greet guests

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "greet guests" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts related to hospitality, events, or social gatherings. Example: "The host will greet guests at the entrance." Alternative expressions include "welcome visitors" and "receive attendees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Liveried servants greet guests with glasses of champagne.

The New York Times - Arts

At the reception desk, nice young women greet guests.

The New York Times

An excitable pair of gray schnauzers greet guests.

The New York Times - Style

She would greet guests in the lobby with freshly baked cakes and pitchers of mojitos.

The New York Times

At 7 30 that evening, I skidded out of the shower to greet guests.

The New York Times - Style

THERE are few better ways to greet guests than with socca, the chickpea "pizza" from Nice.

The New York Times

Benny Di Pietro and Ugo Spaleta greet guests, smooth service and prod waiters.

The New York Times

He is always the first cat – we have four, don't judge me – to greet guests.

The Guardian - Opinion

Gordon Ramsay was apparently there to greet guests on day one, and is obviously leaving nothing to chance.

Independent

"I find this room so glamorous to be in, and a great way to greet guests," Rose said.

The New York Times

Guards on the island wear pith helmets to greet guests, and peacocks really do roam the grounds.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a role or responsibility, use "greet guests" to emphasize the welcoming aspect of the job. For instance, "The hotel concierge is responsible to "greet guests" upon arrival."

Common error

Avoid using "greet guests" interchangeably with verbs like "meet" or "see". "Greet" implies a formal welcome, while "meet" simply means encountering someone. "See guests" might imply escorting or bidding farewell, so be specific with your intention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "greet guests" primarily functions as a verb phrase, describing the act of welcoming or receiving people. Ludwig shows many examples where it's used to indicate a formal or polite reception, often in the context of hospitality or events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "greet guests" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of welcoming people. As indicated by Ludwig, it is most frequently found in News & Media contexts and is generally considered to be of a neutral register. While highly versatile and often interchangeable with phrases like "welcome guests", careful attention should be paid to connotations of formality and intent. Use "greet guests" to describe the action of extending an initial welcome; for a more general sense of hospitality, "welcome guests" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

welcome guests

A direct synonym with a slightly more emphatic tone.

welcome visitors

Broader term; can apply to any kind of visitor, not necessarily guests.

receive guests

Focuses on the act of formally receiving people.

receive attendees

More formal, often used in event or conference settings.

meet and greet guests

Emphasizes the interaction and introduction aspect.

welcome people

General term; lacks the specific connotation of "guests".

usher guests

Implies guiding or escorting guests to a specific location.

host guests

Highlights the act of being a host and taking responsibility for the guests' experience.

attend to guests

Focuses on providing service and care to the guests.

roll out the red carpet

Idiomatic expression; signifies a grand and elaborate welcome.

FAQs

How to use "greet guests" in a sentence?

You can use "greet guests" to describe the action of welcoming people to an event, establishment, or home. For example, "The host will "greet guests" at the door" or "The hotel staff is trained to "greet guests" with a warm smile.

What can I say instead of "greet guests"?

You can use alternatives like "welcome guests", "receive attendees", or "meet and greet guests" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "welcome guests" and "greet guests"?

"Welcome guests" and "greet guests" are often interchangeable. However, "greet" may imply a more immediate, initial action, while "welcome" can encompass the entire welcoming experience. The phrase "welcome guests" has a slightly more emphatic tone.

Is it correct to say "greeting guests"?

Yes, "greeting guests" is correct. It's the gerund form of the verb phrase and can be used as a noun. For instance, "Greeting guests is an important part of the job" or "She is responsible for greeting guests as they arrive".