Nice to see you

USAGE SUMMARY

'Nice to see you' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when meeting someone again after a long time apart, or when meeting them in person for the first time. For example, "It was so nice to see you at the party last night. We should get together soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Nice to see you.

The New York Times

"Nice to see you again".

The New York Times

"Nice to see you all.

The New Yorker

Nice to see you, "Community".

The New Yorker

Nice to see you, too, Fergie.

The New York Times

Nice to see you too?

The Guardian - Opinion

Nice to see you, I said.

The New Yorker

Nice to see you again, too!

The New Yorker

Nice to see you.' And walked away".

The New York Times

"Nice to see you," he said.

The New Yorker

"Nice to see you, Mr. Hunter," said Mr. Brown.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Adjust the level of formality based on your relationship with the person. While generally appropriate, consider "Good to see you" for closer acquaintances.

Common error

Avoid using "Nice to see you" with someone you're meeting for the very first time. "Nice to meet you" is the appropriate greeting in this situation.

Linguistic Context

"Nice to see you" functions as an interjection or greeting. It's used to express pleasure upon encountering someone known. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English and its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Nice to see you" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used as a friendly greeting when encountering someone familiar. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While generally appropriate across various contexts, it's essential to consider the level of formality and choose alternative greetings like "Pleased to meet you" for first-time meetings or "It's a pleasure to see you" for more formal situations. The phrase is frequently found in News & Media and other sources, indicating its widespread usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Good to see you

A more casual variant of the original phrase, suitable for informal settings.

I'm glad to see you

Focuses on the speaker's feeling of happiness at the meeting.

It's a pleasure to see you

Adds a level of formality and politeness to the greeting.

How lovely to see you

Expresses a stronger sense of delight upon seeing the person.

Welcome, it's good to see you

Combines a welcome with the expression of pleasure at seeing someone.

Pleased to meet you

Focuses more on the act of meeting someone, suitable for first encounters.

I'm delighted to see you again

Expresses a high degree of pleasure, specifically when meeting again.

Nice to run into you

Suggests an unexpected but pleasant encounter.

What a pleasant surprise to see you

Emphasizes the unexpected and positive nature of the encounter.

It's been too long

Implies that it has been a significant amount of time since the last meeting.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to say "Nice to see you"?

"Nice to see you" is typically used when greeting someone you already know, whether you've met them recently or it's been a while. It's a friendly way to acknowledge a familiar person.

What can I say instead of "Nice to see you"?

Alternatives include "Good to see you", "It's a pleasure to see you", or "I'm glad to see you", depending on the context and your relationship with the person.

Is "Nice to see you" suitable for formal situations?

While generally acceptable, in very formal settings, consider a slightly more elevated greeting such as "It's a pleasure to see you again" or a simple "Good afternoon" followed by their name if appropriate.

What's the difference between "Nice to meet you" and "Nice to see you"?

"Nice to meet you" is used when you are introduced to someone for the first time. "Nice to see you" is used when greeting someone you have already met before.