exchanged goodbyes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exchanged goodbyes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where two or more people say farewell to each other. Example: "As the train pulled away, they exchanged goodbyes, promising to stay in touch despite the distance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

When he opened the safe, he packed up, exchanged goodbyes and appeared to be turning the doorknob to leave.

The New Yorker

They visited checkpoints and exchanged goodbyes with Iraqi soldiers, some of whom said they worried about the possible aftershocks of the American withdrawal.

The New York Times

Marlon Contreras, 44, the superintendent at 232 Madison, said Ms. Ramos and Ms. Katsiambanis had walked through the lobby of the building and exchanged goodbyes with him as they stepped outside.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

She exchanged goodbye hugs with the friends and relatives seated nearby.

The New York Times

The next day she and I exchanged goodbye e-mail messages, and she thanked me for a review of another movie that she had been representing.

The New York Times

Exchanging goodbyes outside, they are approached by a man who tells them they look good.

The New York Times

Instead of exchanging goodbyes as they had at past All-Star Games, Wade, James and Bosh will reconvene to play the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday.

The New York Times - Sports

Yannick Bolasie is expected to complete his £28m move to Everton in the coming days, with Pardew saying: "If his heart is not with us we have to exchange goodbyes".

The Guardian - Sport

Duong, Nayeri and Tieu are scheduled to be arraigned on March 4. Before exchanging goodbyes at the jail, Duong reminded Bo Long to take good care.

Los Angeles Times

"We're here to make politics great again," he said, before exchanging goodbye kisses with Howard X . Phil Robertson the deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch, said that it was "truly absurd and despicable" that Vietnam was harassing and threatening Howard X. "The rights abusing treatment he faces shows just how repressive Vietnam is," he tweeted.

The Guardian

A few minutes later, as the Cubs doused themselves in champagne, the Indians rubbed red eyes and exchanged weary goodbyes. .

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exchanged goodbyes" when you want to emphasize a mutual farewell between individuals or groups.

Common error

While "exchanged goodbyes" is generally acceptable, in very formal writing, consider using more concise alternatives like "said farewell" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exchanged goodbyes" functions as a verb phrase, describing a reciprocal action of saying farewell. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in English. The examples illustrate its use in narrating events and describing social interactions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exchanged goodbyes" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a mutual farewell, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, signifying the end of an interaction. While acceptable, consider more concise alternatives like "said farewell" in very formal contexts. The phrase serves the communicative purpose of indicating parting and transitioning to the next phase of a narrative. While the phrase itself is correct, its frequency is relatively rare in comparison to other alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

said their goodbyes

Slightly more emphatic, highlighting the act of each person saying goodbye.

said farewell

This is a more formal and concise way of expressing the same action.

gave their farewells

Highlights the act of giving or offering a farewell.

bid adieu

A more literary and slightly archaic way of saying goodbye.

wished each other farewell

Emphasizes the exchange of well wishes at parting.

parted ways

Focuses on the act of separating after a meeting or association.

took their leave

Similar to 'parted ways' but with a slightly more formal tone.

took leave of each other

A formal and somewhat old-fashioned way to describe parting.

said so long

An informal way of saying goodbye.

waved goodbye

Focuses on the gesture accompanying the farewell.

FAQs

What does "exchanged goodbyes" mean?

The phrase "exchanged goodbyes" means that two or more people have said farewell to each other, indicating the end of a meeting or visit.

What can I say instead of "exchanged goodbyes"?

You can use alternatives like "said farewell", "parted ways", or "bid adieu" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "exchanged farewells"?

While "exchanged goodbyes" is more common, "exchanged farewells" is also grammatically correct and conveys a similar meaning, though it might sound slightly more formal.

How to use "exchanged goodbyes" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "After the meeting, they "exchanged goodbyes" and went their separate ways."