The verb meet is among the most frequently used verbs in English. As an irregular verb, its past tense form doesn’t follow the regular “-ed” pattern, which can be confusing for learners. Understanding how to use the past tense of meet is essential for clear communication, whether you are recounting a story, describing a past experience, or reporting on an event.
Mastering verb tenses, especially the simple past tense, helps you express completed actions clearly and avoid common grammatical mistakes. The past tense form of meet, which is met, plays a vital role in everyday conversations, storytelling, business communication, and writing.
This comprehensive guide is designed for English learners of all levels, ESL teachers, writers, and grammar enthusiasts. You will learn the meaning and forms of meet, how to correctly use met in various contexts, common errors to avoid, and advanced nuances. The article includes detailed explanations, tables, numerous examples, practice exercises, and an FAQ to solidify your understanding.
Table of Contents
- 3. Definition Section
- 4. Structural Breakdown
- 5. Types or Categories
- 6. Examples Section
- 7. Usage Rules
- 8. Common Mistakes
- 9. Practice Exercises
- 10. Advanced Topics
- 11. FAQ Section
- 12. Conclusion
3. Definition Section
3.1. What Does “Meet” Mean?
The verb meet primarily means to come into the presence or company of someone or something, either by arrangement or chance. It can convey several related ideas:
- Encounter: I met an old friend at the park.
- Assemble: The committee meets every Monday.
- Fulfill or reach: The company met its sales targets.
3.2. Grammatical Classification
Meet is classified as an irregular verb because its past tense form does not follow the standard “-ed” ending pattern. Instead, it changes form entirely. In contrast, regular verbs simply add -ed for the past tense (e.g., walk → walked).
3.3. Past Tense Overview
The simple past tense is used to express actions that were completed at a specific time in the past. The past tense of meet is met.
- Present: meet
- Simple Past: met
- Past Participle: met
Importantly, met serves as both the simple past tense and the past participle form, which is used in perfect tenses.
3.4. Function of “Met”
Met indicates that the action of meeting happened and was completed at a definite time in the past. It’s essential for:
- Recounting past experiences (We met in college.)
- Telling stories (Once upon a time, a prince met a princess.)
- Reporting events (The leaders met yesterday.)
3.5. Usage Contexts
Met appears across many scenarios, such as:
- Social encounters: I met my friend yesterday.
- Business/formal settings: The board met to discuss the budget.
- Chance meetings: They met on the street by surprise.
- Scheduled meetings (completed): We met last Monday.
4. Structural Breakdown
4.1. The Irregular Verb Pattern of “Meet”
Below is the full conjugation of meet across major tenses:
| Tense | Affirmative | Negative | Interrogative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Present Simple | I meet | I don’t meet | Do I meet? |
| Past Simple | I met | I didn’t meet | Did I meet? |
| Present Perfect | I have met | I haven’t met | Have I met? |
| Past Perfect | I had met | I hadn’t met | Had I met? |
4.2. Formation of Past Simple with “Meet”
Because meet is irregular, you do not add “-ed” for the past tense. Instead, it changes form entirely, becoming met. This form is the same, no matter the subject:
- I met
- You met
- He/She/It met
- We met
- They met
4.3. Affirmative Sentences
Structure:
Subject + met + (object/complement)
Examples:
- I met Sarah last week.
- They met in Paris.
- She met her mentor at the event.
4.4. Negative Sentences
Structure:
Subject + did not (didn’t) + meet + (object/complement)
Examples:
- I didn’t meet Sarah yesterday.
- He didn’t meet the deadline.
- They didn’t meet anyone famous.
4.5. Questions
Structure:
Did + subject + meet + (object/complement)?
Examples:
- Did you meet the new manager?
- Did they meet last Friday?
- Did she meet her goals?
4.6. Short Answers
- Yes, I did.
- No, I didn’t.
- Yes, they did.
- No, she didn’t.
