encountered one another

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "encountered one another" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where two or more people or entities meet or come across each other, often unexpectedly. Example: "During their travels, they encountered one another in a small café in Paris."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

But the line between the two communities has increasingly blurred as C.I.A. officers and military personnel have encountered one another on multiple tours of Iraq and Afghanistan.

The New Yorker

This separation into solipsistic blocs would perhaps not be so complete if people of different political views or cultural values at least lived within hailing distance, and encountered one another on the street or in the store from time to time.

The New York Times - Books

When they encountered one another again at a nearby corner one of them pulled a gun and began firing.

The New York Times

Is that enough to inspire 20,000 people to show up in downtown Manhattan after having encountered one another nowhere but the Internet?

MIT Technology Review

The birds live within one and a half miles of one other in the rain forest of Maui, and scientists believe they have never encountered one another.

The New York Times

It's part of the continuing Possible Fireworks series, in which improvisers who haven't ever encountered one another work together and see what happens.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 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

The comedy universe is relatively small, so the 10 who made it to the house were hardly strangers -- they had been encountering one another on the road for years, had worked together, formed friendships.

The New York Times

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To improve the text flow, replace "encountered one another" with simpler synonyms like "met" or "came across" when appropriate. These alternatives often maintain the intended meaning while reducing wordiness, ensuring your writing remains concise and impactful.

Common error

While "encountered one another" is grammatically sound, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for more relaxed alternatives like "met" or "ran into" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "encountered one another" functions as a verb phrase indicating a mutual action. It typically serves as the predicate of a clause, describing the action of two or more entities meeting or coming across each other. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

13%

Science

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "encountered one another" is a grammatically correct and common verb phrase used to describe a meeting or interaction between two or more entities. According to Ludwig, its usage is widespread in "News & Media", "Academia", and "Science". Although it's generally neutral in register, it leans towards the formal side, making it suitable for professional and academic contexts. When opting for alternative phrasing, consider synonyms such as "met each other" or "came across each other" to maintain clarity and conciseness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

met each other

Simple and direct synonym, focusing on the act of meeting.

came across each other

Implies a more accidental or unexpected meeting.

crossed paths

More figurative, suggesting a brief or chance meeting.

ran into each other

Informal, implies a surprise meeting.

interacted with each other

Focuses on the interaction rather than the meeting itself.

had contact with each other

More general, includes various forms of communication or meeting.

found themselves together

Emphasizes the resulting state of being in the same place.

were brought together

Implies an external force or circumstance caused the meeting.

converged

More formal, suggesting a coming together from different directions.

found one another

Emphasizes the act of discovery or seeking.

FAQs

What does "encountered one another" mean?

The phrase "encountered one another" means that two or more people or things met, often unexpectedly. It suggests a coming together or a meeting that may or may not have been planned.

What can I say instead of "encountered one another"?

You can use alternatives like "met each other", "came across each other", or "ran into each other" depending on the context.

Is "encountered one another" formal or informal?

The phrase "encountered one another" is generally considered more formal than alternatives like "met" or "ran into". It's suitable for professional or academic writing, but might sound stilted in casual conversation.

How do I use "encountered one another" in a sentence?

Use "encountered one another" to describe a situation where two or more entities met. For example, "During their travels, they "encountered one another" in a small café." Make sure the context provides clarity on who or what is doing the encountering.