in greeting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in greeting" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to indicate a friendly salutation or a formal introduction. For example, "He offered his hand in greeting to the new arrival."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The woman smiles in greeting.

The New York Times

He rushed to the door and flipped over to offer his belly in greeting as the Kings stepped in.

The New York Times

Warriors normally dip their head to greet someone, so you can dip your head in greeting when they come in.

WikiHow

She touched his shoulder in greeting.

The New Yorker

"Hey!" Voices rose in greeting.

The New York Times

"Fab," Ted Demme said, in greeting.

The New Yorker

"The great essayist," she said in greeting.

The New Yorker

"Yes, ma'am," Lott said in greeting.

The New York Times - Magazine

A brass band played in greeting as the audience arrived.

The New York Times

Clark had him raise his paw in greeting.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Huma and @anthonyweiner, hand in hand, greeting voters in East Harlem pic.twitter.com/QrgXLgSuy2.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in greeting" to describe actions or words used when meeting someone, especially to convey politeness or formality. For example, "She bowed in greeting to the emperor."

Common error

Avoid using "in greeting" in extremely casual contexts where simpler greetings like "hi" or "hello" are more appropriate. Using it in informal settings may sound overly formal or stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in greeting" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which an action is performed. It specifies how someone welcomes or acknowledges another person, often implying a degree of formality or politeness. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

11%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in greeting" serves as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb by describing how an action is performed (welcoming or acknowledging). It is considered grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig, and it is commonly used across various types of text. While generally neutral to formal, the phrase appears most frequently in news and media, and in wiki-type articles. When using "in greeting", it's best to consider formality of context, as it is most suitable for situations where a polite or respectful tone is desired. If more casual context is desired, consider the alternatives such as "as a welcome" or "hi".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a salutation

Specifies the act of greeting more directly as a form of salutation.

as a welcome

Simplifies the phrase, focusing solely on the welcoming aspect.

by way of welcome

Emphasizes the welcoming aspect of the gesture or action.

as a friendly gesture

Highlights the friendly nature of the greeting.

as an acknowledgment

Focuses on recognizing someone's presence.

to offer greetings

Rephrases the action as providing a welcome.

in salutation

A more formal synonym emphasizing respect or ceremony.

with a welcoming gesture

Describes a physical action of greeting.

in cordial reception

Highlights warmth and friendliness in the greeting.

upon introduction

Focuses on greeting someone at the moment of introduction.

FAQs

How can I use "in greeting" in a sentence?

You can use "in greeting" to describe a formal or polite way of welcoming someone, such as "He extended his hand "in greeting"" or "She offered a nod "in greeting"".

What are some alternatives to "in greeting"?

Alternatives include "as a welcome", "as a salutation", or "by way of welcome", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Consider the context to choose the most appropriate phrase.

Is "in greeting" suitable for informal situations?

While grammatically correct, "in greeting" is generally more suitable for formal or semi-formal situations. In casual contexts, simpler greetings like "hi" or "hello" are often more appropriate.

What's the difference between "in greeting" and "as a welcome"?

"In greeting" describes the manner or action of greeting, whereas "as a welcome" refers more broadly to the act of welcoming. The former is more specific about the greeting itself.