former encounter with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "former encounter with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a past meeting or interaction with someone or something. Example: "During our discussion, I recalled my former encounter with the author at the book signing event."

✓ Grammatically correct

Brain Research

News & Media

Wikipedia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Repetition priming refers to the change in the ability to perform a task on a stimulus as a consequence of a former encounter with that very same item.

Brain Research

Repetition priming refers to the change in the ability to perform a task on a stimulus as a consequence of a former encounter with that very same item (for a review see Schacter and Slotnick, 2004).

Brain Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In the documents, the former FBI director detailed his early encounters with newly-minted President Donald Trump, including Trump's obsession with disproving allegations in the infamous Steele dossier and his demands for aides' loyalty.

Huffington Post

Mr. Lee had previous encounters with the police.

The New York Times

(You could get a lot more mileage by describing your encounter with former Gov. Eliot Spitzer than former Gov. George Pataki).

The New York Times

The former Daily Star reporter turns the tables on the tabloids by doorstepping a couple of editors and also has an encounter with former Sun editor Kelvin MacKenzie.

The Guardian

Mr. Kucinich, sitting in an exit row, was still riled about his encounter with former Gov.

The New York Times

Jeremy Paxman won the battle of the leader interviews with his Newsnight successor Evan Davis after the former Today presenter's encounter with David Cameron was watched by fewer than 2 million viewers on BBC1.

The Guardian

Lynch made an unusual public promise last week to follow the FBI's recommendation, after a brief airport encounter with former president Bill Clinton created controversy around her independence in the investigation.

The Guardian

Upon his arrival in Virginia, Watson had a chance encounter with former President George Washington.

Forbes

She had previously confronted military officials in "Deep Throat", and has "carefully worded" her reports to protect her partner Mulder from ridicule, but an encounter with former colleague Tom Colton forces her to openly choose between Mulder and the politics of careerism.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "former encounter with", ensure the context clearly establishes who or what was encountered. This phrase is most effective when providing background or referring back to a previously mentioned interaction.

Common error

Avoid using "former encounter with" if the subject of the encounter isn't immediately obvious. Ambiguity can confuse the reader. Provide a specific reference or clarification to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "former encounter with" functions as a noun phrase, often used as an object of a preposition or as a modifier within a sentence. It serves to specify a particular interaction that occurred at some point in the past. Ludwig confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "former encounter with" is a grammatically correct phrase used to refer to a prior meeting or interaction. According to Ludwig, while not highly frequent, its usage appears primarily in News & Media and Science contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the subject of the encounter is clear to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "previous interaction with" or "prior meeting with" may be suitable depending on the specific context. As supported by Ludwig, the phrase is appropriate for professional and neutral registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previous interaction with

Replaces 'encounter' with 'interaction', emphasizing a broader range of possible engagements beyond a simple meeting.

prior meeting with

Substitutes 'encounter' with 'meeting', focusing on planned or arranged engagements.

past experience with

Changes the focus from a specific encounter to an experience, indicating a broader impact or learning.

early dealings with

Emphasizes initial interactions in a business or formal context.

initial contact with

Highlights the very first interaction or communication.

first experience of

Focuses on the initial feeling or sensation of something.

a previous brush with

Suggests a brief or superficial interaction, often with potential for conflict or danger.

an earlier engagement with

Implies a formal or planned interaction, such as a meeting or debate.

a prior involvement with

Highlights participation or connection in an activity or situation.

a past association with

Suggests a formal or professional connection that existed in the past.

FAQs

How can I use "former encounter with" in a sentence?

You can use "former encounter with" to refer to a past meeting or interaction, as in "My analysis of the situation was influenced by my "former encounter with" the subject."

What are some alternatives to "former encounter with"?

Alternatives include "previous interaction with", "prior meeting with", or "past experience with", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "previous encounter" or "former encounter"?

"Previous encounter" and "former encounter" are often interchangeable, but "former" tends to imply a more distant or less relevant connection than "previous".

How does "former encounter with" differ from "first encounter with"?

"Former encounter with" refers to any encounter that happened in the past, while "first encounter with" specifically denotes the very first meeting or interaction.