initial encounter with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "initial encounter with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the first meeting or interaction with someone or something. Example: "My initial encounter with the new software was both exciting and challenging as I navigated its features for the first time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was in first year and this was his initial encounter with patients.

The Guardian

Then, the initial encounter with the crew had badly soured his enthusiasm.

The New York Times

I first read these stories perhaps 10 years after my initial encounter with "James and the Giant Peach".

The New York Times - Books

Even before the initial encounter with the provider, they may suffer anxiety, fear, or other intense emotions.

Harvard Business Review

They cautioned that details of that struggle and Smith's initial encounter with the armed security guards are not yet known.

The Washington Post

Nonetheless, the 4E10 BNAb extracts buried W672 and F673 after initial encounter with the surface-embedded MPER.

Immunity

For many music-lovers, including me, our initial encounter with the gangly-limbed Serge Gainsbourg of Sheffield came 15 years ago.

The Guardian - Music

The initial encounter with Mr. Wallace in Prague was only the beginning of Mr. Goodfellow's indirect role in the BlackBerry case.

The New York Times

Klinenberg's initial encounter with the growing ranks of singletons, he explains, came while researching his first book, about the Chicago heat wave of 1995.

The New Yorker

Not coming across as you intend particularly in your initial encounter with someone can cause big problems in your personal and professional life.

Harvard Business Review

In "What You Have Heard Is True," Forché traces how this initial encounter with a stranger irrevocably changed the course of her art and her life.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "initial encounter with" to effectively set the stage for a narrative or analysis by emphasizing the starting point of a relationship, process, or understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "initial encounter with" when describing ongoing or repeated interactions. This phrase specifically refers to the very first meeting or experience, not to later developments or familiarities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initial encounter with" functions as a noun phrase that often acts as a subject or object in a sentence. It denotes the very first experience or meeting someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "initial encounter with" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that describes a first meeting or experience. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its proper usage across varied contexts, from news and media to scientific and academic domains. While alternatives exist, such as "first meeting with" or "first interaction with", "initial encounter with" effectively sets the stage for a narrative by emphasizing the starting point. Be mindful of using it specifically for first encounters and avoid it for subsequent interactions. The phrase maintains a neutral to formal register, making it suitable for diverse writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first meeting with

Replaces "encounter" with "meeting", emphasizing the act of coming together.

first interaction with

Substitutes "encounter" with "interaction", highlighting the reciprocal action between entities.

first experience with

Emphasizes the experiential aspect of the initial interaction.

introductory meeting with

Adds formality by using "introductory" to describe the meeting.

first contact with

Implies a more formal or distant first meeting, like with an organization or concept.

opening engagement with

Replaces "encounter" with "engagement", suggesting a more active and involved interaction.

inaugural introduction to

Uses "inaugural" and "introduction" for a more ceremonious or formal tone.

premiere exposure to

Highlights the novelty or newness of the experience.

original experience of

Highlights the uniqueness of the experience.

genesis of contact with

Focuses on the origin or beginning of the contact or interaction.

FAQs

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

You can use "initial encounter with" to describe a first meeting or experience. For example: "Her initial encounter with the city was overwhelming." or "His "initial encounter with" the software was challenging."

What can I say instead of "initial encounter with"?

You can use alternatives like "first meeting with", "first interaction with", or "first experience with", depending on the context. See more alternatives "here".

Is it redundant to say "first initial encounter with"?

Yes, using "first initial encounter with" is redundant because "initial" already implies that it is the first. It's better to simply use ""initial encounter with"".

What's the difference between "initial encounter with" and "subsequent encounters with"?

"Initial encounter with" refers to the very first meeting or experience, while "subsequent encounters with" refers to later or repeated meetings or experiences with the same person or thing.