5. Types or Categories
5.1. Simple Past vs. Past Perfect
The simple past (met) describes a completed event in the past, while the past perfect (had met) indicates an action that happened before another past action.
| Sentence | Tense | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| I met John at the party. | Simple past | A single event completed in the past. |
| I had met John before the party. | Past perfect | An action completed before another past event (the party). |
5.2. Active vs. Passive Voice
- Active: I met her last year.
- Passive (rare): She was met by the delegation at the airport.
5.3. Different Meanings in Past Context
- Encounter: I met a stranger in the park.
- Fulfill/achieve: The company met its targets last quarter.
- Assembly: The committee met on Monday to discuss the proposal.
6. Examples Section
6.1. Basic Affirmative Sentences
- I met my teacher yesterday.
- They met at the conference.
- She met her new neighbors.
- We met during college.
- He met his childhood hero last night.
- The project met all expectations.
- Our team met the deadline.
- Mark met Lisa in 2010.
- They finally met after years of correspondence.
- I met my cousin while traveling abroad.
6.2. Negative Sentences
- I didn’t meet him last night.
- We didn’t meet anyone interesting at the event.
- She didn’t meet the deadline.
- They didn’t meet their targets.
- He didn’t meet the requirements for the job.
- I didn’t meet her until last year.
- We didn’t meet because I was sick.
- They didn’t meet the criteria.
- He didn’t meet his goals.
- She didn’t meet with much enthusiasm.
6.3. Questions
- Did you meet your new boss?
- When did they meet?
- Did he meet his goals?
- Where did you meet her?
- Did the teams meet before the match?
- Did she meet the requirements?
- Why did they meet yesterday?
- Did you meet anyone famous?
- How did you meet your partner?
- Did the committee meet last week?
6.4. Complex Sentences
- After I met her, my life changed completely.
- They met before the wedding took place.
- I had met him once before, so he recognized me immediately.
- Because they met early, they finished the project on time.
- He said that he met her during his trip.
- If we had met sooner, things might have been different.
- Once they met, they quickly became friends.
- She had already met the director before the interview.
- After they met with the client, they revised the proposal.
- By the time I arrived, they had met and left.
6.5. Different Contexts of “Met”
| Context | Example |
|---|---|
| Social | We met during college. |
| Chance encounter | I met her at the supermarket. |
| Business | The board met yesterday. |
| Fulfillment | The project met all requirements. |
| Assembly | The council met to discuss the proposal. |
| Sports | The teams met in the finals. |
| Legal | The court met on Tuesday. |
| Unexpected obstacle | They met with resistance from the community. |
| Interview | She met with the hiring manager last week. |
| Deadline | We met the submission deadline successfully. |
6.6. Idiomatic Expressions Using “Met”
- They met their match. (found someone equal in ability or strength)
- She met her Waterloo. (experienced a decisive defeat)
- I met with resistance. (encountered opposition)
- The proposal was met with enthusiasm.
- His jokes met with silence.
- The decision met with widespread criticism.
- She met her obligations on time.
- They met halfway on the agreement.
- His ideas were met with skepticism.
- The plan was met with approval.
6.7. Example Tables
Table 4: Affirmative, Negative, and Question Forms with “met”
| Affirmative | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|
| I met the director yesterday. | I didn’t meet the director yesterday. | Did you meet the director yesterday? |
| They met by chance. | They didn’t meet by chance. | Did they meet by chance? |
| She met all her goals. | She didn’t meet all her goals. | Did she meet all her goals? |
| We met at the seminar. | We didn’t meet at the seminar. | Did you meet at the seminar? |
Table 5: Simple Past vs. Past Perfect Comparisons
| Sentence | Tense | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| I met him before the meeting. | Simple past | The meeting was after I met him. |
| I had met him before the meeting. | Past perfect | The meeting was after the first meeting; sequence emphasized. |
| They met once before moving abroad. | Simple past | Single event before another past action. |
| They had met several times before moving abroad. | Past perfect | Multiple earlier events before another past action. |
6.8. Notes
Throughout this section, you have seen over 50 varied examples showing met used in affirmative, negative, and question forms, in simple and complex sentences, across different contexts and meanings. Practice creating your own examples based on these models for mastery.
7. Usage Rules
7.1. When to Use “Met”
- To describe a completed meeting or event in the past.
- When the exact time is specified or understood from context.
- For a sequence of past events, when the meeting is a discrete, finished action.
I met him last Friday.
7.2. Using “Met” in Negative and Interrogative Forms
Remember:
- Use did/didn’t + meet (base form) for questions and negatives.
- Incorrect: I didn’t met him.
- Correct: I didn’t meet him.
7.3. Time Expressions with “Met”
Use clear past time markers:
- Yesterday: I met her yesterday.
- Last week: We met last week.
- In 2010: They met in 2010.
- Two days ago: He met with the client two days ago.
- When I was a child: I met my favorite author when I was a child.
7.4. Distinguishing “Met” from Present Perfect
- I met – a specific, completed event in the past
- I have met – an experience at an unspecified time or a connection to the present
Examples:
- I met her last year. (specific past time)
- I have met her before. (uncertain when, experience)
7.5. Special Cases
Reported speech often uses met or had met:
- He said he met her at the event.
- She explained that she had met him before.
7.6. Common Collocations
- Met with approval/disapproval/resistance
- Met someone halfway (compromise)
- Met expectations/requirements/deadlines
- Met his match
- Met her Waterloo
8. Common Mistakes
8.1. Misusing “Meeted” Instead of “Met”
- Incorrect: Yesterday, I meeted my friend.
- Correct: Yesterday, I met my friend.
8.2. Using “Met” with “Did” in Questions/Negatives
- Incorrect: Did you met him?
- Correct: Did you meet him?
8.3. Confusing Past Simple and Present Perfect
- Incorrect: I have met him yesterday.
- Correct: I met him yesterday.
8.4. Wrong Verb Form in Passive Voice
- Incorrect: She was meet by the team.
- Correct: She was met by the team.
8.5. Overusing “Was Met” Instead of Active Voice
Prefer active voice when possible:
- Prefer: The delegation met her at the airport.
- Instead of: She was met by the delegation.
8.6. Table 6: Common Mistakes and Corrections
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| I meeted him last week. | I met him last week. | “Meet” is irregular; past tense is “met”. |
| Did you met her? | Did you meet her? | Use base verb form after “did”. |
| I have met him yesterday. | I met him yesterday. | Specific past time → simple past tense. |
| She was meet by the team. | She was met by the team. | Past participle is “met”. |
| They didn’t met us. | They didn’t meet us. | Use “meet” after “did not”. |
| He didn’t met anyone. | He didn’t meet anyone. | Same rule as above. |
9. Practice Exercises
9.1. Fill-in-the-Blank
- Yesterday, I ____ (meet) my cousin.
- They ____ (not/meet) the deadline.
- ____ you ____ (meet) the manager last week?
- She ____ (meet) her goals last quarter.
- We ____ (not/meet) before the event.
9.2. Correction Exercises
- Did you met him at the party?
- She meeted her friend on Monday.
- I have met him yesterday.
- They didn’t met anyone interesting.
- He was meet by the ambassador.
9.3. Identify the Tense
- I met her in 2015.
- I have met her several times.
- I had met her before the conference.
- They met once before moving abroad.
- She has met the requirements.
9.4. Sentence Construction
Use the prompts to create sentences in past simple affirmative, negative, and question forms:
- (you / meet / new colleague / last Friday)
- (they / not / meet / client / yesterday)
- (he / meet / target / last month)
- (she / meet / new partner / in 2020)
- (you / meet / manager / before the meeting?)
9.5. Transformation Exercises
- I meet my friends every day. → _______
- They meet at the cafe on Sundays. → _______
- She meets her tutor every week. → _______
- We meet after work. → _______
- He meets with clients regularly. → _______
9.6. Answers Provided
9.1. Fill-in-the-Blank Answers
- met
- did not (didn’t) meet
- Did you meet
- met
- did not (didn’t) meet
9.2. Correction Exercises
- Did you meet him at the party?
