receiving visitors

USAGE SUMMARY

"receiving visitors" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of welcoming or hosting someone who has come to visit. Example: "The president spent the morning receiving visitors from foreign dignitaries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Family receiving visitors at 1646 1st Ave, Apt.

The New York Times

The family will be receiving visitors Sunday - Tuesday.

The New York Times

The family will be receiving visitors from 5-9pm Tuesday.

The New York Times

They weren't receiving visitors and they weren't doing interviews.

The Guardian

Family will be receiving visitors from 3 PM.

The New York Times

But the seals that live around this remote clump of rocks seem interested in receiving visitors.

The Guardian - Travel

Since 2003 she has been banned from receiving visitors, speaking on the telephone or receiving letters.

Independent

Gul Agha was receiving visitors in a long room that had a red carpet and chandeliers.

The New Yorker

The family will be receiving visitors at the family home Thursday through Sunday.

The New York Times

The family is receiving visitors November 1-3, 7-9 PM at the family's residence.

The New York Times

Groups of grieving men sat in three condolence tents today, receiving visitors paying their respects.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "receiving visitors" to describe locations such as hotels or museums that are open to the public.

Common error

Avoid using "seeing visitors" interchangeably with "receiving visitors" in formal contexts. "Receiving visitors" implies a more active and welcoming role, while "seeing visitors" can suggest a passive or merely observational encounter.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "receiving visitors" functions as a gerund phrase, often used as part of a verb phrase to describe an ongoing action. Ludwig shows the phrase appearing in various contexts, from formal announcements to descriptions of social interactions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

0%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "receiving visitors" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of welcoming or hosting individuals. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to inform others that someone is available for visits, whether in a social, professional, or personal context. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase maintains a neutral to slightly formal register. Alternative phrases like "welcoming guests" and "greeting people" offer similar meanings with subtle differences. When using the phrase, ensure clarity and context to avoid confusion with similar expressions like "seeing visitors".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

welcoming guests

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

receiving company

A slightly more formal way of saying "receiving visitors".

hosting callers

Emphasizes the act of providing hospitality to those who are visiting.

greeting people

Highlights the initial act of meeting and acknowledging visitors.

entertaining company

Suggests a more active and engaging form of hosting, involving providing amusement or enjoyment.

seeing guests

Focuses on the act of meeting or having an audience with visitors.

meeting with guests

Emphasizes a planned or scheduled encounter with visitors.

attending to callers

Implies providing assistance or service to visitors.

receiving delegations

Specifically refers to welcoming official groups or representatives.

welcoming delegations

Highlights the act of greeting and accepting official groups or representatives.

FAQs

How can I use "receiving visitors" in a sentence?

You can use "receiving visitors" to describe a person or entity welcoming guests, such as: "The family will be receiving visitors at their home" or "The museum is now receiving visitors after renovations".

What's the difference between "receiving visitors" and "welcoming guests"?

"Receiving visitors" is a more general term, while "welcoming guests" emphasizes the act of making visitors feel comfortable and appreciated.

What are some alternatives to "receiving visitors"?

Alternatives include "hosting callers", "attending to callers", or "greeting people" depending on the specific context.

In what contexts is "receiving visitors" most commonly used?

"Receiving visitors" is often used in announcements related to memorial services, public events, or to describe the state of someone who is ill but able to see people.