greeted with a smile

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "greeted with a smile" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe how someone was received upon arriving somewhere. For example, "When I arrived at the party, I was greeted with a smile by all the guests."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The next time he met with senior management, he was greeted with a smile and warm handshake.

Harvard Business Review

"Besides the money in my hat, every day I am greeted with a smile, handshake, hug, well wishes, and inquiries about when my next show is," he says.

Princeton University

Would a little girl arriving after an even more perilous journey still be greeted with a smile and a silver dollar?

The Washington Post

To underscore the importance of the march, they were greeted with a smile and a stiff-arm salute from Izzat Ibrahim, vice chairman of the nation's top ruling body and the second-in-command after Mr. Hussein.

The New York Times

Four hours and 29 minutes after I'd started, I staggered out of the water, grabbed the hand of a smiling steward, who pulled me up the slippery bank where I was greeted with a smile, a handshake and a "well done" from the race organiser.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I'm greeted with a smile more often.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

I expect to meet a kind doctor who greets with a smile, asking me about my condition and if I sleep well or if I have any problems at home.

BMC Health Services Research

Friends were always greeted with a warmhearted smile and notoriously good humor.

The New York Times

I was greeted with a big smile and before I could say anything.

The New York Times

As often as not, Turks who identify themselves are greeted with a big smile and even with a discount.

The Economist

It is a comfortable spot; diners are greeted with a welcoming smile, and white-jacketed waiters display an affable courtesy.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "greeted with a smile" to create a welcoming and positive tone in your writing. It's an effective way to describe someone's initial reception, particularly in narrative or descriptive contexts.

Common error

While effective, relying too heavily on "greeted with a smile" can make your writing repetitive. Vary your descriptions by using alternative phrases like "welcomed with a smile" or focusing on other welcoming gestures to add nuance and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "greeted with a smile" primarily functions as a descriptive element, adding detail about how someone was received. It often modifies a verb, providing information about the manner of greeting. Ludwig shows various examples where this phrase adds a positive connotation to an initial interaction.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "greeted with a smile" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe a positive reception. As Ludwig AI notes, it adds warmth and positivity to a scene, commonly found in news, general writing, and formal communication. While simple, varying your descriptions will help you avoiding repetitive, monotonous writing. Though not overly frequent, the phrase appears across reliable sources. Use this phrase to immediately set a welcoming tone in your narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

welcomed with a smile

Replaces "greeted" with "welcomed", emphasizing the act of offering hospitality and acceptance.

received with a smile

Substitutes "greeted" with "received", highlighting the act of being given a positive reception.

met with a smile

Uses "met" instead of "greeted", focusing on the encounter and the positive facial expression that accompanied it.

acknowledged with a smile

Emphasizes recognition and acceptance, replacing "greeted" with "acknowledged".

faced with a smile

Focuses on the act of confronting or encountering someone, swapping "greeted" with "faced".

given a warm smile

Rephrases the sentence structure to put more emphasis on the smile itself, describing it as "warm".

had a smile for

Alters the sentence structure to focus on the subject's possession of the smile, indicating readiness to offer it.

offered a smile

Highlights the action of giving a smile, slightly shifting the focus from the greeting itself.

beamed a smile at

Uses "beamed" to suggest a particularly radiant and joyful smile.

smiled upon arrival

Focuses on the timing of the smile, specifically when someone arrives.

FAQs

How can I use "greeted with a smile" in a sentence?

You can use "greeted with a smile" to describe someone's positive reception upon arrival or during an encounter. For example, "She was "greeted with a smile" by the receptionist as she entered the office."

What are some alternatives to "greeted with a smile"?

Alternatives include "welcomed with a smile", "received with a smile", or "met with a smile", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "greeted with a smile" formal or informal?

"Greeted with a smile" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the piece.

What's the difference between "greeted with a smile" and "greeted by a smile"?

"Greeted with a smile" indicates the manner in which someone was greeted, while "greeted by a smile" suggests that the smile itself did the greeting. The former is more common and generally preferred.