meet face-to-face

USAGE SUMMARY

"meet face-to-face" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to suggest that two people, typically in separate places, meet in person. For example: "We should try to meet face-to-face at least once a month to discuss our progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Most were also using Skype for meetings when unable to meet face-to-face or if distance supervision was involved.

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

Can't meet face-to-face to make a group decision?

University of California, Berkeley

At long last, Trump and Putin meet face-to-face.

The Washington Post

Virtual teammates should meet face-to-face occasionally.

Harvard Business Review

But the program was limited to the number of students veterans could meet face-to-face.

The New Yorker

When and how often do we need to meet face-to-face (FTF)?

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

When you can, meet face to face.

Harvard Business Review

We never did meet face to face.

The New Yorker

But Carter decided they needed to meet face to face.

The New York Times - Sports

By midspring they decided to meet face to face.

The New York Times - Style

Diplomats from Pyongyang and Washington are due to meet — face to face! — in Beijing on Thursday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "meet face-to-face" to emphasize the importance of personal interaction, especially when discussing remote collaboration or virtual meetings. It underscores the value of direct, in-person communication.

Common error

Avoid using "meet face-to-face" in situations where it's already implied that the meeting is in person. For example, saying "Let's meet face-to-face at the office" is redundant, as meetings at the office are generally assumed to be in person.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "meet face-to-face" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It describes the action of two or more people encountering each other in person. As supported by Ludwig AI, it's a common and correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "meet face-to-face" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase emphasizing the importance of in-person interaction. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It's particularly relevant in contexts where virtual communication might be insufficient, such as building relationships or resolving conflicts. While appropriate for most situations, avoid redundancy by omitting it when physical presence is already implied. Consider alternatives like "meet in person" or "have a face-to-face meeting" for variety. Overall, mastering the use of "meet face-to-face" will enhance the clarity and impact of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have a face-to-face meeting

Specifies the purpose of the meeting as being face-to-face.

meet in person

Simple and direct alternative emphasizing physical presence.

get together in person

Emphasizes the gathering aspect of the meeting.

see each other in person

Highlights the visual aspect of the meeting.

hold a physical meeting

Stresses the physical nature of the meeting.

have a personal encounter

Focuses on the encounter aspect, implying a meeting.

come together physically

Highlights the action of physically uniting for a meeting.

gather in the same location

Highlights the act of assembling in one place.

convene physically

A more formal way of saying meet in person.

interact directly

Emphasizes the directness of the interaction, implying physical presence.

FAQs

What does "meet face-to-face" mean?

The phrase "meet face-to-face" means to meet someone in person, rather than communicating online or by phone. It emphasizes direct, personal interaction.

When is it important to "meet face-to-face"?

It's often important to "meet face-to-face" when building relationships, resolving conflicts, or engaging in complex discussions that benefit from non-verbal cues. Virtual methods are sometimes insufficient for these scenarios.

What can I say instead of "meet face-to-face"?

You can use alternatives like "meet in person", "have a face-to-face meeting", or "see each other in person" depending on the context.

Is "meet face-to-face" formal or informal?

The phrase "meet face-to-face" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "convene physically" exist.