hosting a guest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hosting a guest" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the act of providing accommodation or entertainment for someone staying in your home or venue. For example, "I am hosting a guest for the weekend." Alternative expressions include "entertaining a visitor" and "welcoming a guest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Tips for hosting a guest in your living room.

The New York Times

Hosting a guest scientist from another country can bring fresh perspectives to a research group.

Science Magazine

"In the Studio" continues after last week's Disrupt conference by hosting a guest who, after various stints in finance, venture capital, and at one of the Valley's storied Internet companies, joined a small but scrappy early-stage venture firm that, in the past few years, has grown into its successes and pioneered new approaches to investing in young technology companies.

TechCrunch

The first step for hosting a guest in Kazakhstan is killing something for them to eat.

Vice

"This morning on a show I was hosting, a guest made a very false and derogatory remark about Senator John McCain.

HuffPost

Hearing that a guest would soon arrive, a disabled, older woman promptly began sweeping the dirt floors of her dwelling, roused to vigor by the prospect of hosting a guest.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Every year, the market hosts a guest country -- this year, Mongolia will share its traditions.

The New York Times

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health is scheduled to host a guest lecture on the health risks of incarceration on Friday.

The Washington Post

A dumpster in far Valley West Reportedly hosted a guest Who dove in the funk To plunder its junk Till flushed from the trash treasure chest.

The New York Times

Link your course to the lab with workshops or teaching activities; collaborate in an ongoing research group; propose and host a guest speaker; and more.

Duke University

This week, the Volokh Conspiracy hosted a guest-blogging symposium with posts by contributors to my new book Eminent Domain: A Comparative Perspective (co-edited with Iljoong Kim and Hojun Lee).

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the gerund form "hosting a guest" as a subject or object to describe the ongoing responsibility of being a host.

Common error

Do not use 'to' after the phrase as in 'hosting to a guest'. The verb 'host' is transitive and takes the guest directly as its object. Incorrect: 'I am hosting to a guest.' Correct: 'I am "hosting a guest".'

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hosting a guest" functions as a gerund phrase where 'hosting' acts as the head and 'a guest' serves as the direct object. It is frequently used as a subject or the object of a preposition in English sentences. According to Ludwig AI data, it is a standard construction used to denote the provision of hospitality.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Social Media

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hosting a guest" is a versatile and grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of hospitality. Whether you are writing about a domestic situation or a professional event, this phrase is highly effective. Ludwig AI data confirms its prevalence in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian. While it is classified as 'uncommon' in terms of raw frequency compared to simpler verbs, it remains a standard choice for describing the specific relationship between a host and an invitee. When using it, remember that 'host' is a transitive verb, so you can go directly to the object without prepositions. Alternatives like "entertaining a visitor" can be used to add specific flavor to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entertaining a visitor

Focuses more on the activity of amusing or engaging with the person rather than just providing space

welcoming a guest

Emphasizes the initial reception and the warmth of the hospitality provided

accommodating a visitor

Shifts the focus toward the logistical aspect of providing lodging or meeting specific needs

receiving a visitor

A more formal version often used in professional or official social settings

putting up a guest

An informal phrasal verb construction specifically referring to providing overnight lodging

lodging a guest

Narrowly focuses on the physical provision of a room or sleeping quarters

housing a guest

Similar to lodging but sounds slightly more functional or long-term

inviting a visitor

Focuses on the act of request rather than the ongoing state of hospitality

taking in a guest

Can imply a more benevolent or temporary rescue-like situation

boarding a guest

Often implies providing both a room and meals over a longer duration

FAQs

How do I use "hosting a guest" in a sentence?

You can use it as a noun phrase to describe an activity, for example: ""hosting a guest" in your home requires careful preparation."

What is a more professional way to say "hosting a guest"?

In professional contexts, you might prefer to use "receiving a visitor" or "accommodating a visitor".

Is it "hosting a guest" or "hosting guests"?

Both are correct depending on the number of people. Use "hosting a guest" for a single person and "hosting guests" for multiple people.

What is the difference between "hosting a guest" and "entertaining a guest"?

While "hosting a guest" refers to the general act of providing space or a platform, "entertaining a guest" specifically focuses on keeping them occupied or amused.