run into vs encounter

Both 'run into' and 'encounter' are correct phrases in English, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'Run into' is more informal and is often used in casual conversations, while 'encounter' is more formal and can be used in both casual and formal situations.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 1754 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in informal conversations to mean unexpectedly meet someone or something.

"run into"

The phrase 'run into' is used to describe unexpectedly meeting someone or something, often by chance. It is more informal and commonly used in casual conversations.

Examples:

I ran into my old friend at the supermarket.
I hope we don't run into any problems during the project.
I ran into a famous actor at the airport.
She ran into her ex-boyfriend at the party.
We might run into traffic on the way to the concert.

Show examples from the web [+]

You might run into a few unneighborly types.
I keep expecting to run into Claudio or Miranda.
I saw a black cat run into the house.
It is less likely that we'll run into people we know.
Just the two students I was hoping to run into.
It's too likely she'll run into someone from her old life.
Just the worst possible person that I could have run into.
Watch out if you run into people.
It's a series of river which run into the sea.
I'm always happy to run into my old students.
I have to run into you fifty times a day, Badawi...
So logically everyone must run into ghosts and monsters all the time.
Sean didn't run into you.
More than an hour and we run into trouble.
I wanted her to run into you.
I need to run into Tesco's.
We know full well that pollution and restoration costs run into billions.
I can't run into my father while I'm throwing up.
I'd have preferred to run into you under different circumstances, but it's nothing serious.
I saw him run into the building after the second explosion.

Alternatives:

bump into
come across
meet by chance
stumble upon
encounter unexpectedly

This phrase is correct and can be used in both casual and formal situations to mean come across or meet someone or something.

"encounter"

'Encounter' is a more formal term that can be used in various contexts, both casual and formal, to mean meeting someone or something unexpectedly.

Examples:

She encountered a bear while hiking in the woods.
I encountered some difficulties while working on the project.
He encountered a strange situation at the airport.
The team encountered unexpected challenges during the competition.
We may encounter resistance to our proposal.

Show examples from the web [+]

You posted this hours after our encounter.
She grows more impertinent with every encounter.
We barely survived our first encounter with those things.
Several troopers confirmed your encounter with the Jedi.
This is Vanessa's first encounter with pastis.
However, Olson had improved significantly from their first encounter.
This curious encounter creates a suspension lamp characterized by an original materiality.
My personal encounter with ProEnhance motivated me to send this write-up.
Usually subsequent to an encounter with John Moray.
Your encounter is taking place at the Patristic Institute Augustinianum.
Man needs the Grace of an encounter.
Role-play, visualisations, encounter groups.
Marital fidelity is an ongoing encounter with reality.
Thus the French actor explained his encounter with Saint Augustine.
Receptiveness is therefore an encounter that generates a new relationship.
This first encounter presages a successful partnership.
Many times this culture of encounter can involve conflict.
Big flaw in my character revealed through this encounter.
Today was the first moment of encounter and introductions.
The encounter was unexpected but seducing.

Alternatives:

come across
meet unexpectedly
face
experience
confront

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run into vs encounter

"run into"

"encounter"

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