phrase is specifically for encounters that occur unexpectedly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "met by chance" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a clause describing an event where individuals encounter each other unexpectedly. Ludwig's examples confirm its function to add narrative flavor to encounters in various situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "met by chance" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe an unplanned encounter. Ludwig confirms its function as a narrative device to emphasize the coincidental nature of a meeting, mostly in News & Media context. It is essential to use this phrase accurately, reserving it for truly unexpected encounters and avoiding its use when describing pre-arranged meetings. Remember also that while using similar phrases such as ""encountered unexpectedly"", or ""ran into coincidentally"" adds nuance, "met by chance" remains a versatile and widely understood choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Encountered unexpectedly

Focuses on the unexpected nature of the meeting.

Ran into coincidentally

Emphasizes the coincidental aspect of the meeting.

Crossed paths randomly

Highlights the randomness of the meeting.

Happened to meet

Simple and direct way of expressing an unplanned meeting.

Met serendipitously

Adds a sense of fortunate discovery to the meeting.

Met incidentally

Similar to "met by chance" but slightly more formal.

Came across unexpectedly

Highlights the unexpectedness of finding someone.

Bumped into unexpectedly

More informal and suggests a physical encounter.

Met through serendipity

Emphasizes the role of chance and good fortune in the meeting.

Met without planning

Emphasizes the lack of prior planning.

FAQs

How can I use "Met by chance" in a sentence?

You can use "Met by chance" to describe an unplanned or coincidental meeting. For example, "We "met by chance" at a conference and became good friends."

What are some alternatives to "Met by chance"?

Alternatives include "encountered unexpectedly", "ran into coincidentally", or "happened to meet", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "We met by accident" instead of "Met by chance"?

While "met by accident" is understandable, ""met by chance"" is generally preferred for describing a coincidental meeting. "Met by accident" can sometimes imply a negative occurrence.

What is the difference between "Met by chance" and "Planned to meet"?

"Met by chance" describes an unplanned encounter, while "Planned to meet" indicates a pre-arranged meeting. They are antonyms in this context.