at reception

USAGE SUMMARY

"at reception" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to refer to the place where you are received when you arrive at a place, such as a hotel, office, or school. For example: "I arrived at the hotel and was immediately greeted by the concierge at reception."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

THE barbarians are at reception.

The Economist

· At reception now.

The New Yorker

Just ask at reception.

The Guardian - Travel

Don't leave your key at reception.

The New York Times

A stunning young Chinese woman arrived at reception.

The Economist

I become aware of a commotion at reception.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There is a lost-and-found at Reception.

The New Yorker

There's a lot of people queuing up at reception.

The Guardian

At reception, there were two messages from Riquelme.

The New Yorker

"Leave your keys at reception," said the chairman Willie Todd.

The Guardian - Sport

An hour later we checked at reception again.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing directions or instructions, use "at reception" to clearly indicate where someone should go or what they should do upon entering a building.

Common error

Avoid using "in reception" when you mean "at reception". "At reception" specifies a location or point of contact, whereas "in reception" would imply being inside the act of receiving something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at reception" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun by indicating location. It specifies where an action takes place or where someone or something is situated upon entering a building. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is a correct and usable part of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at reception" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to denote a location within a building where visitors are greeted or assisted. As Ludwig's AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business settings. Alternative phrases include "at the front desk" and "upon arrival", offering similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. When using this phrase, remember that "at reception" is the proper way to indicate location. It is generally suitable for neutral or professional registers. Considering its frequent usage and clear purpose, "at reception" remains a valuable and effective phrase in written and spoken English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the front desk

Replaces "reception" with a more specific term for the desk where visitors are greeted.

at the welcome desk

Similar to "front desk", emphasizing the welcoming function.

at the information desk

Highlights the role of providing information.

at check-in

Specifically relates to the process of registering at a hotel or similar establishment.

at the greeting area

Focuses on the area where people are initially greeted.

at the registration area

Emphasizes the area where registration takes place.

upon arrival

Focuses on the action of arriving rather than the specific location.

at concierge

Uses a more upscale term for the reception area, particularly in hotels.

at the entry point

Refers to the location of entry or admission.

at the appointment desk

This alternative is used only to refer to medical or office check-in.

FAQs

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

Use "at reception" to indicate a location within a building where visitors are greeted or assistance is provided. For example, "Please leave your keys "at reception"".

What can I say instead of "at reception"?

You can use alternatives such as "at the front desk", "upon arrival", or "at check-in" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "in reception" instead of "at reception"?

While "in reception" might be understood, ""at reception"" is the more standard and grammatically correct way to refer to being located at the reception area of a building.

What is the difference between "at reception" and "at the reception desk"?

"At reception" is a general term for the reception area. "At the reception desk" specifically refers to the desk itself. Both are commonly used and largely interchangeable, though "at reception" is slightly broader.