a welcome sight

USAGE SUMMARY

"a welcome sight" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is a pleasant surprise or something that is particularly pleasant to see. For example: After the long, hard rain, the sun peeking through the clouds was a welcome sight.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But here, it is a welcome sight.

The New York Times - Sports

That does not always make them a welcome sight, though.

The New York Times

To recruiters, Private Chen was probably a welcome sight.

The New York Times

He is a welcome sight for chief executives.

The New York Times

To the tired workers, the drug dealers and thieves were a welcome sight.

The New Yorker

I always do, though, and it's always a welcome sight, especially lately.

The New Yorker

A fresh-baked loaf of bread cooling on the kitchen counter was a welcome sight indeed.

The New York Times - Travel

The multidimensional Carmelo Anthony will be a welcome sight in the Pepsi Center.

The New York Times - Sports

I suspect he won't be a welcome sight in Wisconsin this evening.

The Guardian - Sport

Whenever I travel home to Swansea, the steel works is always a welcome sight.

The Guardian

Spring is still more than a month away, so flower embroideries are a welcome sight now.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a welcome sight" to describe something that alleviates a negative situation or brings relief. For instance, "After days of rain, the sun was a welcome sight."

Common error

Avoid using "welcome sight" when you actually mean a sight that welcomes. The adjective 'welcome' describes the sight itself, not its action. For example, instead of "the hotel was a welcome sight to the weary travelers", consider "the hotel offered a welcoming view to the weary travelers."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a welcome sight" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an appositive. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and usability, suggesting it is generally used to describe something pleasant or relieving to see. For example, 'After the long journey, the inn was a welcome sight'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a welcome sight" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that expresses pleasure or relief upon seeing something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase functions as a noun phrase, conveying a sense of relief or satisfaction. Related phrases include "a welcome vision" and "a pleasant view". A key writing tip is to ensure 'welcome' correctly describes the sight itself, not its action. The phrase enjoys widespread use across various contexts, making it a versatile addition to one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a welcome vision

This alternative replaces 'sight' with 'vision', emphasizing the visual aspect and its positive impact.

a welcoming sight

This alternative uses the adjective 'welcoming' instead of 'welcome', highlighting the inviting nature of the view.

a pleasant view

This alternative substitutes "welcome" with "pleasant" and "sight" with "view" to describe a pleasing scene.

a gratifying spectacle

This alternative replaces "sight" with "spectacle", suggesting a grand or impressive display that is pleasing.

a heartening view

This option uses "heartening" to emphasize that the sight lifts one's spirits.

a delightful scene

This alternative substitutes "welcome" with "delightful" to indicate a higher level of pleasure derived from the view.

a comforting scene

This alternative focuses on the emotional aspect of the view, emphasizing a sense of comfort and peace.

a cheering view

This option uses the word "cheering" instead of "welcome", emphasizing the happiness that the sight brings.

a pleasing spectacle

Swaps both "welcome" and "sight" for synonyms with a slightly more formal tone.

a favorable view

This alternative replaces “welcome” and “sight” with alternatives that focus on the positive impression of the scene.

FAQs

How can I use "a welcome sight" in a sentence?

Use "a welcome sight" to describe something pleasing or relieving to see, such as, "After a long journey, the hotel was "a welcome sight"."

What are some alternatives to "a welcome sight"?

You can use alternatives such as "a welcome vision", "a pleasant view", or "a comforting scene" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a welcomed sight" instead of "a welcome sight"?

While "welcomed" can function as an adjective, "welcome" is more commonly and idiomatically used in the phrase ""a welcome sight"" to indicate something pleasing to see.

What is the difference between "a welcome sight" and "a welcoming sight"?

"A welcome sight" refers to something that is pleasing to see, while "a welcoming sight" describes something that is inviting or hospitable.