“Welcome” or “Welcomed”—Which is Correct?

Is it correct to comment, “You’re welcome” or “You’re welcomed”?

How can you be sure what word to use when welcoming someone to an event or into your house?

There are certain rules in writing that you must follow in order for it to make sense to those reading.

So, whether you are writing online comments, a blog, or an academic post, knowing the difference between the word “welcomed” and the word “welcome” is essential.

With that, “welcome” can serve as an action word, an adjective, or an interjection.

Keep reading to find the answer to how to utilize the correct word in your upcoming project…

Welcome: present tense verb form

One acceptable way to use “welcome” is as a present tense verb.

Word	Definition
Welcomed (past tense)	to greet someone in a polite and friendly way when they have come to see you or to help you warmly welcome (=with enthusiasm):

In its verb form, the word means “to greet something or to receive or accept it with joy.”

For instance, if a person says, “I would welcome your opinion on what I should do for school,” the term “welcome” is in its verb form.

Essentially, you can use the term in phrases where you want to describe receiving anything with delight.

But, keep in mind there is a difference in the definition where “welcome” is used as an adjective or interjection.

Welcome: interjection

“Welcome” can also be used in an interjectional context.

With that, an interjection is a word that is utilized to describe anger, surprise, or any other type of emotion with simple vocabulary.

When using “welcome” as an interjection, it is most frequently used to greet a guest/any other person.

Essentially, it is used just like the word “hello” or “yay.”

Note that, when used as an interjection, the word “welcome” has a warm and inviting feeling.

With other interjections, they can function as a more neutral word or even as a surprising word.

Types of interjections

In writing, interjections are words that express a sudden or strong answer to something.

Word	Definition
Welcome (interjection)	used for welcoming someone to a place.

Additionally, this type of word is defined as an article that is grammatically independent of the words around it.

Essentially, that means the word does not get modified or modify other terms.

An interjection isn’t necessary when writing.

However, they add more expression to the sentences they are used in.

One commonly accepted interjection is “ow,” which one can use to comment on being in a state of pain.

Or, the word “yay” is used to express pleasure or excitement.

Another popular interjection word is “congratulations,” which can be used when someone accomplishes something.

Welcome: adjective form

In the English language, “welcome” can be used as an adjective.

In its adjective form, “welcome” generally means “wanted, appreciated, or pleasing.”

For instance, the adjective can be utilized in a phrase like, “Tell Roberta she is welcome to stop by.”

Also, in the common phrase “you’re welcome,” which you say after someone thanks you for something, the term serves as an adjective.

In its adjective form, the word can also mean “giving pleasure; receiving with gladness or delight, especially in response to a need.”

For instance, “The break was a welcome relief.”

The word can also be defined as “willingly permitted or admitted.”

In this case, “Robert was welcome to answer the question or not.”

What is an adjective?

An adjective is a type of word that describe the states of being of nouns.

Additionally, this type of word can be used to describe the number of nouns, like “many,” “few,” or “millions.”

Lastly, an adjective can act as a complement to linking verbs or the verb “to be.”

Welcomed: past participle verb

When you are wondering whether to use the word “welcome” or “welcomed,” it’s important to understand the correct definition.

That said, “welcomed” is the previous tense of the present tense verb “welcome.”

Recall, as a verb, “welcome” means “to greet hospitably and with courtesy or cordiality.”

Or, the word can be defined as “to accept with happiness the occurrence or presence of.”

So, as a past participle, “welcomed” is used to describe something that has already happened.

Further, “appreciated” is the previous tense of “appreciate,” and “accepted” is the past participle or “accept.”

Examples of welcome in a sentence (present tense verb)

The following sentences use “welcome” as a verb in the present tense.

• “He would welcome your appreciation if you offered it.”
• “The couple was at the door to welcome us in because we didn’t have a key.”
• “It was a pleasure to welcome the blog onto the website.”
• “I would welcome any feedback or advice you have on my new blog.”
• “Adrian wanted to welcome a new food into his diet to set an example for his kids.”
• “I hope to welcome more writers to my blog after I get feedback.”

Examples of welcomed in a sentence

In the English language, “welcomed” is the past tense of “welcome.”

Here are some ways to form a sentence using the word “welcomed.”

• “I didn’t feel welcomed at the party in the past, so I don’t think I will go this year.”
• “He welcomed the student to talk about what he did wrong, but she wasn’t ready yet.”
• “Haley welcomed the group into her home in search of answers about the latest magazine article.”
• “Why wasn’t I welcomed to the party?”
• “The answers weren’t welcomed in the past, but today, there’s new knowledge available.”
• “He didn’t feel welcomed by the sign that was posted outside.”
• “I was welcomed to subscribe to his TED talk this afternoon.”

How to remember which word to use

How do you remember whether to write “welcome” or “welcomed”?

“Welcomed” is only used as a verb in the previous tense.

So, it is not correct to say, “You’re welcomed.” (passive construction – present tense passive voice)

Instead, you would write, “You’re welcome.” (active construction – present tense active voice)

To use “welcomed” in the correct way, you would write a sentence like, “He welcomed her inside his house to search for the cat together.”

Also, remember that “welcome” can be used as an adjective in sentences, a verb, or an interjection.

That said, it is grammatically accepted to simply say or write, “Welcome!” in order to invite someone inside.

Sources

1. Welcome or Welcomed – Grammarly
2. Do You Say “Welcome” or “Welcomed”? Difference Explained – Grammarhow
3. Welcome definition – Merriam-Webster
4. What is an Interjection? – EasyBib
5. Feedback Is Welcome, Or Feedback Is Welcomed? – Grammarhow
6. What Ia an Adjective? – Grammarly
7. Interjection – Wikipedia
8. Definition and Types of Interjections – ThoughtCo