Greet

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Greet" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when instructing someone to say hello or acknowledge another person in a friendly manner. Example: "Please greet the guests as they arrive at the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Travel

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Joseph – one of several young locals who manage the place – waded out into the water to greet me.

The Guardian - Travel

Stories of Twitter cascades and viral news are skewed by concentrating on the tiny proportion of success stories, while audiences of mere handfuls greet millions of hopeful uploaders on to YouTube, SoundCloud and Kindle (most self-published ebooks sell fewer than 100 copies).

The Guardian - Opinion

Chris Scott and his side know that North Melbourne, Fremantle and Hawthorn greet them in the run home, so they must get the job done against the Giants.

The Guardian - Sport

But they forgive these smaller issues for the bigger picture; as I greet them they are thumbing through the Wetherspoon magazine, admiring the opulence of Harrogate Wetherspoon, the Winter Gardens, housed in a former Royal Bath building.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Judging by the cries that greet the new single, King – likely to be the UK's No 1 on Sunday – more than a few people are here specifically to see them.

The Guardian - Music

By the time I greet the shopkeeper he's filled a bag of bananas posing as a customer.

The Guardian

Stepping out of the house in the morning to greet our neighbours – wild horses on one side, donkeys on the other – with nothing but birdsong filling the air, I felt a sense of adventure you normally only get with wild camping.

The Guardian - Travel

During the 1984 dispute, there was at least one inspector who would meet (and greet) his brother on the picket line.

The Guardian

It's not safe to be out here in one of the most dangerous parts of north-eastern Nigeria, but the government has promised to send a team to investigate the kidnapping of more than 200 pupils from her school and she wants to greet them in person.

The Guardian

The people we slag off in the comfort of your home we will greet with genuine warmth next time we meet them.

The Guardian

Do we have to greet a girl's first period with silence?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "greet" in formal writing, consider specifying the manner of greeting (e.g., "greet with a handshake," "greet with applause") for clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "greet" in passive constructions where the subject is unclear or illogical. For example, instead of saying "The visitors were greeted," specify who did the greeting: "The staff greeted the visitors."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "greet" is as a transitive verb, indicating an action performed upon someone or something. Ludwig provides examples where "greet" is used to describe the act of welcoming or acknowledging someone, as well as instances where it describes how someone is received.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Travel

15%

Less common in

Sport

10%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "greet" is a versatile transitive verb used to describe the act of welcoming or acknowledging someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse contexts. While suitable for both formal and informal settings, paying attention to the specific manner of greeting can enhance clarity and impact. Common errors, such as misusing "greet" in passive constructions, should be avoided to maintain precision. Consider alternative phrases like "welcome" or "acknowledge" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Welcome

Focuses on extending a friendly reception, often used at the beginning of an interaction.

Give a warm welcome

Focuses on the enthusiastic and friendly nature of the greeting.

Salute

Implies a formal acknowledgment or gesture of respect.

Receive cordially

Highlights the warmth and friendliness of the reception.

Acknowledge

Highlights recognizing someone's presence or existence without necessarily being warm.

Extend greetings

Suggests conveying well wishes or regards to someone.

Receive

Emphasizes the act of accepting someone or something upon arrival.

Hail

Suggests a loud or enthusiastic greeting, often from a distance.

Address

Focuses on the act of speaking to someone, often in a formal setting.

Meet

Indicates an encounter, which may or may not involve a formal greeting.

FAQs

How can I use "Greet" in a sentence?

You can use "greet" to describe the act of welcoming or acknowledging someone. For example, "The host will greet guests at the door" or "The team gathered to greet their returning colleague".

What are some alternatives to "Greet"?

You can use alternatives like "welcome", "salute", or "acknowledge", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "Greet" and "Welcome"?

"Greet" typically implies a specific action of acknowledging someone's presence, while "welcome" focuses more on extending hospitality and making someone feel comfortable.

Which is correct, "Greet" or "Say hello to"?

"Greet" is a more formal and direct way to say "say hello to." You can use "say hello to" in informal or casual situations, while "greet" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts.