to encounter

USAGE SUMMARY

"to encounter" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a situation where you have come across someone or something by chance or unexpectedly. For example: As I rounded the corner of the street, I was surprised to encounter an old friend.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"You don't know going to encounter".

The New York Times

There are no actual people to encounter.

The New York Times - Arts

I expected to encounter intense emotions.

The New York Times

Only to encounter yet another line.

The New York Times

Who was I expecting to encounter?

The Guardian

He is likely to encounter substantial opposition.

The New York Times

I know what I'm going to encounter.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's unrelenting.

The New Yorker

Of course, you don't need to travel to encounter germs.

The New York Times

It is not unusual for members to encounter gunfire.

The New York Times

And video-calling may begin to encounter stiff resistance.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to encounter" when you want to describe a chance meeting or unexpected experience. It's more formal than "to run into" but less aggressive than "to confront".

Common error

Avoid using "to encounter" in very casual conversations. Opt for more relaxed alternatives like "to run into" or "to bump into" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to encounter" primarily functions as an infinitive verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It's used to introduce a verb, often indicating the act of meeting someone or experiencing something, usually unexpectedly.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

18%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to encounter" is a grammatically sound and frequently used infinitive verb phrase that describes the act of unexpectedly meeting or experiencing something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and is used in many examples. While it's appropriate for various contexts, it leans toward a neutral to professional register, often found in news and media, scientific publications, and encyclopedias. When aiming for a more casual tone, alternatives such as "to run into" or "to bump into" may be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to come across

This alternative emphasizes the accidental nature of the meeting or discovery.

to run into

This alternative is more informal and suggests a casual, unplanned meeting.

to meet unexpectedly

This alternative highlights the surprise element of the encounter.

to stumble upon

This alternative emphasizes the accidental and often fortunate nature of the discovery.

to be confronted with

This alternative emphasizes the challenging or problematic nature of what is encountered.

to be faced with

This alternative is similar to 'to be confronted with', but can be slightly less intense.

to experience

This alternative is broader, covering any kind of experience, not just meetings.

to face

This alternative suggests a more direct and potentially confrontational interaction.

to be exposed to

This alternative emphasizes the experience of being subjected to something, often new or unfamiliar.

to find oneself

This alternative suggests a situation or state that one unexpectedly enters.

FAQs

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

You can use "to encounter" to describe unexpectedly meeting someone or experiencing something, for example: "I didn't expect to encounter such resistance" or "Travelers may encounter delays due to the storm".

What's the difference between "to encounter" and "to meet"?

"To encounter" often implies an unplanned or unexpected meeting, while "to meet" is more general and can refer to planned or chance meetings. "I went to the conference to meet new people" vs. "I didn't expect to encounter him at the grocery store".

What can I say instead of "to encounter"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "to come across", "to run into", or "to experience". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I am encountering difficulties"?

Yes, it is correct. "Encountering" can be used in the present continuous tense to describe the ongoing experience of facing difficulties or challenges. For example: "The project team is encountering several technical challenges".