exchanged greetings

USAGE SUMMARY

"exchanged greetings" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to two people who have greeted each other as a sign of courtesy or politeness. For example, "The two co-workers exchanged greetings before entering the meeting room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

The two exchanged greetings.

The New York Times

He appeared unfazed, and even exchanged greetings with correspondents who had rushed to the lobby.

The New York Times

"As we exchanged greetings, it appeared to me that Brown was the senior person.

The Guardian - Books

The astronauts exchanged greetings with the Soviet leader, Nikita S. Khrushchev.

The New York Times - Science

He sat in the front pew at a noon service and exchanged greetings with other worshipers.

The New York Times

Jessica Wasserman, the owner's daughter-in-law, was behind the counter, and as we exchanged greetings.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

"I'm moving on," he said cheerfully when exchanging greetings with Mr. Rizzie.

The New York Times

Clark hadn't seen the President for a few months, and was eager to exchange greetings.

The New Yorker

Tahir Hussain, 33, a taxi driver who lives nearby, said he used to exchange greetings with Abdaly.

The Guardian

They were exchanging greetings, eating chocolates and paying respects to Kurdish leaders.

The New York Times

I exchange greetings and smiles with Iraqis virtually every day right here on my own F.O.B.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing interactions, use "exchanged greetings" to convey a mutual and polite interaction, especially in formal or professional settings.

Common error

Avoid using "exchanged greetings" when only one person initiates the greeting. In such cases, use phrases like "offered a greeting" or "said hello".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exchanged greetings" functions as a verb phrase describing a reciprocal action. It signifies a mutual act of acknowledging someone's presence through conventional expressions of goodwill. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exchanged greetings" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a mutual act of greeting. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When using the phrase, ensure that the context involves a two-way interaction. Alternatives like "greeted each other" or "said hello" may be more appropriate if only one person initiates the greeting. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "exchanged greetings" to convey politeness and connection in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

greeted each other

Focuses on the act of greeting without necessarily implying an exchange.

met and greeted

Describes the initial encounter and subsequent greeting.

said hello

A simpler, more informal way to describe a greeting.

offered a greeting

Focuses on one person initiating the greeting.

acknowledged each other

Emphasizes recognition, which may or may not involve verbal communication.

shared acknowledgments

Highlights the mutual aspect of recognizing each other's presence.

offered salutations

A more formal and traditional way to express greetings.

extended welcomes

Highlights the act of offering a warm reception.

passed pleasantries

Refers to the exchange of polite conversation beyond a simple greeting.

made introductions

Focuses on the act of formally introducing oneself or others.

FAQs

How can I use "exchanged greetings" in a sentence?

You can use "exchanged greetings" to describe a mutual act of greeting between two or more people. For example, "The delegates "exchanged greetings" before the conference began".

What are some alternatives to saying "exchanged greetings"?

Alternatives include "greeted each other", "acknowledged each other", or simply "said hello", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it correct to say "exchanged a greeting"?

While grammatically understandable, "exchanged greetings" is the more common and natural phrasing. "Exchanged a greeting" is less frequently used and can sound slightly awkward.

What is the difference between "exchanged greetings" and "shared pleasantries"?

"Exchanged greetings" refers specifically to the initial act of acknowledgment, while "shared pleasantries" implies a more extended, polite conversation beyond a simple greeting.