we have met

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we have met" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that two people have previously encountered each other, often in a context of recognition or familiarity. Example: "I believe we have met at the conference last year, and I enjoyed our conversation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We have met Max before.

The New Yorker

We have met him.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"We have met and discussed musical aspects.

The New York Times - Arts

We have met him before.

The New Yorker

We have met all the Requirements..

The New Yorker

We have met all the Requirements...

The New Yorker

We have met previously and that helped.

The Guardian - Sport

We have met Zimmer before, briefly.

The New York Times - Books

"It is the first time we have met him".

The New York Times - Sports

"We have met the enemy and they are ours".

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

O'Driscoll added: "They have done a job on us the last three times [we have met].

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure the context clarifies whether the meeting was brief or significant, adding details if necessary to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "we meet" when referring to a past encounter. "We meet" suggests a planned or scheduled meeting in the future, while "we have met" correctly indicates a prior meeting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we have met" functions as an acknowledgment of a prior encounter. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. It serves to establish a shared experience between individuals.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we have met" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to acknowledge a previous encounter. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's suitable for various contexts, including News & Media, Science and Formal & Business settings. While similar phrases like "we encountered each other" or "we crossed paths" exist, "we have met" is a direct and versatile choice. Remember to use "we have met" to refer to prior meetings, avoiding confusion with future-tense phrases like "we meet". Overall it is a reliable and effective way to acknowledge shared history between individuals.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we encountered each other

Focuses on the action of encountering, rather than the state of having met.

we crossed paths

Implies a brief or incidental meeting.

our paths have crossed

Similar to 'we crossed paths' but emphasizes the paths themselves.

we've been introduced

Highlights the formal act of introduction.

we've made acquaintance

A more formal way of saying we have met.

we know each other

Indicates familiarity resulting from prior meetings.

we are acquainted

A formal way to express familiarity.

we've seen each other before

Emphasizes the visual recognition.

we were introduced previously

More formal and emphasizes the prior introduction.

we share a past connection

Highlights a shared history or relationship.

FAQs

How can I politely indicate that "we have met" before?

You can say "I believe "we have met before", haven't we?" or "I think we've met."

What does "we have met" imply?

It implies that both individuals have encountered each other at some point in the past, regardless of how brief or significant the meeting was.

Which is more formal, "we have met" or "we know each other"?

"We have met" is generally less formal than "we know each other", which suggests a degree of familiarity beyond a single meeting.

Is it correct to say "we have met already"?

Yes, it is correct. Adding "already" emphasizes that the meeting occurred sometime before the current moment and is complete. For example: "Yes, "we've already met" at the conference last week."