visit from someone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "visit from someone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an occasion where a person comes to see or spend time with another person, often in a social context. Example: "I had a lovely visit from my old friend last weekend, and we reminisced about our college days."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

A visit from someone who dangles handcuffs from a belt is more likely.

The New York Times

Only a fifth of voters received a visit from someone wearing a colourful rosette, according to the British Election Study.

The Economist

They often occurred, they say, when they were being returned to their cells after Sunday Mass, or after a visit from someone on the outside.

The Guardian - Film

Mitch Blank's vast collection of Dylan artefacts includes one of his pianos, and there was an occasion when he received a visit from someone who was gripped by a case of Dylan-itis that appeared to be even worse than his own.

Independent

His ruminations drift effortlessly down the intricate ababcadcd rhyme pattern of the seven stanzas to the faint but sweet faith that a church will always attract a visit from someone who "will forever be surprising / A hunger in himself to be more serious, / And gravitating with it to this ground".

The New Yorker

** His ruminations drift effortlessly down the intricate ababcadcd rhyme pattern of the seven stanzas to the faint but sweet faith that a church will always attract a visit from someone who "will forever be surprising / A hunger in himself to be more serious, / And gravitating with it to this ground".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The study provides proof that "homemade toys and weekly visits from someone from within the community can also have a dramatic impact," Behrman says.

Science Magazine

Engagement is necessary to encourage action, Ms. Levitz says, to move a visit to Philadelphia from someone's to-do list "to action".

The New York Times

The friend, whom the captain called Gene, was preparing to visit Italy and wanted advice from someone who lived there, Captain Lau recounted, and so they waited for him outside the stadium in parked cars.

The New York Times

– New customer: one iPhone 3G S per person – Existing customer: one iPhone 3G S per eligible telephone number – Online customer: one iPhone 3G S per household – Inheriting the good old iPhone 3G from someone else? Visit an AT&T store to activate your device.

TechCrunch

However, this and eight other species described by Labillardière do not occur in any locations that he visited, suggesting that he obtained specimens from someone else whom he failed to credit.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "visit from someone", ensure the context clearly indicates the purpose and relationship between the visitor and the visited. This improves clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "visit from someone" in contexts where the relationship between the visitor and the visited is unclear or could be misinterpreted. Specify the relationship or use a more descriptive phrase to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "visit from someone" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the act of receiving a visit from an unspecified individual.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

23%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "visit from someone" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe the act of being visited by an unspecified person. According to Ludwig AI, it is a usable phrase in written English. It appears frequently in news, science, and wiki contexts, maintaining a neutral tone. While alternatives like "having someone visit" or "someone dropping by" exist, "visit from someone" remains a straightforward and versatile option for expressing the reception of a visit. When you want to make sure your usage is crystal clear, clarify the relationship between the visitor and the visited.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

having someone visit

This inverts the sentence structure to focus on the receiver.

a visitor arriving

Focuses on the action of someone arriving as a visitor, simplifying the original phrase.

someone dropping by

Emphasizes the casual, often unplanned, nature of the visit.

a person coming over

Indicates someone is coming to someone's place. It's informal and emphasizes the destination.

a guest appearing

Highlights the unexpected or formal nature of the visitor's arrival.

somebody showing up

Highlights the act of arrival and can imply a lack of planning.

an individual calling

This refers to someone making a social call, changing the emphasis to the act of calling.

an appearance by somebody

This is a more formal way of describing someone showing up.

receiving company

Focuses on the act of hosting visitors rather than the visit itself.

a call from an individual

Changes the context to a phone call but keeps the 'someone' aspect.

FAQs

What does "visit from someone" mean?

A "visit from someone" refers to an occasion when a person comes to see or spend time with another person, usually in a social or personal context.

How can I replace "visit from someone" in a sentence?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "someone dropping by", "having someone visit", or "a guest appearing".

Is it correct to say "a visit by someone" instead of "a visit from someone"?

Yes, "a visit by someone" is a grammatically correct alternative and can be used interchangeably in most contexts. The choice often depends on personal preference or stylistic considerations.

When is it appropriate to use "visit from someone" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "an appearance by somebody" or "a meeting with an individual" in highly formal contexts. However, "visit from someone" is suitable for neutral to semi-formal writing.