inviting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inviting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is attractive or appealing, often in the context of welcoming someone or creating a pleasant atmosphere. Example: "The warm colors and soft lighting made the room feel inviting for guests."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As part of the UK's largest after-hours cultural festival, more than 500 museums, galleries and heritage sites across the country are turning nocturnal this weekend, inviting the public to experience their collections and history after dark.

The Guardian

"Inviting Google to a meeting to attack tax dodging is like inviting Mugabe to discuss democracy," he said.

The Guardian - Tech

But the future path of political reform looks bumpy as well as inviting.

The Guardian - Opinion

Formerly known as Friends of the Italian Opera – after the codename for the mafia in Some Like It Hot – the theatre regularly stages classics by the likes of Samuel Beckett, Harold Pinter, Tennessee Williams and Alan Bennett, as well as inviting young writers to try out their works.

The Guardian

Another night, I drunk-dialed a random guy I'd met online – and with whom I'd been on one (and only one) disastrous date – inviting him over and begging him to stay the night.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I've coached Australia in rugby, if one of my players was seen on the eve of the rugby test was seen... having dinner, privately inviting to dinner one of the All Blacks, the player would be sent home Malcolm," said Jones.

The Guardian

- Mona Sinha, founding board member of the Asian Women's Leadership University Both Carol and Mona committed themselves to being "all in for her" with incredible results, and now Women Moving Millions is inviting all donors to do the same.

The Guardian

With chill-out music playing in the background, hammocks strung from the rafters, yoga classes (daily on demand and free once a week) and an inviting pool, the vibe here is relaxed.

The Guardian - Travel

We don't tell them why we're calling... we're screening for uncommitted voters, and if they meet that qualification, and a few other qualifications, then we say, 'Congratulations, we're actually recruiting for the debate, then we're actually inviting you to be a participant.' And that's how it works.

The Guardian

Right and Centre Labour MPs are hoping that local parties will draw the moral from Bermondsey that if you choose candidates like Mr Tatchell you maybe inviting defeat.

The Guardian

On Wednesday, activist shareholders at Chevron, led by campaign group As You Sow, will attend the company's annual meeting in San Ramon, California, inviting fellow investors to vote in favour of a resolution they have filed calling for Chevron to slash its upstream capital spending and to return the unused cash to shareholders.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a place, event or atmosphere, consider pairing "inviting" with sensory details like colors, sounds, and textures to enhance the reader's experience.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "inviting" to describe appealing things. Instead, use more specific adjectives that capture the unique quality you wish to convey. Consider "alluring", "tempting", or "appealing" to add nuance.

Linguistic Context

The primary function of "inviting" is to act as an adjective, describing a noun with qualities of attractiveness, welcome, or temptation. Ludwig confirms this, showcasing its use across numerous contexts to modify and enhance the description of various subjects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Travel

10%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inviting" functions as an adjective used to describe something attractive, tempting, or welcoming. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its common usage across various contexts, especially in news and media. While grammatically correct, it's best to avoid overuse by opting for synonyms like "appealing", "attractive", or "tempting" to provide greater specificity. Remember, using descriptive language carefully will enhance your writing and create the desired impact on your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

alluring

Focuses more on the power to attract through charm or beauty.

tempting

Highlights the irresistible nature of something, often implying a desire to indulge.

appealing

Emphasizes the quality of being pleasing or attractive to a wider audience.

attractive

A general term for something that draws positive attention.

welcoming

Highlights the friendly and hospitable nature of something.

engaging

Emphasizes the ability to capture and hold someone's interest or attention.

enticing

Suggests a subtle or artful attraction, often with a hint of persuasion.

pleasant

Focuses on the agreeable and enjoyable qualities of something.

charming

Highlights the delightful and appealing qualities, often in a refined way.

magnetic

Emphasizes the powerful, almost irresistible, draw of something.

FAQs

How can I use "inviting" in a sentence?

"Inviting" is an adjective used to describe something that is attractive, tempting, or welcoming. For example, "The restaurant had an inviting atmosphere" or "The warm weather was inviting me to go for a swim".

What are some synonyms for "inviting"?

Synonyms for "inviting" include "appealing", "attractive", "tempting", "alluring", and "welcoming". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something is "very inviting"?

Yes, it is perfectly correct to say something is "very inviting". It simply adds emphasis to the quality of being attractive or welcoming. You could also consider using stronger synonyms like "exceptionally inviting" or "incredibly inviting" for even greater emphasis.

How does "inviting" differ from "invited"?

"Inviting" is an adjective describing something attractive or welcoming, while "invited" is the past participle of the verb "invite", meaning someone has been asked to attend or participate in something. For example, "The hotel room was inviting" versus "I was invited to the party".