to have met

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to have met" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a past experience of meeting someone, often in contexts involving reflection or reporting on past interactions. Example: "I am grateful to have met so many inspiring individuals during my travels."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm so glad to have met him.

The Guardian - Books

We now seem to have met everybody.

The Guardian

Lucky me to have met Merce Cunningham.

The Guardian

And very lucky to have met him.

The Guardian - Opinion

Throughout history, who would you like to have met?

The New Yorker

Many of them seemed to have met before.

The New York Times

In Betsy Andreu, he seems to have met his match.

The New Yorker

And it's been a boon to have met him.

Independent

Leeming previously claimed never to have met or employed Kennedy.

The Guardian

These brothers barely seem to have met each other before.

The New York Times

They seem to have met in the mid-1930s.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to have met" when referring to a completed action of meeting someone in the past, often reflecting on the experience or its impact. Ensure the context clearly establishes the past timeframe.

Common error

Avoid using "to have met" to describe a future meeting. Use "to meet" or another appropriate future tense construction instead. For example, say "I hope to meet her soon" instead of "I hope to have met her soon."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to have met" functions as an infinitive phrase, often used as part of a verb phrase to express a completed action or experience in the past. As Ludwig AI states, it typically refers to a past experience of meeting someone. The examples confirm it being used in contexts involving reflection or reporting on past interactions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Social Media

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to have met" is a very common infinitive phrase used to describe a past meeting or encounter, reflecting on the experience or its significance. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, especially in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. When writing, remember to use "to have met" to describe completed actions and avoid it when referring to future meetings. Consider alternatives like "to have encountered" or "to have crossed paths with" for nuanced meaning. Its widespread usage and clear grammatical function make it a reliable choice for expressing past encounters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to have had the pleasure of meeting

Adds a polite or appreciative tone to the encounter.

to have encountered

Emphasizes a chance meeting or unexpected encounter.

to have crossed paths with

Suggests a brief or incidental meeting.

to have made the acquaintance of

Highlights the establishment of a formal or initial connection.

to have been introduced to

Indicates a formal introduction or arrangement to meet someone.

to have known

Implies a more sustained relationship or familiarity after the initial meeting.

to have come into contact with

Suggests a broader interaction, not necessarily a personal meeting.

to have shared time with

Emphasizes spending a period of time together.

to have engaged with

Suggests a more active or purposeful interaction.

to have convened with

Implies a formal or organized meeting.

FAQs

How can I use "to have met" in a sentence?

Use "to have met" when you are referring to a past meeting or encounter, often reflecting on the experience. For example, "I am grateful "to have met" such inspiring people during my journey."

What are some alternatives to "to have met"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "to have encountered", "to have crossed paths with", or "to have made the acquaintance of".

Is it correct to say "I would have liked to meet" or "I would have liked to have met"?

Both are grammatically correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "I would have liked to meet" implies a general desire to meet someone. "I would have liked "to have met"" specifically refers to a missed opportunity or a past desire that is now unfulfilled.

What is the difference between "to meet" and "to have met"?

"To meet" refers to a future or potential encounter, while ""to have met"" refers to a completed action in the past. For example, "I hope to meet you soon" (future) versus "I am glad "to have met" you" (past).