my first encounter with

USAGE SUMMARY

"my first encounter with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a particular initial event or experience. For example, "My first encounter with a digital camera proved to be an eye-opening experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

MY first encounter with my own blackness occurred in the checkout line at the grocery store.

The New York Times

MY first encounter with "American Psycho" should have prepared me for the trouble to come.

The New York Times

This was my first encounter with Denis.

Independent

It was my first encounter with the realities.

The New Yorker

Actually, this was not my first encounter with Peel.

The Guardian - Music

My first encounter with the staff punctured my skepticism.

The New York Times

My first encounter with Phyllis came on the page.

The Guardian - Books

My first encounter with the chimpanzees was unexpectedly intimate.

The Guardian - Travel

This is my first encounter with a pike.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

My first encounter with Mike Nichols was entirely characteristic.

The Guardian - Film

I remember very clearly my first encounter with politics.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "my first encounter with" to vividly describe an initial experience or introduction to a person, place, thing, or concept, providing context and personal reflection to engage your reader.

Common error

Avoid using "my first encounter with" when you simply mean a general experience. "Encounter" implies a specific meeting or coming across something, not just any interaction. For general experiences, use "my first experience with" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my first encounter with" functions as a sentence opener or a clause within a larger sentence, introducing a narrative about an initial experience. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "my first encounter with" serves as a powerful tool for introducing personal narratives and setting the stage for further discussion. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness and versatility make it suitable for various writing contexts. Remember to use it when you're describing a specific initial experience, and avoid it for general interactions. With high usage in news and media, mastering this phrase adds clarity and personal touch to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my initial experience of

Similar to "my first encounter with", but emphasizes the subjective experience.

my introduction to

Highlights the beginning of a relationship or familiarity with something.

my first exposure to

Focuses on being introduced or revealed to something new.

the first time I experienced

Emphasizes the personal experience and the novelty of the event.

when I first came across

Focuses on the moment of discovery or finding something for the first time.

how I was first introduced to

Focuses on the process of introduction to a concept or person.

my first impression of

Emphasizes the initial feeling or judgment formed.

the first time I met

Specifically refers to meeting a person for the first time.

my earliest memory of

Highlights a memory from the past, rather than just an experience.

the inaugural time I witnessed

More formal and highlights the act of seeing something for the first time.

FAQs

How can I use "my first encounter with" in a sentence?

Use "my first encounter with" to describe your initial experience of something. For example, "My first encounter with classical music was at a very young age".

What's a more formal alternative to "my first encounter with"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "my initial experience of" or "my introduction to" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "my first encounter with" and "my first experience with"?

"My first encounter with" typically implies a specific meeting or coming across something, while "my first experience with" is a broader term for any initial engagement.

What can I say instead of "my first encounter with" when referring to a person?

When referring to a person, you could say "the first time I met" or "how I was first introduced to" depending on the situation.