say hello

USAGE SUMMARY

"say hello" is a correct phrase in written English, and it can be used to initiate a conversation.
For example, you can start a new email with your coworkers by saying "Hi everyone, say hello!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He would say: 'Hello!

The New York Times

Stop by and say hello!

Columbia University

Go say hello," said Williamston.

Vice

Go say hello.

Vice

If they say "hello", say "hello".

WikiHow

Smile and say hello!

WikiHow

"You should say hello".

The New Yorker

Must you say hello?

The New York Times

Say hello to braising.

The New York Times - Food

You say hello.

The New York Times

He didn't say hello.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "say hello" in various contexts, from informal greetings to introducing someone. It's a versatile phrase suitable for most situations.

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid overusing "say hello" in highly formal or professional communications. More formal greetings might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "say hello" functions primarily as an imperative verb phrase, used to instruct or encourage someone to offer a greeting. Ludwig shows many instances of its usage in various contexts, confirming its active role in initiating social interactions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "say hello" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to initiate greetings or encourage someone to acknowledge another's presence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, including News & Media and Wiki articles, with a generally neutral to informal register. When used in formal environments, it may be more appropriate to choose alternative more formal expressions. Key sources for its usage include The New York Times and The Guardian, highlighting its prevalence in authoritative publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

greet someone

Focuses on the action of welcoming or acknowledging someone's presence.

offer a greeting

Indicates the act of presenting a salutation to someone.

welcome someone

Highlights the act of warmly receiving someone.

extend greetings

Emphasizes the act of formally offering a salutation.

give a salutation

Highlights the formal aspect of offering a greeting.

address someone

Focuses on speaking directly to someone, starting with a greeting.

exchange pleasantries

Focuses on the act of sharing polite conversation starters.

acknowledge presence

Highlights the act of recognizing someone is there.

make an acquaintance

Emphasizes the beginning of a relationship through a greeting.

hail someone

Suggests calling out to someone in greeting, often from a distance.

FAQs

How can I use "say hello" in a sentence?

You can use "say hello" to greet someone, as in "Go "say hello" to your grandmother" or to introduce someone, such as "Say hello to my friend, John".

What are some alternative phrases for "say hello"?

Instead of "say hello", you could use phrases like "greet", "welcome", or "extend greetings", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it always necessary to "say hello" when meeting someone?

While it's generally polite to "say hello", there may be situations where a simple nod or smile is sufficient, especially if you're already in a conversation or the environment is very noisy.

How does "say hello" differ from "say hi"?

"Say hello" and "say hi" are often interchangeable, but "say hello" can sometimes be perceived as slightly more formal than "say hi", which is considered more casual.