My first encounter with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "My first encounter with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an initial experience or meeting with a person, place, or concept. Example: "My first encounter with the ocean was during a family vacation to the beach when I was a child."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

MY first encounter with my own blackness occurred in the checkout line at the grocery store.

The New York Times

MY first encounter with "American Psycho" should have prepared me for the trouble to come.

The New York Times

My first encounter with the staff punctured my skepticism.

The New York Times

My first encounter with Phyllis came on the page.

The Guardian - Books

My first encounter with the chimpanzees was unexpectedly intimate.

The Guardian - Travel

My first encounter with Mike Nichols was entirely characteristic.

The Guardian - Film

My first encounter with a stuffed courgette was in Greece.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

My first encounter with her was much like the next dozen or so.

The New York Times

My first encounter with the book was actually through an adaptation.

The New Yorker

My first encounter with Jascha Heifetz must have come when I was about three years old.

The Guardian

My first encounter with modern art was in the botanical gardens in Edinburgh.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider adding sensory details to make the description more engaging. For example, "My first encounter with the ocean involved the salty smell of the air and the crashing sound of the waves."

Common error

Ensure that the tense used after "My first encounter with" is consistent with the timeline of the narrative. Avoid switching between past and present tenses without a clear reason.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "My first encounter with" functions as a narrative device used to introduce a personal anecdote or experience. It sets the stage for describing an initial meeting or interaction with a person, place, concept, or thing. Ludwig AI highlights its use in various contexts, from personal reflections to professional observations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "My first encounter with" is a commonly used phrase that serves as an introduction to a personal story or experience. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and versatile, fitting well within news articles and personal narratives alike. While adaptable for various contexts, it excels in setting the stage for impactful, first-hand accounts. Alternative options include "The first time I met" or "My initial experience with", which offer similar meanings with slight variations. Remember to maintain consistent tense when crafting your narrative after using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

The first time I met

Focuses on the initial meeting, specifically with a person.

My initial introduction to

Emphasizes the beginning of familiarity with a concept or thing.

The first experience I had with

Highlights the experiential aspect of the first interaction.

When I first came across

Indicates an accidental or unexpected first meeting.

My earliest memory of

Connects the first experience to a specific memory.

I was first exposed to

Highlights the idea of being introduced to something new.

The first occasion I encountered

Formal phrasing emphasizing the event of the first meeting.

I initially discovered

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

My first impression of

Highlights the formation of an opinion during the initial meeting.

The inaugural experience with

A more formal and less common way to phrase the first experience.

FAQs

How can I use "My first encounter with" in a sentence?

You can use "My first encounter with" to describe your initial experience with something. For example, "My first encounter with Italian food was at a small trattoria in Rome."

What's a more formal alternative to "My first encounter with"?

A more formal alternative is "My initial experience with". You could say, "My initial experience with quantum physics was quite challenging".

What can I say instead of "My first encounter with" when describing a person?

When describing a person, you can use alternatives like "The first time I met", or "I was first introduced to".

Is it correct to use "My first encounter was with"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct, but "My first encounter with" is generally more common and natural-sounding. You could say, "My first encounter was with a very friendly dog."