a significant encounter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a significant encounter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an important or meaningful meeting or interaction between individuals or groups. Example: "The conference provided a platform for a significant encounter between industry leaders and emerging entrepreneurs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Writers were asked to recall a significant encounter – an unforgettable experience that shaped them.

Independent

Neither his gnomish appearance nor that umbrella prevented a significant encounter at the party that evening with Emilie Bardach, an 18-year-old from Vienna who was visiting Gossensass with her mother.

The Guardian

After La Real's recent struggles, the trip to Las Palmas was always billed as a significant encounter for Moyes's regime, but the general feeling was that his job was safe unless his team delivered a disastrous display.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Yet his initial significant encounter with north Wales was a result of his role as an official war artist during World War Two, as in 1943 he was tasked with recording the interior of Manod Mawr quarry by the War Artists Advisory Committee.

BBC

But their more significant encounter came afterwards when they held a private bilateral meeting.

The Guardian

9/11 was a crime against humanity, and tragically, it was the first significant encounter many Americans had with radical Islam or Islam of any sort.

Huffington Post

The Russians would later claim that it was Litvinenko who had poisoned them, during this, their first significant encounter in Mayfair.

The Guardian

Her first significant encounter with erotic content was seeing Jean-Jacques Annaud's coming-of-age film "L'amant," an adaptation of Marguerite Duras' autobiography.

Huffington Post

Much of the book is a love ballad to his heady university years at Columbia, Cambridge, and Yale, chronicling a series of significant encounters with, among others, Lionel Trilling, F. R. Leavis, and Harold Bloom.

The New Yorker

A significant problem encountered with increasing deuteron current was beam-induced electron backstreaming.

Applied Radiation and Isotopes

Flow over a circular cylinder is a significant phenomenon encountered in a wide range of engineering and industrial applications.

European Journal of Mechanics - B-Fluids

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a significant encounter" when you want to emphasize the importance and potential impact of a meeting or interaction on someone or something. Be mindful of the context to ensure it aligns with the gravity of the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "a significant encounter" for trivial or everyday interactions. Reserve it for events or meetings that truly have a noteworthy impact or potential consequence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant encounter" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a specific event characterized by its importance or impact. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant encounter" is a noun phrase used to describe an important or impactful meeting or interaction. While Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness, its usage should be reserved for events with genuine consequence. As suggested by Ludwig, semantically related alternatives include "a meaningful meeting" or "an impactful interaction". The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts and has a neutral to professional register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a memorable encounter

Focuses on the lasting impact and recall value of the interaction.

a meaningful meeting

Focuses on the depth and importance of the meeting.

an unforgettable experience

Highlights the memorable and impactful nature of the experience.

an impactful interaction

Highlights the effect the interaction had.

a crucial meeting

Emphasizes the decisiveness and critical importance of the meeting.

a pivotal moment

Emphasizes a turning point or critical juncture.

a consequential interaction

Emphasizes the importance and resulting consequences of the interaction.

an influential meeting

Focuses on the power and impact the meeting can have.

a formative experience

Stresses the role of the experience in shaping someone.

a life-changing event

Highlights that the event can provoke a transformation in someone's life.

FAQs

How can I use "a significant encounter" in a sentence?

Use "a significant encounter" to describe a meeting or interaction that has a profound or lasting impact. For example, "Her "significant encounter" with the Dalai Lama changed her perspective on life."

What are some alternatives to "a significant encounter"?

You can use alternatives such as "a meaningful meeting", "an impactful interaction", or "a pivotal moment" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a significant encounter"?

It's best to use "a significant encounter" when describing an event or meeting that has a clear and lasting impact, influencing future actions, decisions, or perspectives. Avoid using it for casual or unimportant interactions.

Is "significant meeting" the same as "a significant encounter"?

While similar, "a significant encounter" often implies a more personal or transformative experience than "significant meeting". An encounter suggests a direct and impactful interaction, whereas a meeting can be more formal or transactional.