their paths crossed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "their paths crossed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where two people meet or have an encounter, often unexpectedly or at a significant moment in their lives. Example: "It was a chance meeting at the coffee shop where their paths crossed, leading to a lifelong friendship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their paths crossed briefly.

The Guardian - Sport

Their paths crossed in Arizona in 1944.

The New York Times

Their paths crossed again the following year.

The New Yorker

Their paths crossed in New York and again in Cleveland.

The New York Times - Sports

Somehow, their paths crossed often, but they never met.

The New York Times - Sports

When MacKinnon was 7 or 8 and Crosby was 15, their paths crossed in an airport.

The New York Times - Sports

As their paths crossed, there seemed to be no love lost.

The New York Times - Arts

Their paths crossed, briefly, as they worked separately for the same cause.

The New York Times - Sports

But in the early 1970s, their paths crossed, and they soon became close colleagues and friends.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Hollande had promised to greet his predecessor if their paths crossed.

The New York Times

Minaya has known Collins since 1984, when their paths crossed in winter ball in Caracas, Venezuela.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "their paths crossed" to subtly imply a chance encounter or a brief, perhaps fleeting, connection between people. It adds a touch of narrative flair, especially when describing past events or relationships that evolved from an initial meeting.

Common error

Avoid using "their paths crossed" repeatedly in a short piece of writing. While appropriate in certain contexts, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and formulaic. Vary your language by using synonyms like "they met" or "they encountered each other" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "their paths crossed" functions as a narrative device to introduce a meeting or encounter between two or more individuals. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable expression. Examples in Ludwig show it often precedes explanations of subsequent interactions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Based on Ludwig's analysis, the phrase "their paths crossed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, particularly in news and media contexts. It serves to introduce a meeting or encounter between individuals, setting the stage for further narrative developments. While the phrase is deemed correct and very common, it's advisable to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "they met" or "they encountered each other" for stylistic variation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is well-established and widely understood in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they crossed paths

A variation using a different verb tense while maintaining the core meaning.

they met

A simple and direct way of saying that two or more people came into contact.

they encountered each other

This alternative focuses on the act of meeting, without necessarily implying a brief or incidental interaction.

they came across each other

Emphasizes the accidental or unexpected nature of the meeting.

their lives intersected

This phrase suggests a more significant or impactful meeting than a simple crossing of paths.

they bumped into each other

This phrase implies a casual and unplanned meeting.

they had an encounter

More formal and can imply a brief or even confrontational meeting.

their destinies converged

Suggests that the meeting was fated or had significant consequences.

they connected

A more modern term implying a bond or relationship was formed.

they were introduced

This specifies that the meeting was facilitated by a third party.

FAQs

What does "their paths crossed" mean?

The phrase "their paths crossed" means that two or more people met, usually by chance. It often suggests a brief or significant encounter that may or may not lead to a longer-term relationship or interaction.

What can I say instead of "their paths crossed"?

You can use alternatives like "they met", "they encountered each other", or "their lives intersected" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "our paths crossed"?

Yes, it is correct to say "our paths crossed". It simply means that your path and someone else's path intersected, meaning you met or encountered each other.

How is "their paths crossed" different from "they became friends"?

"Their paths crossed" indicates an initial meeting or encounter, while "they became friends" implies that a relationship developed after that initial meeting. The former is about the beginning, while the latter describes the progression of a relationship.