greeting guests

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "greeting guests" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of welcoming or acknowledging visitors in various contexts, such as events, hospitality, or social gatherings. Example: "The host was busy greeting guests as they arrived at the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She was greeting guests, she said, when the shooting began.

The New York Times

Ralph Nader stood on the museum's front steps, slightly hunched over, smiling and eagerly greeting guests.

The New Yorker

Chris Heinz, Kerry's thirty-year-old stepson, walked around greeting guests.

The New Yorker

Mr. McGregor, meanwhile, alternated between greeting guests and fielding update calls from union representatives.

The New York Times

She coached her staff members — some 400 — on greeting guests, advising them always to look a customer in the eye.

The New York Times

There should be no physical contact when greeting guests, and the hotel's visiting card should be presented with both hands.

The Guardian

They could serve as female ushers, greeting guests as they arrive, handing them programs and showing them to their seats.

The New York Times

It emanates from Edmond Kleefield, better known as Jean-Luc, who circulates from table to table, meeting and greeting guests.

The New York Times

She spent childhood summers performing like Shirley Temple and greeting guests at her grandmother's New Jersey hotel.

The New York Times - Style

Reiko, the owner, flitted about in a leopard-print mini-dress and pink tights, greeting guests with hugs and gossip.

The New York Times - Travel

Then there are the jeans-clad servers greeting guests as "guys," and Billy Joel singing endlessly on the sound system.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a role or responsibility, use "greeting guests" to emphasize the act of welcoming and acknowledging people's arrival. For example, "The hostess was responsible for "greeting guests" and making them feel welcome."

Common error

Avoid using "greeting guests" as a standalone formal introduction (e.g., at a conference). Instead, use it to describe an action or role. A formal introduction would be "Welcome guests" or a direct greeting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "greeting guests" functions primarily as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. Ludwig AI examples show it describing an activity or role, such as "She was greeting guests" or "They were greeting guests at the door."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "greeting guests" is a common and grammatically correct gerund phrase used to describe the act of welcoming people upon arrival. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase functions as a noun and is most frequently found in news and media contexts. While generally neutral, its usage spans various settings, from formal to informal. To use the phrase effectively, remember that it describes an ongoing activity or role, not a standalone introduction. Alternatives such as "welcoming guests" and "receiving guests" offer similar meanings. When describing the act of welcoming individuals in an event, business meeting or even a party, "greeting guests" is a valid and easy to understand option.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

welcoming guests

Focuses on the act of making guests feel comfortable and accepted.

receiving guests

Emphasizes the act of taking guests in or accepting their arrival.

meeting and greeting guests

Highlights both the initial introduction and the welcoming aspect.

welcoming visitors

Uses a more general term, 'visitors', instead of 'guests'.

receiving attendees

More formal, suitable for events or conferences.

hosting guests

Highlights the role of providing hospitality.

entertaining guests

Focuses on providing amusement and enjoyment.

attending to guests

Highlights the act of providing service and care.

receiving people

A broader term, less specific to hospitality.

addressing visitors

Focuses on speaking to or acknowledging their presence.

FAQs

How do I use "greeting guests" in a sentence?

The phrase "greeting guests" is typically used as a gerund (verb acting as a noun) describing an activity. For example, "Her job involved "greeting guests" at the hotel entrance" or "They spent the evening "greeting guests" at the reception".

What are some alternatives to "greeting guests"?

You can use alternatives such as "welcoming guests", "receiving guests", or "meeting and greeting guests" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "greeting the guests" instead of "greeting guests"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "greeting guests" is more general and describes the act of welcoming people in general. "Greeting the guests" is more specific, referring to a particular group of guests.

What's the difference between "greeting guests" and "inviting guests"?

"Greeting guests" refers to the act of welcoming people upon their arrival, while "inviting guests" refers to the act of asking people to come to an event or place. They are distinct actions in the context of hosting.