exchange waves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exchange waves" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where two parties are communicating or signaling to each other, often in a friendly or informal manner. Example: "As they passed each other on the street, they exchanged waves to acknowledge one another."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

They mostly exchange waves.

The New York Times

"That's my ex-stepbrother's ex-wife," Ms. Monks, 75, says as she and the woman exchange waves.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

At a stoplight, Bleszinski exchanged waves with the driver of an adjacent red Ferrari — another Epic employee.

The New Yorker

"We are staying on to support Tunisia," said one British woman, clearly moved as she exchanged waves and greetings with passing motorists honking their support on the main boulevard.

The Guardian

As set out in a lavish 2006 pictorial biography, "Century Girl," by Lauren Redniss, and Ms. Eaton Travis's own memoir, "The Days We Danced," she was a child star in Washington, exchanging waves from the stage with President Wilson in his theater box.

The New York Times - Arts

Spontaneity rules within the magical associations of image, words and narrative all spun together with a cabaret humor as sharp as the Ego Schiele features and aesthetic language of the quantum exchange... Waves merging into particles and particles merging into waves...creating Bonaparte from an entirely new fabric... ("May 30, 2014")**.

Huffington Post

Therefore, the SW modes near the first BZ boundary are exchange spin waves.

Nanoscale Research Letters

The S-WPIA computes physical quantities that express the energy exchange between waves and particles.

Earth, Planets and Space

The magnonic band structures for exchange spin waves propagating in one-dimensional magnonic crystal waveguides of different material combinations are investigated using micromagnetic simulations.

Nanoscale Research Letters

We can identify an efficient energy exchange between waves and particles when a Wint that is sufficiently larger than the σW is obtained by the S-WPIA.

Earth, Planets and Space

Fukuhara et al. (2009) proposed a new type of instrument for the direct and quantitative measurement of the energy exchange between waves and particles, which is referred to as the Wave Particle Interaction Analyzer (WPIA).

Earth, Planets and Space

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exchange waves" to describe a friendly, informal greeting between people who are at a distance from each other. It's particularly effective when direct verbal communication is not possible or practical.

Common error

Avoid using "exchange waves" in formal settings or when a more elaborate greeting is expected. It implies a casual, often brief, interaction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exchange waves" primarily functions as a verb phrase, describing a reciprocal action of greeting or acknowledging someone from a distance using a waving gesture. This action often indicates a friendly or casual interaction. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exchange waves" is a grammatically sound and understandable verb phrase used to describe a mutual greeting or acknowledgment made through waving. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While not as frequent as other greeting methods, the phrase commonly appears in News & Media sources, and occasionally within scientific contexts. It maintains a neutral-to-informal register, making it suitable for various scenarios except formal ones. Related phrases include "greet with a wave" or "offer a wave". When employing this phrase, remember that it denotes a casual and reciprocal act. Avoiding more elaborate greetings is preferable when a distant friendly gesture is all that is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

greet with a wave

Focuses on the greeting aspect, specifying the type of gesture used.

offer a wave

Highlights the act of offering a friendly gesture.

return a wave

Emphasizes the reciprocal nature of the waving gesture.

acknowledge with a wave

Indicates that the wave serves as a form of acknowledgment.

share a wave

Suggests a mutual act of waving between two or more people.

wave to each other

This alternative emphasizes reciprocity between individuals.

gesture a greeting

This is a more formal way of saying hello, using gestures.

signal acknowledgment

Highlights the communicative function of a wave.

communicate nonverbally

Broader term encompassing all forms of non-verbal communication, including waving.

pass a greeting

Focuses on passing a friendly greeting with a hand gesture.

FAQs

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

You can use "exchange waves" to describe a quick, friendly greeting from a distance. For example, "As the train departed, they exchanged waves." or "The neighbors exchanged waves as they drove past each other".

What is another way to say "exchange waves"?

Alternatives to "exchange waves" include "greet with a wave", "offer a wave", or "return a wave", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more correct to say "exchange waves" or "wave to each other"?

"Exchange waves" and "wave to each other" are both correct, but "exchange waves" implies a mutual action happening simultaneously, while "wave to each other" can suggest a sequence of actions.

What is the difference between "exchange waves" and "exchange glances"?

"Exchange waves" describes a physical greeting, while "exchange glances" describes a non-verbal exchange of looks or expressions, often carrying a deeper meaning or shared understanding.