Extend a greeting

USAGE SUMMARY

"Extend a greeting" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in formal or professional contexts when you want to convey a message of goodwill. For example, "Please extend a greeting to your team on my behalf." Alternative expressions include "Send regards," "Offer a greeting," and "Convey best wishes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Mr. Casella came over the evening of David's big night out to extend a greeting, and sent him home with a gift of fine hazelnut spread.

The New York Times

"It would be a great challenge, but I feel more and more that I would like to extend a greeting from our side of the world and bring something over with the company I work with". As for his film future, he realises that Hollywood can be a fickle master.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Engkey tracked a student around the room, wheeling to a stop a foot away, and extended a greeting in a synthesized female voice.

The New York Times - Science

What a greeting.

The Washington Post

Maggie called out a greeting.

The New Yorker

Tweet a greeting.

HuffPost

"To our friends up the avenue, who have done things decidedly new, we extend a cordial greeting, a bravo of approval, a sincere salutation and a hearty hand-clasp".

The New York Times

That she would take the time out from her busy life to extend a holiday greeting to a writer whom she had only occasionally encountered over the years speaks volumes about the generosity of her spirit and of her giving, affectionate nature.

The New York Times

Extend a personal greeting.

WikiHow

Extend a warm greeting with a smile to put the person at ease.

WikiHow

If you do choose to take the elevator, extend a polite greeting, maybe give her a quick smile, and then act calm and relaxed.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with "on behalf of" when representing a company, group, or another individual to sound more authoritative.

Common error

Avoid using "extend a greeting" as a literal synonym for "extend a hand". While they often occur together, "extend a greeting" refers to the verbal or written message of goodwill, whereas "extend a hand" refers specifically to the physical gesture of a handshake. If you are describing a physical movement, be precise about the body part involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extend a greeting" acts as a transitive verb phrase consisting of the verb "extend", the indefinite article "a", and the noun "greeting". In the context of Ludwig examples, it functions as a formal performative expression, where the act of saying the phrase often constitutes the act of greeting itself.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Social Media

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

According to Ludwig data, "extend a greeting" is a highly reliable and polished expression used to initiate contact or convey goodwill. It appears with significant frequency in high-authority media outlets like The New York Times and The New Yorker, which confirms its status as a correct and sophisticated choice for English writers. While it is essentially a formal version of "saying hello", it carries a weight of respect and professionalism that makes it ideal for business contexts, diplomacy, and journalism. When using it, remember that it is distinct from physical gestures, though it often accompanies them. Whether you choose to "offer a greeting" or "send a greeting", the phrase "extend a greeting" remains one of the most elegant ways to open a dialogue.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

send a greeting

More common and direct, often used for written messages like cards or emails.

offer a greeting

Slightly less formal than extend, suggesting a more personal or immediate interaction.

convey a greeting

Emphasizes the act of passing a message from one person to another.

exchange greetings

Focuses on a mutual interaction between two or more parties.

present a greeting

More ceremonial or official in nature.

give a greeting

An informal and straightforward alternative for casual settings.

pass on my regards

Specifies that the greeting is being sent through an intermediary.

issue a greeting

Typically used in institutional or public announcements.

shout a greeting

Specifies the volume and informal nature of the verbal gesture.

nod a greeting

Replaces the verbal act with a specific physical gesture.

FAQs

How to use "extend a greeting" in a sentence?

In formal writing, you might say, "The CEO wished to "extend a greeting" to all the new employees." It functions as a formal way of saying hello or welcoming someone.

What can I say instead of "extend a greeting"?

Depending on the tone you want, you could use alternatives like "send a greeting", "offer a greeting", or simply "say hello".

Is it "extend a greeting" or "offer a greeting"?

Both are correct. ""extend a greeting"" is slightly more formal and implies a more deliberate gesture, while "offer a greeting" is standard and versatile.

What is the difference between "extend a greeting" and "send regards"?

""extend a greeting"" is usually an immediate or introductory act, whereas "send regards" is typically used at the end of a message or when mentioning someone not present.