- She met her friend on Monday.
- I met him yesterday.
- They didn’t meet anyone interesting.
- He was met by the ambassador.
9.3. Identify the Tense
- Simple past
- Present perfect
- Past perfect
- Simple past
- Present perfect
9.4. Sentence Construction (Sample Answers)
- You met your new colleague last Friday.
- They didn’t meet the client yesterday.
- He met his target last month.
- She met her new partner in 2020.
- Did you meet the manager before the meeting?
9.5. Transformation Exercises
- I met my friends yesterday.
- They met at the cafe last Sunday.
- She met her tutor last week.
- We met after work yesterday.
- He met with clients last week.
10. Advanced Topics
10.1. Past Perfect with “Met” in Complex Sentences
Use had met to show an earlier past event relative to another:
- She had met him before the party started.
- I had met the manager before I joined the company.
- They had already met when the conference began.
10.2. Passive Constructions Involving “Met”
The passive is appropriate in formal writing or when the focus is on the recipient:
- He was met with applause.
- The ambassador was met by the president.
- The proposal was met with criticism.
10.3. Idiomatic and Figurative Uses in the Past
- He met his Waterloo during the debate.
- They met their match in the finals.
- Her speech was met with silence.
- The idea was met with enthusiasm.
10.4. Contrast with Continuous Past Forms
- I was meeting – action in progress in the past
- I met – completed event
Examples:
- I was meeting with clients when the news broke. (ongoing action interrupted)
- I met the CEO yesterday. (single, completed event)
10.5. Modal Verbs + Have Met
Express uncertainty or possibility in the past:
- He might have met her before.
- She could have met them at the event.
- They must have met earlier.
- He may have met his match.
10.6. Regional and Register Differences
- No significant difference in form between British and American English.
- In formal writing, met with is common: The plan was met with approval.
- In informal speech, simpler forms preferred: We met last night.
11. FAQ Section
1. What is the past tense of meet?
The past tense of meet is met.
2. Is meet a regular or irregular verb?
Meet is an irregular verb. It does not take “-ed” in the past tense.
3. How do you form negative sentences with met?
Use did not (didn’t) + meet (base form). Example: I didn’t meet him yesterday.
4. When should I use met vs. have met?
Use met for specific past events with a clear time. Use have met when the time is not specified or to describe experience.
5. Is meeted ever correct?
No. The correct past tense and past participle of meet is met.
6. How do I ask questions in the past tense with meet?
Use Did + subject + meet + (object)? Example: Did you meet your teacher?
7. Can met be used as an adjective?
Rarely, but in certain fixed expressions like pre-met expectations or met requirements, it can function adjectivally.
8. What is the past participle of meet?
Met is both the past tense and past participle of meet.
9. What are some idioms using met?
- Met their match
- Met their Waterloo
- Met with resistance
- Met with approval/disapproval
10. How do I use met in passive sentences?
Use was/were met (by/with). Example: She was met by her family at the airport.
11. What’s the difference between met and was meeting?
Met shows a completed action. Was meeting indicates an action in progress in the past.
12. Are there any exceptions to using met in past tense?
No exceptions in standard English. Always use met for the past tense of meet.
12. Conclusion
The verb meet is an irregular verb with the past tense and past participle form met. Using met correctly is crucial for expressing completed past actions, recounting experiences, and communicating clearly.
Remember the key points:
- Past tense of meet = met
- In negatives and questions, use the base form meet with did/didn’t
- Use met for specific completed events, have met for experiences without clear time
- Avoid common mistakes like “meeted” or “Did you met?”
- Practice with varied examples and exercises to build confidence
- Understand advanced nuances like the past perfect, passive voice, and idioms
Consistent practice with examples and exercises will deepen your mastery. For broader fluency, continue studying irregular verbs, tense contrasts, and idiomatic expressions.
Mastery of tense usage will significantly enhance both your spoken and written English.