I accidentally met vs I met by chance

Both phrases are correct and convey a similar meaning, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'I accidentally met' implies that the meeting was unplanned or unexpected, while 'I met by chance' suggests that the meeting was a result of luck or coincidence.

Last updated: April 05, 2024 • 1074 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"I accidentally met"

This phrase is used to describe a meeting that was not planned or intended, but happened unexpectedly.

Examples:

I accidentally met my old friend at the grocery store.
She accidentally met her favorite author at the book signing event.

Show examples from the web [+]

After the war, during a trip to Czarny Staw, I accidentally met with such a high full guy who said his name Panski.
I got the days wrong and I accidentally met Laura.
Yesterday, we accidentally met each other briefly.
George Travers, after a dissolute life, accidentally met his brother in London, was rescued by him, instructed, and received into the Church.
It is found up to 1.600/1.700 metres but, being an incessant and strong flyer, it may be accidentally met also at much higher altitudes.
Even more bizarre apps like Asap54 and Snapfashion that allow buying clothes being worn by a passerby accidentally met on the street and that welled your curiosity.
He didn't remember anything at all about his mother, so when one day he accidentally met her - being the daughter of a goddess, she was still young and beautiful - he fell in love with her.
But one day, when she suddenly passed by her billboard commercial, she accidentally met Ren Jie who came to cheer her up after her father's death.
Had they not met accidentally, there would not have been any warning.
If met means accidentally ending up in the same photo as her, then... yes.
I accidentally pushed his thingy off.
I accidentally opened Ken Cosgrove's paycheck.
I... I accidentally touched my girlfriend.
I accidentally wore colored lip balm yesterday.
I accidentally spilled wine on her carpet.
Because I accidentally discharged my weapon.
Sir, I accidentally saw your paycheck.
I accidentally grabbed one belonging to an acquaintance.
I think I accidentally got the remedial homework.
I accidentally leapt off a building.

Alternatives:

I unexpectedly met
I coincidentally met
I unintentionally met
I ran into

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"I met by chance"

This phrase is used to describe a meeting that occurred due to luck or coincidence, rather than being planned.

Examples:

I met my neighbor by chance at the park.
We met by chance at the airport.

Show examples from the web [+]

In Palazzetto, along the road to Siena to attend the Palio, I met by chance Alberto, Angelo e Claudio, three Vespa-riders from Mantua and we lunched together.
You know who I met by chance, up at the abandoned hunting outpost?
That may even be why your father and I met by chance
AUTHOR'S PRESENTATION In the Summer 1997, when I was on vacation in the mountains as usual, I met by chance a member of the TrompetenEnsemble Linz, an Austrian trumpet ensemble especially devoted to ancient music and to contemporary music, and we became friends.
Press Colin and I met by chance on a day when I felt that I had to email him and he felt he had to receive an e-mail.
"Colin and I met by chance on a day when I felt that I had to email him and he felt he had to receive an e-mail. If it happened even just an hour later, I probably would not be here talking about it."

Alternatives:

I happened to meet
I chanced upon
I encountered unexpectedly
I stumbled upon

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I accidentally met vs I met by chance