we met once

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we met once" is correct and can be used in written English.
Example: "I will never forget the time we met once in Paris. It was a chance encounter, but it led to a lifelong friendship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

We met once.

The New Yorker

GEORGE PACKER: We met once in Port-au-Prince, Tracy.

The New Yorker

We met once or twice a week, using work sheets and textbooks.

The New York Times - Magazine

We met once 20 years ago, when you came to see a play I wrote.

The New York Times

"We met once a day during school and also had a two-hour evening rehearsal.

The New York Times

We met once a month for just an hour or two.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

We meet once a week, for an hour.

The New Yorker

"We meet once a week to go clubbing," she says.

The Guardian

Gene wrote again: "Our history mandates that we meet once more in our lifetime.

The New Yorker

We meet once a week, hang out and talk, and go on trips together.

The Guardian

We meet once a month on a Saturday morning for an hour-ish.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When elaborating on the circumstances, follow "we met once" with details about where and when the meeting occurred to provide more context.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "we met once" without offering any additional information about the meeting. Adding details such as the location, event, or purpose of the meeting makes the statement more meaningful and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we met once" functions as a concise statement indicating a single, past encounter between the speaker and another party. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various narrative contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we met once" is a grammatically sound and commonly employed expression to describe a single past encounter. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples from diverse sources. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to establish background information or set the stage for further narrative. While versatile, providing additional context about the meeting enhances its impact. Alternative phrasing options include "we encountered each other once" and "we had a single meeting". It’s crucial to supply further details concerning the meeting’s specifics for added meaning and engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we only met one time

Simple rephrasing, emphasizing the singularity of the event. The semantic similarity is very high.

we encountered each other once

Replaces "met" with "encountered" to emphasize the accidental nature of the meeting. The semantic similarity is very high.

we shared a brief encounter

Highlights the brevity of the meeting, focusing on the shared experience. The semantic similarity is high.

we had a single meeting

Rephrases the idea of meeting once using "single meeting", offering a more formal tone. The semantic similarity is high.

it was a one-time meeting

Shifts the focus to the event itself being a one-time occurrence. The semantic similarity is high.

our paths crossed once

Emphasizes the brief and possibly coincidental nature of the meeting using a metaphorical expression. The semantic similarity is high.

we connected on one occasion

Emphasizes connection rather than just meeting. The semantic similarity is high.

we had one occasion to meet

Formalizes the meeting as a single "occasion". The semantic similarity is moderate.

we briefly convened

Uses the word "convened" suggesting a more formal or organized meeting, even if it was only once. The semantic similarity is moderate.

our meeting was isolated

Suggests the meeting was unique and not part of a series. The semantic similarity is moderate.

FAQs

How can I use "we met once" in a sentence?

You can use "we met once" to describe a past encounter, for example: "We met once at a conference in New York" or "We met once, years ago, at a friend's wedding".

What's a more formal alternative to "we met once"?

A more formal alternative could be "we had a single meeting" or "our paths crossed once". These options convey a similar meaning while maintaining a more professional tone.

Is it correct to say "we only met once"?

Yes, "we only met once" is grammatically correct and emphasizes the singularity of the meeting. It is virtually interchangeable with "we met once".

What's the difference between "we met once" and "we've met once"?

"We met once" refers to a completed event in the past, while "we've met once" (we have met once) implies that the past meeting has some relevance to the present situation or relationship.