have previously met

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have previously met" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a past encounter with someone, indicating that you have met them before. Example: "I believe we have previously met at the conference last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Most social network profiles include testimonials from people who have previously met the person via the site.

The Guardian - Travel

They give the impression that the writers and directors may have previously met, may even have been people like that.

The Guardian - Opinion

At least two officers who signed the letter have previously met with Trump and offered advice on other issues.

The Washington Post

"JCQ and the qualifications regulator Ofqual have previously met with Muslim groups to discuss the timetabling of examinations in light of Ramadan moving into the examination period".

The Guardian

KICK-OFF: Sunday, 3pm   PAST THREE MEETINGS… Fulham 2 (Sidwell, Rodallega) Newcastle 1 (Ben Arfa), Premier League, December 2012 Fulham 5 (Murphy, Dempsey, Zamora) Newcastle 2 (Guthrie, Ben Arfa), Premier League, January 2012 Newcastle 2 (Best) Fulham 1 (Dempsey), Premier League, August 2011   STATS… Newcastle and Fulham have previously met 59 times in League action.

Independent

School board member Vicky Castro, who represents the Ninth Street area, said district officials have previously met with Callaghan to explain the theories behind Ninth Street's program.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

(I had previously met them for a Grantland podcast).

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I've previously met him for an article on his own superb sitcom, Toast Of London.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Obama has previously met with the spiritual leader three times, most recently in February 2014.

The Guardian

They had previously met in Miami, becoming friends, and Morgan believed that he could trust him.

The New Yorker

The panel reconvened today having previously met on 2 and 3 July.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you want to provide more information about the setting of a meeting you can rephrase to: 'have met + adverb of time/place'.

Common error

Avoid using "have previously met" with other redundant time markers like "earlier" or "beforehand". Choose one for clarity, such as saying "We "met earlier"" or "We "have previously met"" but not both.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have previously met" functions as a statement indicating a past encounter. It serves to establish that two or more parties are not meeting for the first time, suggesting a prior connection. Ludwig confirms its proper usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have previously met" is a grammatically sound and neutrally registered way to indicate a past encounter. Ludwig confirms its correct usage, highlighting its occurrence in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. While effective, it's crucial to avoid redundancy and ensure the prior meeting is relevant to the current situation. Consider concise alternatives like "met before" when appropriate. The analysis indicates that this phrase serves to establish familiarity or remind someone of a past interaction, setting the stage for further communication or understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

met before

A more concise way of saying the same thing, omitting "previously".

encountered earlier

Replaces "met" with "encountered" and "previously" with "earlier", focusing on the act of encountering.

had a prior meeting

Uses a more formal tone by using "prior meeting" instead of "met previously".

been introduced before

Focuses on the act of introduction as the initial meeting.

are already acquainted

Highlights the state of being acquainted as a result of a prior meeting.

crossed paths earlier

Emphasizes the casual or coincidental nature of the previous meeting.

have known before

Suggests a level of familiarity resulting from the prior meeting.

had dealings previously

Implies prior interactions or transactions, not just a simple meeting.

collaborated earlier

Specific to situations involving previous collaborative efforts.

interacted before

A more general term that encompasses any form of previous interaction.

FAQs

What is the difference between "have previously met" and "met before"?

While both "have previously met" and "met before" indicate a prior encounter, "have previously met" can sound slightly more formal. The choice depends on the context and desired tone.

Is it redundant to say "have previously met before"?

Yes, saying "have previously met before" is redundant. The word "previously" already implies "before", so using both is unnecessary. Stick to either ""have previously met"" or "met before".

What are some formal alternatives to "have previously met"?

Formal alternatives include "had a prior meeting", "have had prior contact", or "been acquainted with". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nature of the prior interaction.

How can I use "have previously met" in a sentence?

You can use "have previously met" to indicate that you and another person have encountered each other at some point in the past. For example: "I believe we "have previously met" at a conference last year".