encounter by chance

Meaning

This phrase means to meet or run into someone unexpectedly without any prior planning. It is often used in both spoken and written English to describe surprising social collisions. The tone is neutral, making it suitable for both casual stories and slightly more formal narratives.

Examples

• I didn't expect to see my high school teacher at the airport, but we encountered each other by chance.

  I didn't expect to see my high school teacher at the airport, but we encountered each other by chance.

• Our encounter by chance at the coffee shop ended up turning into a three-hour conversation.

  Our encounter by chance at the coffee shop ended up turning into a three-hour conversation.

• She claims they met through a friend, but it was actually an encounter by chance at a museum.

  She claims they met through a friend, but it was actually an encounter by chance at a museum.

• If you encounter him by chance, please tell him I'm still looking for my book.

  If you encounter him by chance, please tell him I'm still looking for my book.

• Many great friendships start when people encounter each other by chance in unexpected places.

  Many great friendships start when people encounter each other by chance in unexpected places.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I encountered with my old friend by chance yesterday.

  ✓ I encountered my old friend by chance yesterday.

  The verb 'encounter' is transitive and does not take the preposition 'with'.

• ✗ We had a chance encounter meeting at the park.

  ✓ We had a chance encounter at the park.

  'Encounter' is already a noun meaning 'meeting', so adding the word 'meeting' right after it is redundant.

Related Expressions

Practice

• It is always exciting when you ___ an old friend in a foreign city.

  💡 Meet someone unexpectedly.

  Show answer

  encounter by chance

• I managed to ___ my favorite author at a local cafe yesterday.

  💡 Meet someone without planning.

  Show answer

  encounter by chance