Meet vs Meet With

The word “meet” is used as a noun, a verb, or an adjective. As a noun it is used to refer to a meeting wherein athletes compete. As an adjective it is used to refer to something that is right or that fits a certain criteria. It is most commonly used as a verb, though, usually to refer to the circumstance of filling a need or want, or to satisfy a condition or restriction. It is more generally used to refer to the occasion of coming together with someone either socially or for business purposes.

The word “meet” comes from the Old English word “gemaete” which means “suitable,” derived from the Proto-Germanic “ga-maetijaz” which in Proto-Indo-European means “to measure.” It was used as an adjective, and in the early 1800s was used as a verb from the Old English “metan” which means “to meet.”

To meet someone could mean a lot of things. It could mean that one is going to have a meeting or will work together with someone. It may simply mean that one is going to see someone with the intention of doing something together after.

It has a more informal note than the phrase “meet with” which could mean that one is about to have a meeting with another person or is about to experience something such as a surprise or an accident, or is expecting to get a response.
The phrase “meet with” is formal; implying that the meeting is for professional reasons or for business. It usually connotes a meeting that may take a longer time than just a chance meeting or a casual meeting. When one meets with someone, it is for the purpose of doing a task together and may be for a long period of time.

“To meet someone” may also refer to a meeting which is made for the first time; that both persons have only met each other at that particular instance. “To meet with someone” means that one is having an appointment with an old contact or acquaintance.

Examples are the following sentences:
“I sometimes meet my students in the hall on my way to the library.”
“Susan was visibly pleased to meet his parents after they have been together for a year.”
“I meet with several of my students every Saturday to discuss how they are doing in my class.”
“Robert will meet with the architects tomorrow to finalize the proposal.”

Summary:

1.The word “meet” is used as a noun, an adjective, or a verb and is usually used to refer to the process of seeing someone for the purpose of doing something together casually while the phrase “meet with” is used to refer to seeing someone for professional or business reasons.
2.The word “meet” is informal while the phrase “meet with” is more formal.
3.“To meet someone” means that it may take a few moments only, while “to meet with someone” means that it will take a while longer.
4.“To meet someone” may also mean that it is a casual meeting while “to meet with someone” means that it is an appointment with an old contact.

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