upon exchanging pleasantries

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upon exchanging pleasantries" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where people engage in polite conversation or greetings before moving on to a more serious topic or discussion. Example: "Upon exchanging pleasantries, the two leaders began to discuss the pressing issues at hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

After exchanging pleasantries, I inquired about his profession.

University of Pennsylvania

The bank A.T.M. has stopped us from exchanging pleasantries with the teller as we collect our $20 bills.

The New York Times - Tech

Are you friendly?' You could try asking this instead of exchanging pleasantries about the weather.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I rarely go beyond exchanging "pleasantries," dancing and sometimes sharing phone numbers.

Huffington Post

We see neighbors, black and white, exchanging pleasantries.

The New York Times

The Peoria paper, for example, debunked the notion that Johnson and Sims were "exchanging pleasantries" when she died.

The New Yorker

Exchanging pleasantries with the valet aside, the entire process essentially consists of a few button presses.

TechCrunch

We wave, exchanging pleasantries.

Huffington Post

A married couple walked in with their baby in a stroller, exchanging pleasantries with the rabbi in Hebrew.

Los Angeles Times

For now they were content to exchange pleasantries.

The Guardian - Sport

Then it was the First Lady's turn to exchange pleasantries about her new home.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upon exchanging pleasantries" to set a formal or professional tone, indicating a transition from initial greetings to a more substantive discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "upon exchanging pleasantries" in casual conversations or informal writing, as it can sound overly stiff or pretentious. Simpler phrases like "after saying hello" or "after a quick chat" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon exchanging pleasantries" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used to introduce a subsequent action or event that follows a polite initial interaction. The phrase sets a formal tone and implies a structured sequence of events.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "upon exchanging pleasantries" is a formal prepositional phrase used to indicate that a more significant action follows an initial, polite greeting. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct. Due to its formality, it is best suited for professional or formal settings. While there are no direct examples in the provided data, alternative phrases like "after exchanging greetings" or "following a brief greeting" can serve as less formal substitutes. When using this phrase, be mindful of the tone and ensure it aligns with the intended audience and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after exchanging greetings

Replaces "pleasantries" with the more general term "greetings", focusing on the act of acknowledging someone.

following a brief greeting

Condenses the phrase, emphasizing the brevity of the initial exchange.

after some initial small talk

Highlights the casual and light nature of the conversation.

once the initial greetings were exchanged

Uses a passive voice to shift the focus away from the actors.

having exchanged formalities

Replaces "pleasantries" with "formalities", emphasizing the conventional nature of the exchange.

after the initial polite conversation

Specifies that the exchange involves a "polite conversation", adding a layer of detail.

once they had greeted each other

Simplifies the phrase, focusing on the core action of greeting.

after a few introductory remarks

Emphasizes the preliminary nature of the conversation.

following a short exchange of words

Uses a more generic phrase to describe the initial interaction.

subsequent to the initial welcome

Replaces "exchanging pleasantries" with a formal and somewhat indirect phrase.

FAQs

How can I use "upon exchanging pleasantries" in a sentence?

You can use "upon exchanging pleasantries" to indicate the start of a conversation following an initial greeting. For example, "Upon exchanging pleasantries, the negotiation began".

What can I say instead of "upon exchanging pleasantries"?

You can use alternatives like "after exchanging greetings", "following a brief greeting", or "after some initial small talk depending on the context.

Which is correct, "upon exchanging pleasantries" or "after exchanging pleasantries"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "upon exchanging pleasantries" is more formal and less common than "after exchanging pleasantries".

What is the difference between "upon exchanging pleasantries" and "after exchanging pleasantries"?

"Upon exchanging pleasantries" is a more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying "after exchanging pleasantries". The choice depends on the desired tone and register of your writing.