bumped into one another

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'bumped into one another' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a physical interaction between two people (or other objects), e.g. "The two men walking in the hallway accidentally bumped into one another."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"If you'd asked me how my parents met," he says today, "I'd have hazarded a guess that they bumped into one another on a hospital corridor, because I knew they'd both had long periods recovering from wartime ill-health".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

People bumped into one another, smiled and bumped on.

The New York Times

The dancers playfully bumped into one another in the Sanguine episode.

The New York Times - Arts

Near the building, pedestrians bumped into one another as they strode briskly to work with their necks craned for a glimpse of the ape not present.

The New York Times

Old friends and neighbors bumped into one another, familiar faces came a mile a minute, even more than back in Odessa, since they were living in greater concentration.

The New York Times

"We almost physically bumped into one another," he recalled, "and it was like 'Don't I know you,' and everything just kind of happened from there".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

His players still sometimes bump into one another on the court.

The New York Times - Sports

MARQUIS GOES DEEP The three Cubs who had preceded Jason Marquis with soft singles trotted to a slightly mismatched tune, nearly bumping into one another on their journey home.

The New York Times - Sports

The Germans invaded the Soviet Union in June , 1941 with more than three million men, yet these five people keep bumping into one another on the Eastern Front as if they were crisscrossing a large fairground.

The New Yorker

Follow Connor on Thetter.

Vice

Hundreds has the makings of similar popularity: a stylish-yet-minimal puzzle game where you tap on circles to make them grow, while avoiding having your finger on them when they bump into one another.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bumped into one another" to describe a brief, often accidental, physical encounter or a chance meeting. It's suitable for informal contexts and emphasizes the unplanned nature of the interaction.

Common error

While "bumped into one another" is perfectly acceptable in casual conversation and news articles, consider using more formal alternatives like "met unexpectedly" or "encountered" in academic or business writing to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bumped into one another" functions as a phrasal verb indicating an accidental meeting or collision. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is valid and usable in English. Examples show its application in describing both physical encounters and chance meetings.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bumped into one another" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an accidental meeting or physical collision. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used and understood in English. Predominantly found in news and media, it carries a neutral register, making it suitable for various contexts except for the most formal writing. For more formal alternatives, you might consider phrases like "met unexpectedly" or "encountered accidentally". Remember to use "bumped into one another" when you want to emphasize the unplanned and often brief nature of the encounter.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

met by chance

A simple and direct way to express an unplanned meeting.

met unexpectedly

Focuses on the unplanned nature of the meeting, rather than a physical collision.

encountered accidentally

Highlights the unintentional aspect of the meeting.

came across one another

Emphasizes finding or discovering each other unexpectedly.

ran across each other

Suggests a casual and unplanned meeting.

had an unexpected encounter

Highlights the element of surprise and unpredictability.

stumbled upon each other

Implies a degree of surprise and lack of intention.

collided unintentionally

Emphasizes the lack of intent in the collision.

crossed paths coincidentally

Highlights the chance nature of the meeting.

met haphazardly

Highlights the unplanned and disorganized nature of the meeting.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "bumped into one another" to sound more formal?

For more formal situations, consider using phrases like "met unexpectedly", "encountered accidentally", or "crossed paths coincidentally".

Is it correct to say "bumped into each other" instead of "bumped into one another"?

Yes, "bumped into each other" is a perfectly acceptable and commonly used alternative to "bumped into one another". Both phrases convey the same meaning of a chance encounter.

What does "bumped into one another" imply about the meeting?

The phrase "bumped into one another" implies that the meeting was unplanned, accidental, and often brief. It suggests a lack of prior arrangement or expectation.

Can "bumped into one another" be used in contexts other than describing people?

Yes, although less common, "bumped into one another" can be used to describe objects colliding or concepts intersecting, such as "ideas that "met by chance"" or "competing projects that "collided unintentionally"".