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I happened to meet him vs I met him by chance

Both phrases are correct and convey a similar meaning. 'I happened to meet him' implies that the meeting occurred unexpectedly or by chance. 'I met him by chance' directly states that the meeting was unplanned. The choice between the two depends on your personal preference or the desired tone of the sentence.
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Explained by Jennifer
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: September 16, 2024 • 18211 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express an unexpected or chance meeting.

"I happened to meet him"

This phrase is used to describe a meeting that occurred unexpectedly or by chance, without prior planning.

Examples:

  • I happened to meet him at the grocery store yesterday.
  • She happened to meet her old friend while walking in the park.
  • He happened to meet his favorite actor at the airport.
  • They happened to meet at a conference last year.
  • We happened to meet each other at the party.
  • From Terry's newsletter: · Preparation: I followed Jason and listened to his podcast​ · Opportunity: I happened to meet him in person · Action: I provided free ...
  • Mar 15, 2020 ... What is the difference between I met him by chance yesterday. and I happened to meet him yesterda... What is the difference between We are ...
  • Learn the definition of 'I happened to meet him'. Check out the pronunciation, synonyms and grammar. Browse the use examples 'I happened to meet him' in the ...
  • Oct 9, 2024 ... But I happened to meet him in 2008 & 2009 for two important reasons. First, it was to report about a significant dream when Tata Motors ...
  • Mar 24, 2021 ... "I happened to meet him." How can I use the word "accidentally" in this sentence? · I met him accidentally. I accidentally met him. · I met him ...
  • Aug 30, 2015 ... I happened to meet him one day when I was presenting at a show. Very nice guy. He'll have episodes ready when they're ready. Upvote 9
  • May 5, 2017 ... I happened to meet him and the memory of that event remains strong even though it was over 47 years ago. Professors Row, Thayer Road, West ...
  • Sep 15, 2012 ... ... I happened to meet him, and his wife, Marilyn Monroe, in Connecticut in 1958-60. Miller had not yet written his play After the Fall, which ...
  • Let me tell you a little story about the worst client I ever had and how I happened to meet him/her/it finishing in so a fantastic business relationship.

Alternatives:

  • I coincidentally met him.
  • I chanced upon him.
  • I unexpectedly met him.
  • I randomly met him.
  • I fortuitously met him.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express an unplanned meeting.

"I met him by chance"

This phrase directly states that a meeting was unplanned or occurred by coincidence.

Examples:

  • I met him by chance at the library.
  • She met her future business partner by chance at a networking event.
  • He met his long-lost friend by chance on the street.
  • They met by chance at a mutual friend's party.
  • We met by chance while waiting for the bus.
  • Apr 13, 2017 ... Synonym for I met him by chance yesterday. They are practically the same thing; just phrase differently in a sense.
  • ... I met him - by chance - at our local pub; The Volunteer. It was during a brief bathroom break that we stumbled across our very first case. A case that would ...
  • Sep 4, 2018 ... I met him by chance a couple of NAMM's ago when I was out partaking in a 'couple of beers' with the legend that is Andy Wood (insert name ...
  • Apr 27, 2022 ... elzey93. • 3y ago •. I met him by chance in Puerto Rico on NYE 2018. I also had an amazing experience with him. So nice and humble and he ...
  • Oct 26, 2023 ... ... I met him by chance when he was working on some Lowriders and laying his beautiful strips and famous woodgrain. It was cool to see his work ...
  • Dec 1, 2021 ... Here's a story about when I met him—by chance—and the creative insight he passed along in a five-minute chat. Back in 1990 I was out with a ...
  • Sep 27, 2022 ... I met my 'childhood sweetheart' when I was still a teenager. I met him by chance, really - a cheeky reprobate who used to use the same copse to ...
  • Mar 28, 2018 ... I "met him by chance" on Youtube. Now, October 2014 I'm starting to write these ramblings because I want to sort out my thoughts and ...
  • Apr 11, 2014 ... He once offered to hold my beer when I met him by chance at the entrance of a supermarket; the bottle protruding from my coat pocket attracting ...
  • Mar 15, 2019 ... ... I met him by chance at a clergy association lunch, and he is very interested in The Lutheran Missal project. (His collection of Lutheran…

Alternatives:

  • I unexpectedly encountered him.
  • I accidentally ran into him.
  • I coincidentally bumped into him.
  • I randomly crossed paths with him.
  • I fortuitously encountered him.

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