finally we met

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "finally we met" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express relief or happiness about having met someone after a long wait or anticipation. Example: "After years of chatting online, I was thrilled that finally we met at the conference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Finally we met Burt Rutan".

The Guardian

Here, finally, we met Bombay duck, a long, slim, slightly mushy local white fish (local name: bhombil or bhoomla).

The New York Times - Travel

Finally, we met a doctor who drove us to a dark alley and sold us a shunt for triple what he had paid.

The New York Times

Finally, we met the folks at Dexter Industries who are creating Raspberry Pi-based robotics projects.

TechCrunch

Finally we met the owner.

Huffington Post

And finally, we met back in London in January, 2013 to edit all the tracks together.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Finally, we meet Marcus Shaw.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"I have been interviewed by the Guardian before," William Trevor declares triumphantly when, finally, we meet.

The Guardian

Finally, we meet "the flower lady," as Hana calls her, a human-rights lawyer en route to a client in jail.

The New Yorker

Finally we meet the prima donna, Régine, Madame Saint Laurent, a demanding role performed here with intensity and stamina by the British soprano Janis Kelly.

The New York Times - Arts

Finally, we meet Jazz, born a girl, never felt like one, now 24 and well on the way (via hormone treatment) to becoming a boy.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "finally we met" to emphasize the relief or satisfaction of meeting someone after a period of anticipation or effort. This phrase works well in narratives and personal anecdotes.

Common error

Avoid using "finally we met" when simply stating you met someone for the first time. The phrase carries an implicit sense of anticipation, delay, or prior effort to connect. If there's no sense of waiting, use a more neutral phrase like "we met".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "finally we met" functions as an adverbial phrase followed by a subject-verb construction. The adverb "finally" modifies the verb "met", indicating the timing and emphasizing the culmination of a meeting after a period of anticipation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "finally we met" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that conveys a sense of relief or satisfaction when meeting someone after a period of anticipation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and the examples provided showcase its prevalent use in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While the frequency is uncommon, it's advisable to consider related phrases like "we eventually met" or "at last we met" for nuanced expressions. As highlighted in the writing guidance, it is important to ensure the situation genuinely involves anticipation or delayed connection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we eventually met

Replaces "finally" with "eventually", emphasizing the eventual nature of the meeting.

we at last met

Substitutes "finally" with "at last", conveying a sense of relief or satisfaction that the meeting has happened.

we encountered each other

This phrase is less specific about the timing but still indicates a meeting took place.

we had our first meeting

Focuses on the fact that the meeting was the first one.

we came together

Implies a purpose or reason for the meeting beyond just chance.

we convened

Suggests a more formal or organized meeting.

we were introduced

Highlights the introduction aspect of the meeting.

we made contact

Focuses on establishing communication rather than a full meeting.

we crossed paths

Implies a casual or chance meeting.

our paths converged

Emphasizes the coming together aspect, often suggesting a shared destination or purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "finally we met" in a sentence?

Use "finally we met" to express the satisfaction of meeting someone after a long wait or anticipation. For example, "After years of online correspondence, finally we met in person at the conference."

What's a more formal way to say "finally we met"?

While "finally we met" is suitable for most contexts, consider using a more formal alternative like "we at last convened" or "our paths eventually converged" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What can I say instead of "finally we met" to express a chance encounter?

If the meeting was unexpected, you might say "we crossed paths" or "we happened to meet" to indicate the unplanned nature of the encounter.

Is it correct to say "at last we met" instead of "finally we met"?

Yes, "at last we met" is a valid alternative to "finally we met". Both phrases express a similar sentiment of relief or satisfaction in having finally met someone.