It would be lovely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "It would be lovely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a desire or wish for something pleasant or enjoyable to happen. Example: "It would be lovely to have a picnic in the park this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It would be lovely.

Independent

It would be lovely if it were.

The New Yorker

It would be lovely to win.

The New York Times

"It would be lovely to have another win".

Independent

It would be lovely to dismiss this analysis as outdated.

The New York Times - Books

It would be lovely to see him again.

The Guardian - Sport

"It would be lovely if he could come over here.

The New York Times - Sports

"It would be lovely," he said, gazing at the dilapidated structures.

The New York Times

"It would be lovely if they take it on to the next generation," he says.

Independent

It would be lovely, Montse, if we didn't have to see too much of him.

The New Yorker

"It would be lovely to see you, dear boy; it would be amusing," Alan said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "It would be lovely" with a conditional clause to soften a request or express a hope, such as, "It would be lovely if the weather cleared up for the picnic."

Common error

Avoid using "It would be lovely" excessively in formal or professional writing, as it can sometimes come across as too informal or lacking in directness. In such contexts, consider alternatives like "It would be beneficial" or "We would appreciate it if."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "It would be lovely" functions as an evaluative expression, conveying a subjective assessment of a potential or desired situation. It is a polite and gentle way of expressing a wish or suggestion, indicating that something would be pleasing or agreeable. As Ludwig AI suggests, it expresses a desire or wish for something pleasant or enjoyable to happen.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "It would be lovely" is a common and generally correct way to express a polite wish, desire, or suggestion. According to Ludwig AI, it's used to express a desire for something pleasant or enjoyable to happen. With a neutral to informal register, it is versatile enough for many situations. While predominantly found in News & Media sources, it also sees use in other contexts. Alternatives such as "It would be wonderful" or "It would be delightful" can add emphasis or nuance. Remember to avoid overuse in strictly formal settings, as it might be perceived as lacking directness. As highlighted by Ludwig examples, this phrase is a useful tool for softening requests and expressing hopeful anticipation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It would be wonderful

Emphasizes a stronger sense of delight or amazement.

It would be delightful

Suggests a sense of joy and pleasure.

It would be nice

Is more understated and less emphatic.

It would be great

Implies a positive outcome or experience.

That would be pleasant

Focuses on the agreeable nature of the situation.

That would be welcome

Suggests that something is anticipated with pleasure or relief.

I would appreciate that

Conveys gratitude and acceptance.

That would be ideal

Indicates a perfect or highly suitable outcome.

It would be a pleasure

Highlights the enjoyable aspect of an event or action.

I'd be glad

Expresses happiness or willingness.

FAQs

How can I use "It would be lovely" in a sentence?

Use "It would be lovely" to express a polite wish or suggestion. For example, "It would be lovely if you could join us for dinner" or "It would be lovely to see you again soon".

What can I say instead of "It would be lovely"?

You can use alternatives like "it would be wonderful", "it would be delightful", or "it would be nice" depending on the context.

Is "It will be lovely" grammatically correct?

Yes, "It will be lovely" is grammatically correct. It expresses a future expectation of something being pleasant or enjoyable, whereas "It would be lovely" typically expresses a conditional or hypothetical wish.

What's the difference between "It would be lovely" and "It is lovely"?

"It would be lovely" suggests a hypothetical or desired scenario, while "It is lovely" describes something that is currently pleasing or delightful. For example, "It would be lovely to visit Paris someday" versus "It is lovely to see you again".