receive guests

USAGE SUMMARY

"receive guests" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to welcoming people into your home or hosting them in some other way. For example, "We agreed to receive guests for dinner on Wednesday evening."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

The family will begin to receive guests at 10 30am.

The New York Times

Do you like to receive guests in your dressing room?

The Guardian

The family will receive guests at the Naples Yacht Club following the service.

The New York Times

Family will receive guests Thursday, November 11 and Friday November 12.

The New York Times

Do you like to receive guests in your dressing room after a show?

The Guardian

The family will receive guests at home Sunday and Monday from 5 PM to 8 PM.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

You will also receive guest sessions from a diverse selection of high-profile directors and commissioners, including Katharine Round, Trim Lamba, Darren Emerson and John Smith.

The Guardian

Umar, they say, is not receiving guests today.

The New York Times

The socialist leader regularly received guests and gave television interviews.

The Guardian

Family will be receiving guests at home through the morning of September 28.

The New York Times

"He answered letters for the first hour of the day, before receiving guests," he said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about formal events, use "receive guests" to convey a sense of tradition and respect. For example, "The ambassador will receive guests at the embassy."

Common error

Avoid using "receive guests" in casual contexts where a more informal phrase like "have people over" would be more appropriate. The formality of "receive guests" can sound out of place in everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "receive guests" functions as a verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It denotes the action of welcoming and hosting people.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "receive guests" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression for welcoming and hosting individuals. As Ludwig AI confirms, its formality makes it suitable for professional, news-related, and academic settings, while less appropriate for casual conversations. It is found very commonly across various authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, with "welcome visitors" and "host company" serving as viable alternatives depending on the context. When using "receive guests", be mindful of the setting to ensure it aligns with the intended tone and level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

welcome visitors

Focuses on the act of greeting and making visitors feel comfortable.

host company

Highlights the act of providing hospitality and entertainment.

greet arrivals

Emphasizes the action of meeting people as they arrive.

entertain guests

Focuses on providing amusement and enjoyment to guests.

welcome attendees

Specifically refers to welcoming people to an event or gathering.

have company over

An informal way of saying someone is hosting guests at their home.

play host

Highlights the role of someone who is responsible for looking after guests.

hold a reception

Refers to a formal event where guests are received and welcomed.

welcome people

A more general term for greeting and accepting people.

meet and greet visitors

Emphasizes both the meeting and welcoming aspects.

FAQs

How can I use "receive guests" in a sentence?

You can use "receive guests" to describe the act of welcoming and hosting people. For example, "The family will "receive guests" at their home after the ceremony."

What are some alternatives to "receive guests"?

Alternatives include "welcome visitors", "host company", or "entertain guests", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "receive guests" appropriate for both formal and informal settings?

While grammatically correct in any setting, "receive guests" is more suitable for formal or traditional contexts. For informal settings, consider phrases like "have people over" or "have company over".

What is the difference between "receive guests" and "greet visitors"?

"Receive guests" implies a more formal and hosted welcome, often with planned arrangements. "Greet visitors", on the other hand, simply refers to acknowledging and welcoming people upon arrival.