they encounter

USAGE SUMMARY

"they encounter" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that two or more people experience, or when you want to emphasize the collective experience of a group. For example, "They encountered numerous difficulties as they worked on their group project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There they encounter a 5 m.p.h.

The New York Times

What redundancies do they encounter?

The Washington Post

Where do they encounter it?

The Guardian

They encounter the ever-growing permissions bureaucracy.

Stanford University

And at first, they encounter less discrimination.

The New York Times

Along the way they encounter Ben Mendelsohn.

The Guardian - Film

They encounter it in their daily lives, so why shouldn't they encounter it in the theatre?

The Guardian

They encounter fewer women than men in positions of leadership.

The New York Times

Her fingers move up until they encounter small curls.

The New Yorker

Long descriptions of the countryside & animals they encounter.

The New Yorker

As people travel, they encounter different environments and peoples.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they encounter", ensure that the context clearly defines who "they" refers to. Clarity is key to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "they encounter" in extremely informal contexts. While generally acceptable, more casual alternatives like "they run into" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they encounter" functions as a verb phrase, where "they" is the subject pronoun and "encounter" is the verb. It indicates that a group of people experiences or meets something, whether planned or unplanned, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

25%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they encounter" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe an experience or meeting a group of people undergoes. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It maintains a neutral tone, suitable for a variety of contexts, from news and media to scientific and academic writing. While alternatives like "they meet" or "they face" exist, the choice depends on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey. Be mindful of the context to ensure the phrase is appropriate, especially in very informal situations. When crafting your sentences, focus on clarifying who "they" refers to, to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they come across

This is a more informal and general alternative, suitable for everyday conversation.

they meet

This alternative is specifically used when referring to people.

they experience

This is a broader term, encompassing a wider range of sensations and events.

they face

This implies a more challenging or difficult experience.

they run into

This suggests an unexpected or unplanned meeting or discovery.

they stumble upon

This implies a chance or accidental discovery.

they confront

This suggests a direct and often challenging encounter.

they are faced with

This emphasizes the passivity of the subject in the encounter.

they are exposed to

This alternative highlights being subjected to something, often implying a learning or transformative experience.

they chance upon

This emphasizes the element of luck and serendipity in the encounter.

FAQs

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

The phrase "they encounter" is used to describe a situation where a group of people meets or experiences something. For example, "As they traveled through the forest, they encountered a hidden village."

What phrases are similar to "they encounter"?

Alternatives to "they encounter" include "they come across", "they meet", or "they face", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "they encounter" formal or informal?

"They encounter" is generally considered neutral in formality and is suitable for both formal and informal writing. However, in very casual conversation, phrases like "they run into" might be preferred.

What's the difference between "they encounter" and "they confront"?

"They encounter" simply means they meet or experience something, while "they confront" suggests a more direct and often challenging meeting. The choice depends on whether the meeting is passive or involves active engagement.