hail each other

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hail each other" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where individuals greet or acknowledge one another, often in a friendly or respectful manner. Example: "As they entered the room, they would often hail each other with a nod and a smile."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The idea of describing themselves as glorified delivery men may well still appeal to the cynics on the trading floor who work with shirtsleeves rolled up and hail each other loudly in Brooklyn or mock cockney accents.

The Economist

She has kind of a moment with Lev's roommate, Benji (Michael Zegen) – tellingly, a would-be comedy writer – in which they cheerfully hail each other as "undateable", but this is nowhere near being a romance, and in fact as far as the structure of the film is concerned, it is irrelevant compared to her friendship with Sophie.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

There's no neighborliness at the supermarket: "no one hailed each other or equably compared purchases".

The New Yorker

By the end of the week, Trump had huddled with leaders of the National Rifle Association, with both sides hailing each other on Twitter.

The Washington Post

Christie and Obama also traded praise, hailing each other's leadership in the crisis and creating a powerful image of bi-partisan co-operation that could ripple out into the presidential election.

The Guardian

As daylight filtered into the high-ceilinged rooms — awash in the romantic luster of the Colonial era — scores of literati surged from the staircase, hailing each other, picking up drinks, standing arm in arm, or spilling into cushioned wicker love seats on the terrace.

The New York Times

The top flight of international ploughing is a limited pool, the same faces recurring every year, and so the atmosphere was jovial, like a school reunion, 50-odd ploughmen and two ploughwomen (the sport has historically been dominated by men) hailing each other affectionately across the room.

The Guardian

There's nothing to see in London but "a girl out of Friends starring in John Gabriel Borkman and the usual doomy Holocaust-installation stuff out of Tate Modern". There's no neighborliness at the supermarket: "no one hailed each other or equably compared purchases". Closed-circuit television cameras are everywhere useless, ugly, and possibly sinister.

The New Yorker

Looking up the valley towards Gettysburg, the hills on either side were capped with crowns of flame and smoke, as 300 guns, about equally divided between the two ridges, vomited their iron hail upon each other".

Wikipedia

Its Chaldean Catholic church, mosque and Yazidi temple sit within hailing distance of each other.

The New York Times

In this area, at least, the two sides appeared to be getting to within hailing distance of each other.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hail each other" to depict a scene where individuals are enthusiastically or ceremoniously greeting one another, especially in settings with established social conventions.

Common error

Avoid using "hail each other" in scenarios that involve simple, casual greetings. This phrase typically suggests a more pronounced or formal acknowledgement than a mere "hello".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hail each other" functions as a reciprocal verb phrase, describing a mutual action between two or more parties. It signifies the act of greeting or acknowledging one another, as evidenced by examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hail each other" is a grammatically sound reciprocal verb phrase indicating a mutual greeting or acknowledgement. While not extremely common, it finds appropriate use in describing situations where individuals are emphatically or ceremoniously greeting each other. The phrase is generally neutral in register and is often found in news and media contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's most suitable for scenarios involving more pronounced acknowledgement than a simple greeting. Related phrases like "greet each other" offer alternatives depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

greet each other

A general term for acknowledging someone's presence with a salutation.

salute one another

Implies a formal or respectful greeting, often involving a gesture.

acknowledge each other

Suggests a mutual recognition, often without a verbal greeting.

welcome one another

Conveys a warm and friendly reception.

exchange greetings

Highlights the act of giving and receiving greetings.

address each other

Implies using a specific form of address when greeting.

call out to each other

Indicates a loud or informal greeting.

flag each other down

Suggests stopping someone for a greeting, often from a distance.

nod to each other

A silent greeting, often used to acknowledge someone briefly.

wave to each other

A visual greeting, typically used when people are at a distance.

FAQs

What does "hail each other" mean?

The phrase "hail each other" means to greet or acknowledge one another, often in a friendly or respectful way. It can also imply a certain enthusiasm or ceremony in the greeting.

What are some alternatives to "hail each other"?

You can use alternatives such as "greet each other", "acknowledge each other", or "salute one another" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "hail each other" in formal writing?

Yes, it can be appropriate in formal writing, especially when describing a scene where a more pronounced or ceremonious greeting occurs. However, consider the overall tone and choose the most fitting phrase for your context.

When should I not use "hail each other"?

Avoid using "hail each other" in casual or informal situations where a simple "hello" or "hi" would suffice. This phrase is best reserved for more emphatic or formal greetings.