greets in return

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "greets in return" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a reciprocal action of greeting someone back after they have greeted you. Example: "After I waved at her, she smiled and greets in return with a friendly nod."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

She is greeted in return and takes another step closer so she can hear what the Americans are talking about.

The New York Times

Or to take an example from Lewis (1986b), John's saying "hello" must differ from John's saying "hello" loudly, since only the former causes Fred to greet John in return, and only the latter is caused by John's state of tension.

SEP

Israel is the only country I know of in the Middle East that has unilaterally withdrawn from territory conquered in war — in Lebanon and Gaza — only to be greeted with unprovoked rocket attacks in return.

The New York Times

When the transport was sighted the band played the "Beer Barrell Polka" and when the soldiers aboard discovered Q-200 came out expressly to greet them, they sang and shouted in return, except a few who cried or just stared.

The New Yorker

Winchester's parents greeted his return in April with great relief.

The New York Times - Sports

Of course, it would take a long-lived civilization to witness the feat -- the equivalent of the ancient Egyptians firing a deep-space rocket with the expectation that their descendants would greet its return in the 21st century.

The New York Times

He greets each kid with a hearty "Good morning!" and demands one in return; he asks about their mood, their allergies, their truancies.

The New Yorker

Troops dispatched to trouble spots in the city were greeted with wild applause by the rioters, and the soldiers smiled in return.

The New York Times

Manager Magazin, the business publication that named him manager of the year in 1991, greeted his return to prominence with a lengthy, unflattering article in the current issue, under a headline that suggested he was little more than a trickster.

The New York Times

In the street, a passerby sees them Stops one moment Raises his face and greets the return.

The Guardian - Books

In return.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "greets in return" to emphasize a direct, reciprocal action of greeting someone after being greeted. It is best used when the returned greeting is similar in nature or intensity to the initial greeting.

Common error

Avoid using "greets in return" in highly formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound slightly informal. Consider using more formal alternatives like "responds with a greeting" or "returns the greeting".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "greets in return" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a reciprocal action. As Ludwig AI explains, it's about responding to an initial greeting. Examples show it used to describe a direct response.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

33%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "greets in return" is a grammatically correct verbal phrase used to describe a reciprocal greeting. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is valid and usable. While the phrase is most common in News & Media contexts, its neutral formality makes it suitable for various types of writing. For more formal settings, consider alternatives such as "returns the greeting" or "responds with a greeting". When using "greets in return", emphasize the directness and reciprocity of the greeting action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

greets back

A more concise and informal way of saying the same thing.

returns the greeting

Uses a more formal tone by using "greeting" as a noun instead of a verb.

responds with a greeting

Emphasizes the act of responding rather than the greeting itself.

replies with a greeting

Similar to "responds with a greeting" but emphasizes the verbal response.

acknowledges the greeting

Highlights the recognition of the greeting, not necessarily a verbal response.

offers a greeting in return

Highlights the offering or giving of a greeting as a response.

answers the greeting

Focuses on the response as an answer.

provides a greeting back

Similar to "greets back" but uses "provides" for emphasis.

gives a greeting in return

Uses "gives" for a slightly more active sense of reciprocating the greeting.

reciprocates the greeting

A more formal and less common way to describe the act of greeting back.

FAQs

How can I use "greets in return" in a sentence?

You can use "greets in return" to describe a reciprocal greeting, such as "After I waved at her, she smiled and greets in return with a friendly nod."

What are some alternatives to "greets in return"?

Alternatives include "returns the greeting", "responds with a greeting", or simply "greets back".

Is "greets in return" too informal for professional writing?

While grammatically correct, "greets in return" can sound slightly informal. For professional writing, consider using "responds with a greeting" or "returns the greeting".

What's the difference between "greets in return" and "returns the greeting"?

"Greets in return" is a more direct and active description of the action, whereas "returns the greeting" is slightly more formal and uses the noun "greeting".