crossed paths

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crossed paths" is correct and usable in written English.
Generally, when you use this phrase, you are referring to two people, events, or situations that have come into contact or encountered each other at some point in time. For example, "I met my best friend years ago when our paths crossed at university".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Always love when we crossed paths.

Independent

"We nearly crossed paths in Ghana once.

The Guardian

Have they ever crossed paths professionally?

The New York Times - Books

I crossed paths with no one.

The New Yorker

Kazin had crossed paths with Arvin too.

The New Yorker

Perhaps his bus crossed paths with Paul Simon's, travelling eastbound.

Independent

They initially crossed paths as children on the island.

The New York Times

During this period, Dolours crossed paths with Gerry Adams.

The New Yorker

Mr. Paladino and Mr. Cuomo never crossed paths.

The New York Times

Artists, transvestites, musicians, and society people crossed paths there.

The New Yorker

Meanwhile, Monte crossed paths with a cavalry patrol.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "crossed paths" to subtly indicate a past meeting or encounter, especially when the details of that encounter are not the primary focus. It's effective for conveying a sense of connection or shared experience without being overly specific.

Common error

Avoid using "crossed paths" when a more direct term like "met" or "encountered" would be more appropriate. "Crossed paths" implies a somewhat incidental or brief interaction, so it's not suitable for describing significant or prolonged relationships.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crossed paths" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating a meeting or encounter, often casual or incidental. Ludwig AI indicates this is a commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "crossed paths" is a widely used idiomatic phrase that signifies a meeting or encounter, often brief or incidental. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. While versatile, it's best suited for describing encounters that aren't intensely significant. Related phrases like "met incidentally" or "came into contact" can provide alternative nuances. When writing, use "crossed paths" to subtly indicate a past meeting or shared experience. Be careful to avoid it for describing major relationships where a more direct word choice is more appropriate. The phrase is considered neutral in register, making it suitable for use in a wide variety of writing contexts from news to casual conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

came into contact

A more general term referring to any form of meeting.

encountered one another

Focuses on the direct meeting between individuals.

met incidentally

Emphasizes the chance nature of the meeting.

chanced upon each other

Underscores the accidental nature of the meeting.

paths intertwined

Suggests a deeper and more lasting connection.

had an interaction

Highlights the occurrence of some form of communication or exchange.

serendipitously bumped into

Highlights an unexpected encounter.

fortuitously connected

Stresses the element of luck or good fortune in the connection.

lines converged

Implies a shared destination or objective.

orbits intersected

Suggests individuals' lives briefly overlapped.

FAQs

How can I use "crossed paths" in a sentence?

You can use "crossed paths" to describe a brief encounter or a past meeting with someone. For example, "We "crossed paths" at a conference last year" or "I'm glad our paths "crossed paths"."

What does it mean when people say they've "crossed paths"?

When people say they've ""crossed paths"", it means they've met or encountered each other, usually in a brief or incidental way. It doesn't necessarily imply a deep connection or relationship.

What are some alternatives to saying "crossed paths"?

Alternatives to ""crossed paths"" include "met incidentally", "encountered one another", or "came into contact". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "our paths will cross" in the future?

Yes, it's perfectly acceptable to say "our paths will cross" to indicate a future meeting or encounter. It implies that you expect to meet or encounter someone at some point in the future. It's similar in meaning to saying "we'll meet again".