exchange smiles

USAGE SUMMARY

"exchange smiles" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is a way of saying that two people look at each other and smile in recognition. For example, "The two friends exchanged smiles when they saw each other in the hallway."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Mother and I exchange smiles and laughs.

The New York Times

I savored those injuries, imagined what a delight it would be to go through one of those boys' houses, to exchange smiles and handshakes.

The New Yorker

I think about how nice it would be to not feel that way, to wave and exchange smiles with drivers, to feel that we're on the same side – on the side of humanity.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ms. Rogers talked about the next 12 weeks and how they would focus on getting Emilio to exchange smiles, to respond to his name, to babble with them, starting with single syllables ("ma") and moving on to doubles ("gaga") and more complex combinations ("maga").

The New York Times - Health

She might want to leave, he says, and the others exchange smiles.

Los Angeles Times

Illustrations by Well Larexchange

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

We exchanged smiles.

The New York Times - Travel

We exchanged smiles at the wash basins.

Independent

The two hugged and exchanged smiles.

The New York Times

He exchanged smiles and handshakes with his teammates during timeouts.

The New York Times - Sports

The two exchanged smiles and glances throughout the service.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exchange smiles" to describe a brief, mutual acknowledgement between two people. It is often used to convey a sense of connection or understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "exchange smiles" when only one person is smiling. The phrase implies a mutual action, so ensure both parties are participating in the exchange.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exchange smiles" functions as a verb phrase describing a reciprocal action. It indicates a mutual sharing of smiles, suggesting a connection or acknowledgement between individuals. Ludwig's AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exchange smiles" effectively describes a mutual sharing of smiles, suggesting a connection or acknowledgement between individuals. Ludwig's AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, it conveys a neutral tone suitable for a variety of situations. The semantic alternatives, such as "share a smile" or "trade smiles", offer subtle variations in emphasis. When using "exchange smiles", ensure that the action is indeed reciprocal to maintain accuracy and avoid misuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

share a smile

Emphasizes the act of sharing a single smile rather than an exchange.

trade smiles

Highlights a reciprocal action of giving and receiving smiles.

give a smile

Focuses on the act of offering a smile to someone.

offer a smile

Similar to 'give a smile' but with a slightly more formal tone.

flash a smile

Implies a quick, brief smile.

offer smiles

Highlights giving smiles.

greet with a smile

Indicates that the smile is part of a greeting.

bestow a smile

Suggests a more formal or significant giving of a smile.

return a smile

Highlights giving back a smile after receiving one.

smile at each other

More descriptive, focusing on the mutual action of smiling.

FAQs

How can I use "exchange smiles" in a sentence?

You can use "exchange smiles" to describe a shared moment of connection. For example, "They "exchanged smiles" across the crowded room."

What is a similar phrase to "exchange smiles"?

Similar phrases include "share a smile", "trade smiles", or "smile at each other".

Is it correct to say "exchanged a smile" instead of "exchange smiles"?

While "exchanged a smile" is grammatically correct, "exchange smiles" is more common when referring to a general act of smiling in response to one another.

What does it mean to "exchange smiles"?

To "exchange smiles" means that two or more people share smiles with each other, often indicating a mutual feeling or understanding.