return pleasantries

USAGE SUMMARY

"return pleasantries" is correct and should be used in written English
You can use this phrase to express acknowledging and responding to another person's pleasant remark or comment. For example, "After they greeted me with a warm hello, I returned pleasantries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Chambers, who does not align himself with any mainstream political party, gamely returned the pleasantries on the opening day of Nebraska's legislative session, but with a healthy dose of skepticism.

The New York Times

Business proceeds slowly, after long pleasantries.

Vice

He had sent a messenger bearing a letter from Vaudreuil to Abercrombie (part of a conventional exchange of pleasantries between opposing commanders) on June 10, expecting him to return; the fact that the British held him was an indication that the messenger had probably learned too much just by being in the British camp.

Wikipedia

They noticed that they were laughing at the same things in the movie, and they exchanged a few pleasantries before Ms. Resman, who was traveling with a colleague, returned to her seat.

The New York Times - Style

There was another pleasantry: payoff time.

The New York Times - Sports

We ate dinner at the BridgePort Ale House in the Hawthorne area, about 10 minutes away, but quickly returned to campus, where Sara and I took seats in the Detention Bar and exchanged pleasantries with the other delinquents.

The New York Times - Travel

For that matter, a white American traveling as a tourist is likely to be fawned over as an Asian American who "returns" to an ancestral "homeland" is not, in the sense that if the former is able to exchange pleasantries they are congratulated on their fluency and cultural sensitivity while the latter is chastised for what is interpreted as cultural estrangement.

Huffington Post

Pleasantries abounded.

The New York Times

No pleasantries.

The Guardian - Sport

Forced pleasantries.

The New York Times

Pleasantries exchanged.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "return pleasantries" to convey a sense of formal politeness and reciprocal social interaction, particularly in written communication or when describing interactions between individuals who are not intimately familiar with each other.

Common error

Avoid using "return pleasantries" in casual conversations with close friends or family; opt for more relaxed expressions like "say hello back" or a simple "hi" to maintain a natural and comfortable tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "return pleasantries" functions as a verbal expression describing a polite exchange. Ludwig AI indicates its correct usage, emphasizing acknowledgment and response to another's courteous remark.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "return pleasantries" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of responding to polite greetings or remarks, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While its frequency is currently missing in our dataset, it conveys a sense of formal politeness suitable for professional or less familiar social contexts. Alternative phrases like "exchange greetings" or "respond politely" can be used in different situations. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media and formal business contexts, indicating its appropriateness for describing interactions in these settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reciprocate greetings

Focuses on the act of responding to a greeting, emphasizing the reciprocal nature of the exchange.

exchange civilities

Highlights the polite and formal nature of the interaction.

respond in kind

Emphasizes mirroring the other person's behavior or words in a similar manner.

offer a polite reply

Stresses the courteous aspect of the response.

give a courteous response

Similar to 'offer a polite reply', but with slightly more emphasis on respect and deference.

acknowledge with courtesy

Highlights the act of recognizing someone's statement or action with politeness.

make a polite rejoinder

Suggests a witty or clever response, while still maintaining politeness.

offer a civil answer

Emphasizes the respectful and non-offensive nature of the response, even in potentially contentious situations.

reply with decorum

Focuses on adhering to social norms and expectations of polite behavior in the response.

return the compliment

Involves giving back a compliment after receiving one.

FAQs

How can I use "return pleasantries" in a sentence?

You can use "return pleasantries" to describe a polite exchange. For example, "After they greeted me warmly, I "returned pleasantries" before the meeting commenced."

What are some alternatives to saying "return pleasantries"?

Alternatives include "exchange greetings", "reciprocate greetings", or simply "respond politely" depending on the context.

Is "return pleasantries" formal or informal?

"Return pleasantries" leans toward the formal side. In less formal settings, phrases like "say hi back" or a simple nod might be more appropriate.

What does it mean to "return pleasantries"?

To "return pleasantries" means to acknowledge and respond to polite greetings or remarks made by someone else, indicating mutual courtesy and respect.