as they encounter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as they encounter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe situations or experiences that individuals face or come across during a process or journey. Example: "Students often learn valuable lessons as they encounter various challenges throughout their academic careers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Despite this complexity, the system outputs straightforward conclusions and ratings for medical decision makers to employ as they encounter difficult evidence-based decisions.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

They will be painfully blinded as soon as they encounter light.

The New York Times

During the drama, we hear the characters' inner thoughts as they encounter each other.

The Guardian - Tech

Critically, legislation provides the opportunity to raise awareness, and empower women as they encounter a society which exiles the practice and denies it an entitled normalcy.

Independent

"The idea is that this gives them the solid building blocks they need as they encounter more complicated situations as they get older.

The Guardian

She added that the most specific plans were "to take what we learned today and reshape visitor experiences as they encounter certain of the works".

The New York Times

As they encounter all sorts of tempests and setbacks, love inevitably flowers between Nicole Kidman and Hugh Russelll's agent was frankly unreasonable on the phone" Jackman.

The Guardian - Film

Hard to say, though we get a glimpse of the danger they present this week as they encounter Claire in the flooded town.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Provide each with a red and a blue pen and ask them to underline passages that express Democratic (blue) and Republican (red) attitudes as they encounter them.

The New York Times

The mood grows uneasy as they encounter a progression of small mishaps: a threatening storm, an overloaded hull, an accident near the start of the trip that sends a steady stream of water into the struggling boat.

The New York Times - Books

She evokes the physical atmosphere (the "lowing yaks" at base camp) as well as the strained relationships among the men as they encounter the rasping air at 27,000 feet, frost-nipped, taut as wire, sucking on gritty oxygen tubes.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as they encounter" to illustrate a sequence of events where the encounter directly influences subsequent actions or decisions.

Common error

Avoid using "as they encounter" when a simple 'when' or 'while' would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead of "As they encounter problems, they seek solutions", consider "When problems arise, they seek solutions".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as they encounter" functions as a subordinating conjunction, introducing a clause that specifies the time or circumstance in which an action occurs. As Ludwig indicates, it connects two events, highlighting the influence the encounter has on the subsequent action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as they encounter" functions as a versatile subordinating conjunction, effectively linking experiences with subsequent actions. Ludwig examples demonstrate its widespread usage across diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific and academic writing. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used, although writers should remain mindful of potential redundancy by replacing it with "when they meet" or "as they come across" where appropriate. Recognizing its typical usage in neutral to formal registers allows for precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as they come across

Uses 'come across' instead of 'encounter', suggesting a more accidental meeting.

when they meet

Replaces 'encounter' with 'meet', focusing on the act of coming together.

when confronted with

Stresses a more direct and possibly challenging encounter.

upon their meeting

Nominalizes the phrase, shifting the emphasis to the meeting itself.

as they are exposed to

Focuses on the exposure to something new or different.

while experiencing

Focuses on the experience during the encounter.

on finding themselves in

Highlights the situation or circumstance they find themselves in.

during their interaction with

Emphasizes the interaction aspect of the encounter.

whilst navigating

Suggests they are actively moving through something, such as a system or process.

in the process of facing

Highlights the process of dealing with a situation.

FAQs

How can I use "as they encounter" in a sentence?

Use "as they encounter" to describe situations or experiences that individuals face or come across during a process or journey. For example, "Students often learn valuable lessons as they encounter various challenges throughout their academic careers."

What can I say instead of "as they encounter"?

You can use alternatives like "as they come across", "when they meet", or "during their interaction with" depending on the context.

Is "as they encounter" interchangeable with "when they encounter"?

While similar, "as they encounter" implies a more continuous or ongoing process of encountering, whereas "when they encounter" suggests a specific instance or event. Choose the phrase that best reflects the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "as they encounter" and "as they faced"?

"As they encounter" refers to present or future encounters, while "as they faced" refers to past encounters. The choice depends on whether you're describing an ongoing or completed process.