my initial encounter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "my initial encounter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the first meeting or experience one has with a person, place, or concept. 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

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

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

The New York Times - Books

Watching him now, with his eyes closed, his unlined face white under an overhead light, I felt as if the moment of my initial encounter with him were being re-created.

The New Yorker

Watching him now, with his eyes closed, his unlined face white under an overhead light, I felt as if the moment of my initial encounter with him were being recreated.

The New Yorker

My initial encounter with a cocktail, at age 6, was a boyhattan -- extra cherry, hold the whiskey and vermouth -- served in the 1950's at restaurant supper tables so that children could participate in a round of drinks with adults.

The New York Times - Style

I visited Nantucket, Mass., in late June of this year, but my initial encounter with the island -- which lies 30 miles at sea from the south shore of Cape Cod -- happened several years ago, through literature.

The New York Times - Magazine

So after my initial encounter with Jeff Bezos, I spent a few days laying low in Sun Valley Idaho, just enjoying the life of "pool-goer surrounded by greatness" during Allen and Co's mogul conference last month.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

here were, however, no tears, indeed few outward signs of any emotion, during my initial encounters with Kanyinda.

The New York Times - Magazine

There were, however, no tears, indeed few outward signs of any emotion, during my initial encounters with Kanyinda.

The New York Times - Magazine

Drones awarded for kill-streaks are a good idea, and they also seemed to be a way of introducing handicapping to proceedings – I certainly felt like my initial encounters were evened up by what seemed like a generous supply of drones despite the absence of my kill-streak, which took a few goes to really start becoming a reality.

Independent

The diagnosis was suspected at my initial encounters and confirmed within 24 72 hours in all.

BMC Infectious Diseases

In fact, he dealt with the initial encounter reasonably well.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "my initial encounter" to add a touch of formality when describing your first experience with something, especially in writing. It implies a slightly more significant or memorable event than simply saying "my first time".

Common error

Avoid using "my initial encounter" to refer to experiences that are not the very first. Once you've had multiple encounters, it's no longer "initial".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my initial encounter" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in describing a first meeting or experience. For example, "My initial encounter with King occurred in 1961..."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "my initial encounter" is a grammatically correct and usable way to describe your first experience or meeting with something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is suitable for various contexts but leans slightly towards formal writing. While not as common as "my first meeting", it adds a touch of sophistication. It's important to remember that "initial" refers strictly to the first experience and should not be used for subsequent encounters. Top sources like The New York Times and The New Yorker frequently employ this phrase, confirming its place in standard English usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my first meeting

Replaces "encounter" with the more common word "meeting".

my first experience

Substitutes "encounter" with "experience", focusing on the overall event.

my introduction to

Highlights the beginning or initiation into something new.

when I first met

Focuses on the act of meeting someone for the first time.

the first time I encountered

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the action of encountering.

my earliest experience with

Emphasizes that it was one of the earliest experiences.

the beginning of my acquaintance with

Highlights the start of a relationship or familiarity.

my initial exposure to

Focuses on the idea of being exposed to something for the first time.

the first occasion I came across

Uses "came across" as a more casual alternative to "encounter".

the day I first encountered

Specifies the time frame of the encounter.

FAQs

What does "my initial encounter" mean?

It refers to your first experience or meeting with someone or something.

Is "my initial encounter" formal or informal?

It's relatively formal and suitable for writing or professional settings. In casual conversation, you might prefer saying "my first meeting" or "my first experience".

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

You can use alternatives like "my first meeting", "my first experience", or "my introduction to" depending on the context.

How do I use "my initial encounter" in a sentence?

For example: "My initial encounter with the city was overwhelming." or "I still remember my initial encounter with the CEO."