acknowledging smile

USAGE SUMMARY

"acknowledging smile" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to describe a smile that someone gives in response to being acknowledged or recognized. For example, "I received an acknowledging smile from my professor when I thanked him for his support."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Muhammad, the boy I'd met in the trenches, flashed me a brief, acknowledging smile, then propped his head in his left hand and focused on his book.

The New York Times - Magazine

There is nothing more powerful than a genuine, acknowledging smile.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Our first year making wine was a lot like my first film," he acknowledged, smiling as he remembered 2007, when the first wine was bottled under the Casa Dumetz name.

The New York Times

"That's a really good point," one of them acknowledged, his smile waning.

The New Yorker

It gave me a sad, defeated feeling to think that soon they'd be back and would Docilryde™ me, and I'd say "Acknowledge," smiling agreeably the way a person smiles on Docilryde™, and then the Darkenfloxx™ would flow, into Rachel, and I would begin describing, in that rapid, robotic way one describes on Verbaluce™/VeriTalk™/ChatEase™, the things Rachel would, at that time, begin doing to herself.

The New Yorker

Does she sound like she's talking?" And most of the time, parents nod and smile, acknowledging the baby voices that have become part of the family conversation.

The New York Times - Health

Those of you that follow news of the day as daily ritual, every so often hearing about a Space Shuttle blasting off or returning to Earth, will no longer experience that quick smile acknowledging pride in American leadership and technological prowess -- at least not when it comes to human spaceflight.

Huffington Post

He surveyed the damage, a pistol hanging on his hip, and acknowledged with smiles the expressions of support from those in the crowd.

The New York Times

Sun smiled, acknowledging the applause.

The New Yorker

"Be yourself," said Shaw, acknowledging that he smiles whenever he sees Ryan's pictures.

The New York Times - Sports

The surroundings in her bedroom were unfamiliar and he stood a moment, smiling, acknowledging her sweet scrutiny.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "acknowledging smile" when you want to describe a smile that specifically indicates recognition or acknowledgment of someone or something. It adds a nuanced layer of meaning to a simple smile.

Common error

Avoid using "acknowledging smile" repeatedly in your writing. Vary your descriptions of smiles with alternatives like "warm smile", "knowing smile", or "polite smile" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acknowledging smile" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "acknowledging" modifies the noun "smile". It describes a specific type of smile conveying recognition or awareness. As confirmed by Ludwig, this is an acceptable construction in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "acknowledging smile" is a grammatically correct and semantically rich expression used to describe a smile that conveys recognition or acknowledgement. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in English. While not exceedingly common, it appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, making it a suitable choice for both neutral and descriptive writing. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the context of recognition you intend to convey, and avoid overuse by exploring alternatives such as "recognizing smile" or "knowing smile".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recognizing smile

Focuses on the act of recognition being the cause of the smile.

slight smile of acknowledgement

Adds emphasis on the smile being small and an act of recognition.

subtle smile of recognition

Highlights the smile's subtlety and its connection to recognizing someone or something.

nod and smile

Combines a physical gesture with a smile to show acknowledgement.

knowing smile

Implies that the smile conveys shared knowledge or understanding.

understanding smile

Emphasizes the smile as a sign of comprehension and empathy.

appreciative smile

The smile reflects gratitude and thankfulness.

friendly smile

Focuses on the smile being a gesture of friendliness and warmth.

polite smile

Implies the smile is a matter of etiquette and courtesy.

warm smile

Indicates the smile is inviting and conveys positive emotions.

FAQs

How can I describe a smile that shows recognition?

You can use the phrase "acknowledging smile". Other options include "recognizing smile" or "knowing smile" depending on the context.

Is "acknowledging smile" a formal or informal expression?

The expression "acknowledging smile" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, consider the audience and purpose of your writing to ensure it aligns with the overall tone.

What does "acknowledging smile" imply?

An "acknowledging smile" implies that the person smiling is aware of and recognizes someone or something. It conveys a sense of acknowledgment or understanding.

When is it appropriate to use "acknowledging smile" in a sentence?

It's appropriate to use "acknowledging smile" when you want to emphasize that the smile is a direct response to being acknowledged or recognized. For example, "She gave me an acknowledging smile as I entered the room".