saying farewell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "saying farewell" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing the act of bidding someone goodbye or parting ways, often in a sentimental or formal context. Example: "After years of friendship, we gathered for a small party, saying farewell to our dear friend who was moving away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was saying farewell, but to what?

The Guardian - Sport

Some teachers, though, had a harder time saying farewell.

The New York Times

No mourning over saying farewell to the season here.

The Guardian - Travel

We are saying farewell to a mind of unrivalled quality.

The Guardian - Books

Sam was there with members of Jonathan Cohen's lab; they were saying farewell to a postdoc.

Princeton University

Watch our video to find out why we're saying farewell to our beloved red couch.

Stanford University

In all of this, China is saying farewell to its past economic strategy.

The New York Times

Backstage, Mr. Jacobs was ebullient, but he would not comment on his exit, beyond saying: "Farewell?

The New York Times

But does building dense, vertical cities mean we are effectively saying farewell to green urban spaces?

The Guardian

So the family is saying farewell to the downtown pad — and quite a bachelor pad it must have been.

The New York Times

A way of seeing the outside world, or saying farewell to it, before entering a closed religious order?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context; "saying farewell" might be more appropriate in formal or sentimental situations than a simple "goodbye".

Common error

Avoid using "saying farewell" in overly casual situations where a simple "goodbye" or "see you later" would be more natural. Using it in informal settings can sound stilted or overly dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "saying farewell" functions primarily as a gerund phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples show its versatility in describing the action of bidding goodbye in various contexts. It embodies the act of parting, which can be tinged with emotion or formality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "saying farewell" is a grammatically correct and widely used gerund phrase that conveys the act of bidding goodbye, often with a sense of finality or sentimentality. As Ludwig confirms, its usage spans across various contexts, from news and media to academia, although it's more suited for formal or sentimental situations than casual ones. While alternatives like "bidding adieu" or "taking leave" exist, the choice depends on the desired tone and context. Avoiding overuse in informal settings is crucial to maintain a natural and appropriate register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bidding adieu

More formal and literary than "saying farewell".

exchanging farewells

Implies a mutual act of "saying farewell" between two or more parties.

wishing farewell

Highlights the act of expressing good wishes as someone departs.

expressing parting wishes

Focuses on the act of conveying goodbyes rather than the act of leaving.

parting ways

Focuses on the separation itself rather than the expression of goodbye.

taking leave

Emphasizes the act of departing or leaving a place or situation.

extending goodbyes

Highlights the act of prolonging or elaborating on the farewell.

uttering goodbyes

Emphasizes the act of speaking the words of farewell.

offering a valediction

A very formal and sometimes ceremonial way of "saying farewell".

taking one's leave

A more formal and slightly archaic way of indicating departure.

FAQs

What is another way of saying "saying farewell"?

Alternatives include "bidding adieu", "expressing parting wishes", or "taking leave", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

How do I use "saying farewell" in a sentence?

"Saying farewell" is typically used as a gerund phrase. For example, "Saying farewell to her colleagues was more difficult than she anticipated."

Is it always appropriate to use "saying farewell"?

While grammatically correct, "saying farewell" is better suited for more formal or sentimental contexts. In casual settings, simpler alternatives like "goodbye" are preferable.

What's the difference between "saying goodbye" and "saying farewell"?

"Saying goodbye" is a more general and common expression. "Saying farewell" often carries a stronger sense of finality or sentimentality.