say hello to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "say hello to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you're addressing someone else, usually to greet them or introduce them to someone else. For example, "Say hello to my friend, Sam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Say hello to braising.

The New York Times - Food

Say hello to Nana.

The New Yorker

"Say hello to John Adam".

The New Yorker

Say hello to la profesora.

The New Yorker

Say hello to iPhone.

The Guardian - Tech

Say hello to oleogustus.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Say hello to tangerine?

The New York Times - Magazine

"Say hello to David.

The Guardian

Like 'Say hello to Mr Happy'".

The Guardian - Film

Say hello to the 200 convertible.

The New York Times

"Everyone has to say hello to him".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In dialogue, use this phrase to direct a child or a newcomer to acknowledge someone present in a polite manner.

Common error

Writers sometimes use "say hello to" when they actually mean to ask someone to relay a greeting to a third party who is not present. In such cases, use the construction "say hello to [name] for me" to clarify that the greeting is a relayed message rather than a direct instruction to the person standing in front of you.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "say hello to" functions as an imperative verb construction. According to Ludwig, it is frequently used to initiate a social interaction or to rhetorically present a new subject to an audience.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

25%

Social Media

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "say hello to" is a highly versatile and essential English phrase. Ludwig AI highlights its dual utility: it is both a standard way to facilitate social greetings and a powerful rhetorical device used by journalists to introduce new technology, trends or people. Whether you are telling a friend to "say hello to" a family member or a tech writer is inviting you to "say hello to" a new gadget, the phrase remains a staple of modern communication. It is grammatically correct, universally accepted and carries a friendly, engaging tone that works across various media platforms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

say hi to

Shifts the tone to a more casual and colloquial level suitable for informal social settings.

greet

Provides a more formal and professional verb choice for official or academic contexts.

welcome

Focuses specifically on the act of receiving someone or a new concept into a specific environment.

send my regards to

Used when requesting a third party to convey your greetings to someone else.

introduce yourself to

Changes the directive from a simple greeting to the act of establishing a new connection.

give a shout-out to

A modern, informal alternative often used in media or public speaking to acknowledge someone.

acknowledge

Suggests a more formal or distant recognition of someone's presence.

give a wave to

Specifies a physical gesture of greeting rather than a verbal one.

make the acquaintance of

An extremely formal and slightly antiquated way to describe meeting someone for the first time.

pay your respects to

A solemn variation used for formal visits or to show deep honor toward someone important.

FAQs

How to use "say hello to" in a sentence?

You can use "say hello to" to direct someone to greet another person, such as "Please say hello to your mother for me", or to introduce a new concept, like "Say hello to the future of sustainable energy".

What can I say instead of "say hello to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "greet", "say hi to" or "welcome".

What is the difference between "say hello to" and "say hello for"?

You use "say hello to" for a direct greeting or introduction, while "say hello for" is typically part of the phrase "say hello for me", which asks someone to pass your greetings to another person.

Is "say hello to" formal or informal?

It is generally considered Neutral. It is informal enough for daily conversation but professional enough to be used in major publications like The New York Times to introduce new topics.