initial meeting with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "initial meeting with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the first meeting or encounter with someone, often in a professional or formal context. Example: "We scheduled an initial meeting with the new client to discuss the project requirements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

If the talks go forward next week, the two sides will probably meet face to face for the first time since their initial meeting with the judge on Nov. 30.

The New York Times

"Positive initial meeting with Ashton," Mr. Zarif wrote.

The New York Times

Yet from her initial meeting with Mr. Flimm, she was inspired by his vision.

The New York Times

I had an initial meeting with a counsellor and then with a nurse.

The Guardian

"It was funny at first," recalled Mr. Tyelkov of his initial meeting with the police.

The New York Times

An initial meeting with Confederate President Jefferson Davis met with approval for the "humanitarian crusade".

The New York Times

In a PBS documentary about Brooks, Wilder was asked if he thought his initial meeting with Brooks was significant.

The Guardian - Film

Connecticut's borrowers are typically referred to financial counselors after the initial meeting with the mediator and a lender's representative.

The New York Times

After an initial meeting with Mr. Halderman, Mr. Letterman's personal lawyer, Jim Jackoway, contacted the Manhattan district attorney's office.

The New York Times

His initial meeting with a third party at a far-from-innocuous cafe takes place in circumstances crackling with unease, an almost Truman Show theatre of paranoia.

The Guardian - Film

An initial meeting with Accel Partners, a leading venture capital firm in Palo Alto, took place last week, according to several people close to the talks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow up the "initial meeting with" a summary of key decisions, next steps, and any agreed-upon actions to ensure everyone is aligned and to provide a clear record of what was discussed.

Common error

Avoid referring to a later encounter as the "initial meeting with" if previous meetings have already occurred. This can create confusion and misrepresent the sequence of events. Instead, use terms like "subsequent meeting" or "follow-up discussion".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initial meeting with" functions as a noun phrase acting as an adverbial modifier, typically specifying the starting point or context of a process, decision, or relationship. As evidenced by Ludwig, it sets the stage for subsequent events or actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "initial meeting with" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to denote the very first encounter between individuals or groups. According to Ludwig AI, it is used in formal and informal contexts, across diverse areas, but especially in news, business and scientific fields. While simple, make sure you are not confusing this phrase with any subsequent meeting, which will require a different terminology. Remember that the phrase has several interchangeable alternatives, such as "first meeting with", if you want to avoid repetitions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first meeting with

Replaces "initial" with "first", emphasizing the chronological order.

introductory meeting with

Substitutes "initial" with "introductory", highlighting the purpose of the meeting.

preliminary meeting with

Uses "preliminary" instead of "initial", suggesting the meeting is preparatory.

opening discussion with

Replaces "meeting" with "discussion", focusing on the conversational aspect.

early consultation with

Changes "meeting" to "consultation", implying a more advisory or informative session.

first appointment with

Uses "appointment" instead of "meeting", suggesting a scheduled and formal encounter.

original conference with

Replaces "meeting" with "conference", indicating a more formal gathering.

launch meeting with

Substitutes "initial" with "launch", emphasizing the beginning or start of something.

kickoff session with

Uses "kickoff session" instead of "initial meeting", highlighting the start of a project or activity.

inaugural summit with

Replaces "meeting" with "summit", implying a high-level and important discussion.

FAQs

What is another way to say "initial meeting with"?

Alternatives include "first meeting with", "introductory meeting with", or "preliminary meeting with". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

How do I use "initial meeting with" in a sentence?

You might say, "During the "initial meeting with" the client, we discussed project goals and timelines." or "The "initial meeting with" the team leader helped clarify expectations for the new assignment."

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

Yes, saying "first initial meeting with" is redundant. Since "initial" already implies that it is the first, using "first" before it is unnecessary and can sound awkward. Just use either "initial meeting with" or "first meeting with".

What's the difference between "initial meeting with" and "follow-up meeting with"?

"Initial meeting with" refers to the very first encounter, while "follow-up meeting with" indicates a subsequent meeting to discuss progress, address concerns, or continue discussions from the initial meeting.