I greeted him

USAGE SUMMARY

"I greeted him" is perfectly valid and usable in written English.
You could use this phrase in any situation when one person is greeting another. For example, "I saw my old friend in the street and I greeted him warmly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

I greeted him and said, "Why are you here?

The New Yorker

I greeted him warmly, hiding my disappointment.

The New Yorker

"When he came to Stamford, I greeted him backstage".

The New York Times

There was a long silence after I greeted him.

The New Yorker

"I greeted him when he arrived," she said.

The New York Times

He didn't say much, but his smile, when I greeted him, was tight and quick.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

"I said, 'How can I greet him?

The New Yorker

I greet him with salam aleikum and begin to browse the stacks of vinyl records bursting out of the glass cabinets and hanging from the ceiling on strings.

The Guardian

I greet him at the door, smelling of stale formula.

Huffington Post

I greet him with a, "Happy 4/20," to which he responds with a secret series of codewords and body language signaling, well, you get the highdea.

Vice

Matos, a socialist and former school teacher, indulged my ten-year old hero worship by pretending to know who I was when I repeatedly greeted him.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I greeted him" to describe a simple act of saying hello or acknowledging someone's presence. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid repeating "I greeted him" multiple times in close succession. Vary your language with synonyms like "I welcomed him", "I acknowledged him", or describe the specific greeting used (e.g., "I shook his hand").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I greeted him" primarily functions as a statement of action, indicating that the speaker performed the act of greeting another person. Ludwig confirms that this is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I greeted him" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe the act of acknowledging and saluting someone. As verified by Ludwig, the expression functions primarily as a statement of action, often found in narrative contexts. With a neutral register, its suitability spans from personal stories to news reporting. While versatile, varying your language with alternatives is advised to prevent repetitiveness. The contexts where it appears the most are News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I welcomed him

This alternative suggests a warmer reception than a simple greeting.

I acknowledged him

This is a more neutral term, simply stating that you recognized his presence.

I saluted him

This implies a formal acknowledgment, often used in military contexts.

I recognized him

This implies that you knew him previously.

I recognised him

British spelling variation, implying you knew him previously.

I met him

While it can indicate a first encounter, depending on context, it can also be used as greeting.

I hailed him

Suggests calling out to him, often from a distance.

I regarded him

Suggests consideration or observation during the greeting.

I appreciated him

Suggests gratitude or positive regard upon meeting.

I supported him

Suggests offering assistance or encouragement upon meeting.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "I greeted him"?

You can use alternatives like "I welcomed him", "I acknowledged him", or describe the specific greeting, such as "I shook his hand depending on the context.

How do I use "I greeted him" in a sentence?

You can use "I greeted him" to describe the act of saying hello or acknowledging someone's presence. For example, "I greeted him with a smile" or "When I saw him, I greeted him warmly".

Is "I greeted him" formal or informal?

"I greeted him" is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The specific tone depends on the context and the way you greeted him (e.g., warmly, formally, casually).

What's the difference between "I greeted him" and "I welcomed him"?

"I greeted him" is a general term for saying hello or acknowledging someone, while "I welcomed him" implies a warmer and more hospitable reception. Welcoming someone suggests making them feel comfortable and accepted.