Sentence Construction Question

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Goodman  #369978  Thu, 24 May 07 09:22 PM

 Temico wrote:
"I met with an accident" is typical British English and it means, "I was INVOLVED in an accident."

Well, this is new to me. Typically, in the context of "accident", we, in the US, would say something like:

So and so was involved in an accident, or got into an automobile accident ....

Met with an accident sounds a little odd to me. However, I can see how it may be ok if it is used in a special context. i.e.  John was visiting London and as he was departing the plane, he was met with an accident in which he slippepd and fell, causing him to twist his ankle.  Even in this context, I still have to ponder if "met" is the right choice of word. Perhaps....Greeted with.

  
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Mister Micawber  #370039  Thu, 24 May 07 11:54 PM

he was met with an accident

The passive doesn't work.
  
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Marius Hancu  #370041  Thu, 24 May 07 11:57 PM
>"I met with an accident"

Only in poetry .... Smile [:)]
  
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Mister Micawber  #370099  Fri, 25 May 07 01:55 AM

I suppose that I am trying to inject better balance (in my direction) into this 2-year-old thread mostly because it is raining hard and I am unable to go out as planned.

While it is obvious that the phrase is by far most common in Indian and other Asian Englishes, Ms Google provides enough reputable examples to show that it is still likely to be met with almost anywhere:

The master had not inquired. He confessed he had been worried about the boys. He had even thought that Julian might have met with an accident.-- Bret Harte 1898

It would be most unfair, if a member of the force met with an accident or with an injury that might result in death that there could be a dispute as to whether he was on duty at the time -- Irish Parliamentary debates, 1950

The Director-General shall, after having received notice of an accident or having learned in some other way that an employee has met with an accident, make such inquiry as he may deem necessary to enable him to decide upon any claim or liability in terms of this Act. -- Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (South Africa)

Most standard batteries have been developed for people who had an intact brain and then met with an accident or illness. -- The Center on Human Development and Disability (CHDD) at the University of Washington

But Charles barely manages a look of concern when François hears that his wife has met with an "accident." -- Time magazine, 1975

Another issue arising out of such situations is the absence of a legal heir for property if one of the partners met with an accident. -- United Nations Programme on the Family

If he had met with an accident in the jungle. scavenging birds and animals would have alerted trackers to the whereabouts of his body.-- Princeton Alumi Weekly, 1987

  
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