encounter one another

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "encounter one another" is perfectly acceptable in written English.
It is used to describe when two people or groups meet unexpectedly or coincidentally. For example: "The two hikers were surprised to encounter one another on the remote mountain trail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Seven years passed, and the two would occasionally encounter one another on business trips.

The New York Times

This common destination will increase the chance that people will encounter one another on their journey (even if the game sells millions of copies, when your playground consists of 18 quintillion planets, a single encounter is statistically unlikely).

The Guardian - Tech

More often than not, our ex-girlfriends or ex-flings will never encounter one another or interact on anything below surface level.

Huffington Post

There is no shared space where her characters might be forced to encounter one another (Barker relies heavily on coincidences and chance meetings to move the plot along), and no structure that focusses their critical or artistic attention.

The New Yorker

Don and Roger encounter one another, uneasily, in the ubiquitous elevator on their way to relatively late appearances at the office.

Huffington Post

Furthermore, if molecules do encounter one another and a replication occurs, there will now be three molecules on one site, which blocks further replication.

Biology Direct

These were bands and fans who typically encounter one another late at night, in underlighted clubs.

The New York Times - Arts

And some companies design new buildings to make it more likely that employees will encounter one another.

The New York Times

He said he didn't feel strong enough because "somehow the male and female parts of me refuse to encounter one another tonight".

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

A dream sequence in the Revenant takes place in the ruins of a church, where Glass and the ghost of Hawk encounter one another--we notice a bell swinging silently.

Huffington Post

We would meet up in hostels or inexpensive cafes, maybe travel to the next town together, then, when the differences in our itineraries or personalities appeared, go our separate ways, only to re-encounter one another down the road.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "encounter one another" when you want to emphasize the chance or unexpected nature of a meeting. It adds a touch of formality compared to phrases like "meet up" or "run into".

Common error

While "encounter one another" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "meet" or "see each other" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "encounter one another" functions primarily as a reciprocal verb phrase, indicating a mutual action or experience between two or more entities. Ludwig's examples show it describing both literal meetings and more abstract interactions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

23%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "encounter one another" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to describe a meeting or interaction, often with an element of chance or surprise. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's perfectly acceptable in written English, and is very common in news, science and academic writing. While it can be used in a variety of contexts, it leans toward the formal side, so consider simpler alternatives like "meet" or "run into" in casual conversations. Remember to use "encounter one another" when you want to highlight the unexpected nature of the meeting or interaction, adding a touch of sophistication to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meet each other

More direct and common, implies a planned or expected meeting rather than a chance encounter.

cross paths

Emphasizes the coincidental nature of the meeting; often used for brief or fleeting encounters.

run into each other

Suggests a completely unplanned, often surprising meeting.

come across one another

Similar to "run into", highlighting the unexpected discovery of the other party.

find themselves together

Focuses on the resulting state of being together, rather than the act of meeting.

interact with each other

Broader term for any kind of reciprocal action or communication.

bump into one another

Informal and emphasizes the accidental nature of the meeting.

converge

Implies movement from different directions towards a single point.

gather together

Suggests a deliberate assembly, lacking the chance element.

assemble

Suggests the action of deliberately coming together as a group.

FAQs

How can I use "encounter one another" in a sentence?

You can use "encounter one another" to describe an unexpected meeting or interaction between two or more parties. For example: "The characters in the novel unexpectedly "encounter one another", leading to a series of dramatic events."

What are some alternatives to "encounter one another"?

Some alternatives to "encounter one another" include "meet each other", "cross paths", "run into each other", or "come across one another", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is "encounter one another" formal or informal?

"Encounter one another" leans towards the formal side. In more casual settings, phrases like "meet up" or "bump into each other" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "encounter one another" and "meet each other"?

"Meet each other" typically suggests a planned or expected meeting, whereas "encounter one another" often implies a chance or unexpected meeting. While both can be used interchangeably in some contexts, "encounter one another" emphasizes the element of surprise or coincidence.