at a reception

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a reception" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an event or gathering, typically for social or formal purposes, where people come together to celebrate or network. Example: "She met many interesting people at a reception held for the new art exhibit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At a reception, Capt.

The New York Times

Officials appeared at a reception beside it, marking  the restoration.

The New York Times

Umberto Eco spoke at a reception on opening night.

The New Yorker

"I just imitated Ben Ali at a reception," he said.

The New Yorker

Guests mingle at a reception ahead of the program.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The winners were announced at a reception on February 10.

Harvard University

At a reception afterward, she met Belli, and he ended up offering her a summer job.

The New Yorker

At a reception afterward, Covell and Crossfield got to meet Poundstone.

The New Yorker

On Monday, they were guests at a reception hosted by Argentina's president, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner.

The New York Times - Sports

Tolokonnikova and Alekhina will tonight speak at a reception at Amnesty International.

Independent

Vacationing on Martha's Vineyard in 2004, Barack met Spike Lee at a reception.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing interactions, specify the type of reception (e.g., wedding reception, book launch reception) to provide more context.

Common error

Avoid using "at a reception" when a more specific term like "at a wedding", "at a gala", or "at a conference social" would be more appropriate and informative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a reception" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate the location or setting of an action or event. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this function, confirming its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at a reception" is a grammatically correct and very common prepositional phrase used to specify the location of an action or event, often in a social or formal setting. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted and used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. For clarity, consider specifying the type of reception to provide better context and avoid overgeneralization. Consider alternatives such as "during the event" or "at the gathering" for a broader meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during the reception

Focuses on the timeframe of the event, rather than just being present.

at the gathering

A more general term, not necessarily formal.

during the event

Broader; can refer to any kind of event, not specifically a reception.

while attending the reception

Highlights the act of attending.

at the celebration

Focuses on the celebratory aspect.

in attendance at the reception

More formal way of saying someone was present.

present at the reception

Emphasizes physical presence.

during the cocktail party

Implies a less formal gathering.

at the social gathering

Highlights the social aspect of the event.

at the function

A more generic term for a formal event.

FAQs

How can I use "at a reception" in a sentence?

You can use "at a reception" to describe an event or gathering, typically for social or formal purposes. For instance, "I met the author "at a reception" following the book launch".

What are some alternatives to saying "at a reception"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "during the event", "at the gathering", or "during the celebration".

Is it better to say "at a reception" or "during the reception"?

Both "at a reception" and "during the reception" are grammatically correct. "At a reception" emphasizes location or presence, while "during the reception" focuses on the timeframe of the event.

What kind of events are typically described with the phrase "at a reception"?

The phrase "at a reception" commonly describes formal gatherings, celebrations, or social events associated with a specific occasion, such as a wedding, conference, or art exhibit.