sudden encounter

USAGE SUMMARY

"sudden encounter" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase can be used to describe an unexpected meeting between two people or groups of people. For example, "The president was taken aback by the sudden encounter with the protestors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

— It is a sadly familiar story: A police call to an apparent disturbance; a sudden encounter between an officer and a suspect believed to be armed; a snap decision; pops of gunfire and the terrible aftermath of blood and regret.

The New York Times

Indeed, tunneling history is filled with instances in which a sudden encounter with unanticipated conditions caused long stoppages for changes in construction methods, in design, or in both, with resulting great increases in cost and time.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In When the Lights Went Out, David Nye views power outages in America from 1935 to the present not simply as technical failures but variously as military tactic, social disruption, crisis in the networked city, outcome of political and economic decisions, sudden encounter with sublimity, and memories enshrined in photographs.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

That is demonstrated by the device of having someone engaged in an everyday task like riding the subway, weeding the garden, walking around a farm or killing time at work surprised by a sudden encounter with an entertaining event like a circus, a concert or a sky-diving lesson.

The New York Times

Or do some of them believe?" For a second, Jomier's cynicism melts away in a sudden encounter with the numinous that underlines what this cussed, crabby, but ultimately humane novel is all about – a grasping for solace in a society which seems to have rejected faith.

The Guardian - Books

Case in point: This sudden encounter with a sprinting beast.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

She had a gift for killing off oddity, making shit like this — sudden encounters in foreign countries — seem routine.

The New Yorker

"I still believe that the mildest and most obscure of Americans can be rescued from oblivion by good luck, sudden changes in fortune, sudden encounters with heroes," he concluded.

The New York Times

I see good shows on tour all year round, but it's only on the fringe – comedy's annual explosion of new stuff – that you get these glimpses of the future, these sudden encounters with unheard-of new talents and styles, these moments when promising acts discover what they were born to say and do.

The Guardian

This season's format has favoured their undoubted consistency, and they were mere seconds from avoiding defeat by Leeds last week - can they turn it on in a one-off, sudden death encounter?

BBC

Not for Adam, though: up he went, with Liam Fox's "the easiest trade deal in history …" There were barking dogs, sudden floodlights, encounters with pissheads.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sudden encounter" to effectively convey the unexpected and immediate nature of a meeting or interaction. It's particularly useful in narrative contexts to create a sense of surprise or tension.

Common error

Avoid using "sudden encounter" when a gradual or expected meeting is intended. This phrase specifically denotes an abrupt and unanticipated interaction; using it in the wrong context can mislead the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sudden encounter" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an event, specifically an unexpected meeting or interaction. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

10%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sudden encounter" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that refers to an unexpected meeting or interaction. Ludwig AI confirms this. It's most commonly found in news and media, as well as encyclopedic contexts, and has a neutral to slightly formal register. While not overly common, it effectively conveys surprise and immediacy. Consider alternatives like "unexpected meeting" or "chance meeting" to further tailor your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unexpected meeting

Focuses on the surprise aspect of the meeting, without necessarily implying confrontation.

chance meeting

Emphasizes the unplanned and coincidental nature of the encounter.

unforeseen meeting

Highlights that the meeting was not anticipated or predicted.

abrupt confrontation

Shifts the focus to a more intense and possibly hostile interaction.

surprise confrontation

Like "abrupt confrontation", but emphasizes element of surprise

impromptu meetup

Suggests a more casual and informal unplanned gathering.

casual encounter

Highlights the informal and unplanned aspects of a meeting.

fleeting interaction

Emphasizes the brief and transient nature of the contact.

chance intersection

More abstract, referring to the coincidental meeting of paths or ideas.

unanticipated contact

A more formal and neutral way of describing an unexpected meeting or communication.

FAQs

How can I use "sudden encounter" in a sentence?

You can use "sudden encounter" to describe an unexpected meeting. For instance, "The protagonist's journey took an unexpected turn after a "sudden encounter" with a mysterious stranger."

What's a good alternative to "sudden encounter"?

Alternatives to "sudden encounter" include "unexpected meeting", "chance meeting", or "abrupt confrontation", depending on the specific context.

Is "sudden encounter" formal or informal?

"Sudden encounter" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the writing. It is commonly found in news, literature, and general conversation.

What distinguishes a "sudden encounter" from a "planned meeting"?

A "sudden encounter" is characterized by its unexpectedness and lack of planning, contrasting with a "planned meeting", which involves prior arrangement and anticipation.