welcoming someone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "welcoming someone" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the act of greeting or receiving someone in a friendly manner. Example: "The community is known for welcoming newcomers with open arms." Alternative expressions include "greeting someone" and "receiving someone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Q. Are there some situations where it's better not to forgive? A. I think there is a big difference between forgiving and welcoming someone back into your life.

The New York Times - Science

So please join me in welcoming someone who's your strongest advocate, someone who shows his support for our military not only in words, but in deeds, my husband, our President, and your Commander-in-Chief, Barack Obama.

The New York Times

"In the Studio" enters Q4 by welcoming someone who picked up computer science because he was bored in college, went on to build products and bootstrapped businesses before eventually packing his bags and heading out west, where he landed at one of the Valley's most talented startups and eventually met his future co-founder for his next business.

TechCrunch

And, if you're welcoming someone home in the next few weeks, prepare yourself as well.

Huffington Post

Cudlitz talked openly about his reaction to breaking apart Cooper's three-season partnership with Ben, welcoming someone new into the fold and how he wouldn't say no to a fancy new partner each season, "Dexter" style, or to going back to training.

Huffington Post

Mrs G is the kind of woman I would like to grow up to be – warm and welcoming, someone who makes a batch of crostoli just in case anyone drops by.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

I don't like the way he talked about women and grabbing their private parts and so there's nothing about him that I would want to be involved with and certainly the inauguration is a way of welcoming in someone to the presidency and honoring them and respecting them".

Huffington Post

Amid so much uncertainty, it was welcoming to hear someone in authority talk about some sort of plan.

The Guardian

Later in the episode, during the scene where the townsfolk are welcoming Ned back, someone can be seen holding a sign that says "Free John Swartzwelder".

Wikipedia

He'd quickly followed this up with the kind of sarcastic smile you'd expect from someone welcoming two foreigners to a city on the day the army decided to massacre 600 of its own people.

Vice

In the ads Mr. Jennings placed in Chinese-language newspapers a few months ago, he disparaged his Taiwanese ex-wife and her family, saying they had not been particularly welcoming to "someone of African descent".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair it with adverbs like "warmly" or "officially" to specify the tone of the reception.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase when you mean you are merely agreeing with a statement. While "welcoming someone" can be figurative (e.g., "welcoming someone back into your life"), it primarily refers to the act of reception or hospitality rather than cognitive alignment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "welcoming someone" functions primarily as a gerund phrase or a present participle phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to describe the ongoing action of greeting or accepting a person into a space or group. It often acts as a direct object or the subject of a sentence in analyzed examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "welcoming someone" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase frequently used to describe the act of reception and inclusion. Ludwig AI indicates that it is most prevalent in News & Media and Scientific contexts, often appearing in discussions regarding social relationships, professional introductions, and community building. While it is classified as uncommon in terms of absolute frequency within this specific dataset, its high-quality source associations—including The New York Times and The Economist—confirm its status as a standard and professional expression. Writers should feel confident using it to convey warmth, hospitality, or official recognition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

greeting an individual

More formal and focuses specifically on the initial moment of contact.

receiving a visitor

Shifts the focus to the role of the person arriving as a guest.

embracing a newcomer

Carries a stronger emotional or figurative sense of total acceptance.

hosting a guest

Emphasizes the ongoing responsibility of hospitality rather than just the arrival.

inviting someone in

Focuses on the offer of entry made before the person arrives.

ushering someone in

Focuses on the physical act of leading someone into a space.

onboarding a new hire

Specific to a professional business or organizational context.

admitting a person

Suggests a formal or institutional granting of entry.

hailing an individual

More enthusiastic or public, often involving calling out to someone.

accepting an entrant

Technical tone, often used in competitions or data entry.

FAQs

What is a more formal way of saying "welcoming someone"?

You can use alternatives like "receiving a guest" or "formally greeting" depending on the context.

Can I use "welcoming someone" in a business setting?

Yes, it is common, though specific terms like "onboarding a new hire" are more precise for professional recruitment.

What is the difference between "welcoming someone" and "greeting someone"?

While "greeting someone" refers to the initial exchange of words, "welcoming someone" implies a broader sense of hospitality and inclusion.

How do I express "welcoming someone" with more emotion?

You might consider using "embracing someone" or "warmly receiving" to convey a deeper level of enthusiasm.