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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
! welcome
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "! welcome" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not a conventional greeting and may be confusing to readers due to the exclamation mark preceding the word "welcome." Example: "I just wanted to say ! welcome to our new members, but I realize that it might not be clear."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Sport
Lifestyle
Opinion
Business
Travel
Money
Tech
Alternative expressions(4)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
"I welcome it".
News & Media
"If we're a humble nation, but strong, they'll welcome us".
News & Media
Waters said while Unesco's world heritage committee would welcome the end to offshore dredge dumping, it would "not be impressed" with the fact Abbot Point itself would proceed.
News & Media
The new management team at AIB will welcome Lenihan's tough stance.
News & Media
But the man they most wanted to welcome is still not there.
News & Media
Fans gathered two hours before kick-off to welcome the team bus, 55,000 tickets had been sold and the noise was deafening.
News & Media
I'm as happy as the next person to welcome new life (on to our wildly over-populated planet) – hurray for Paul McCartney and David Jason at 61, Pavarotti, 68 and George Lucas doing it at 69 – but my heart goes out to those children.
News & Media
"I also welcome the fact that Queen's has shown the corporate courage to tackle sensitive and controversial and potentially divisive issues".
News & Media
Be that as it may, it is good to welcome a new book by Gerard Lyons which goes against the grain of current pessimism.
News & Media
With his team now back in third after allowing Milan to make up seven points in the space of three games, it seems increasingly likely that the Tinkerman will not be around to welcome them to Turin.
News & Media
Welcome to the US border town of Nogales, home to the largest fresh-produce gateway into the US – a Big Food superhighway where convoys of vast trucks roll in from Mexico, sometimes dumping mountains of crops into landfill if, for example, the price of Florida tomatoes suddenly drops.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Avoid using an exclamation mark before the word "welcome". It's unconventional and can appear stylistically awkward. Instead, use a standard "Welcome!" or rephrase the sentence for better clarity.
Common error
Be cautious about beginning greetings with an exclamation mark directly preceding "welcome". This can make your writing appear overly enthusiastic or insincere. Choose a more natural phrasing for a professional tone.
Source & Trust
95%
Authority and reliability
1.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "! welcome" functions as an interjection or greeting. While attempting to convey a welcoming sentiment, Ludwig AI notes it's grammatically unconventional due to the leading exclamation mark.
Frequent in
News & Media
34%
Sport
23%
Lifestyle
13%
Less common in
Opinion
11%
Business
8%
Travel
5%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the phrase "! welcome" is frequently found, especially in informal contexts, it is considered grammatically incorrect due to the unusual placement of the exclamation mark before the word. Ludwig AI suggests that this usage is not standard in written English and may appear awkward. Standard alternatives like "Welcome!", "A warm welcome", or "Hello" are recommended for clearer and more professional communication. Given its informal nature, reserve the phrase for casual situations where strict grammatical rules are less critical.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
Welcome
Removes the unconventional exclamation mark, providing a standard greeting.
A warm welcome
Adds emphasis to the greeting with an adjective.
You're welcome
Responds to gratitude, indicating pleasure in helping.
Welcome to...
Introduces a place, group, or situation.
We welcome...
Expresses a positive reception from a group.
All are welcome
Indicates inclusivity and open invitation.
I welcome...
Expresses personal acceptance or approval.
You are welcome to...
Extends an invitation or permission.
A hearty welcome
Emphasizes the enthusiasm of the greeting.
Glad to welcome you
Expresses pleasure in greeting someone.
FAQs
How to use "welcome" correctly in a sentence?
Use "Welcome!" as a standalone greeting or "Welcome to [place]" to introduce someone to a location. Avoid placing an exclamation mark before the word "welcome".
What can I say instead of "! welcome"?
Which is correct, "! welcome" or "Welcome!"?
"Welcome!" is the correct and standard form. "! welcome" is unconventional and not recommended for formal use.
What's the difference between "! welcome" and "A warm welcome"?
"! welcome" is an unconventional phrasing, whereas "A warm welcome" is a standard expression used to greet someone with enthusiasm and friendliness.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
95%
Authority and reliability
1.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested