delighted to see you

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "delighted to see you" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a warm greeting when meeting someone you are happy to see, often in both formal and informal contexts. Example: "It was such a pleasant surprise to run into you at the event; I was truly delighted to see you."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

They'll be delighted to see you.

The New Yorker

I'm delighted to see you.

The New York Times

"Delighted to see you here," writes Mac Millings.

The Guardian - Sport

"Absolutely delighted to see you," he said, with royal British diction.

The New Yorker

Looking to his right, he added: "I'm delighted to see you here tonight, Hillary".

The New York Times

He has found chipper, attentive front-of-house staff who look genuinely delighted to see you.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

"We are really the epicenter of science and technology innovation today". Referring to the children in the audience, she said, "I'm delighted to see all you young people, our future inventors and scientists, our future engineers". The "contraption" took months of brainstorming and weeks of construction.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Walker said: "I'm delighted to see so many of you here this morning, when – who knows? – you could so easily have been out on the golf course having a couple of rounds with Liam Fox".

The Guardian - Business

Were you delighted to see Disney's hand-drawn animators working once again and captivated by the spellbinding storyline?

The Guardian - Film

You're delighted to see me.

The New York Times

Hope you're delighted to see some of your favorites on the list (Sarah Palin seems to be excellent for maintaining weight -- i.e, you bet money on losing/gaining zero pounds).

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "delighted to see you" when you want to express genuine pleasure and warmth, particularly in situations where a simple 'hello' might feel insufficient. Consider the context and relationship with the person you're greeting to gauge the appropriate level of enthusiasm.

Common error

Avoid using "delighted to see you" too frequently in very casual or routine encounters, as it can sound insincere or exaggerated. Save it for moments where you genuinely feel a strong sense of pleasure at seeing the person.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "delighted to see you" serves as an expressive greeting, conveying pleasure and positive emotion upon encountering someone. It functions as an interjection or an opening remark in a conversation. Ludwig confirms its correct usage as a warm greeting.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

19%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "delighted to see you" is a warm and expressive greeting used to convey sincere pleasure upon meeting someone. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and suitable for both formal and informal settings, though it's best reserved for occasions where you genuinely feel a strong sense of happiness. While alternatives like "happy to see you" or "nice to see you" exist, "delighted to see you" adds a touch of enthusiasm and sincerity. It is commonly found in News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Happy to see you

A more general expression of happiness. It's less emphatic than "delighted".

Glad to see you

Similar to "happy to see you", but slightly more formal.

Pleased to see you

A more formal way of expressing happiness at seeing someone.

Great to see you

An enthusiastic and informal way of saying you're happy to see someone.

It's good to see you

A more subdued expression of pleasure, suitable for various situations.

Nice to see you

A common and polite way to greet someone.

So good to see you

Emphasizes the pleasure of seeing someone after a long time or unexpected meeting.

I'm so glad to see you

Highlights personal pleasure and happiness at the encounter.

It warms my heart to see you

Expresses a deeper, more heartfelt emotion upon seeing someone.

What a pleasant surprise to see you

Used when encountering someone unexpectedly and finding it delightful.

FAQs

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

It's appropriate when you want to express genuine pleasure and warmth upon seeing someone, particularly if you haven't seen them in a while or if the meeting is unexpected. Use it in both formal and informal situations where you want to convey strong positive emotion.

What are some alternative ways to say "delighted to see you"?

Alternatives include "happy to see you", "glad to see you", "pleased to see you", or "great to see you". The best choice depends on the level of formality and the intensity of emotion you wish to convey.

Is "delighted to see you" too formal for casual settings?

While it can be perceived as more formal than alternatives like "happy to see you" or "nice to see you", "delighted to see you" can still be used in casual settings if your intention is to express a higher level of enthusiasm and warmth. Just be mindful of your audience and the overall context.

How does "delighted to see you" compare to "nice to see you"?

"Nice to see you" is a standard, polite greeting that is suitable for almost any situation. "Delighted to see you" expresses a stronger sense of pleasure and is best reserved for situations where you genuinely feel delighted.