nice to see

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nice to see" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as a friendly expression to convey pleasure at encountering someone or something again. Example: "It was nice to see you at the conference last week; I enjoyed our conversation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Anyway, nice to see.

The New York Times

"Nice to see ya".

The New York Times

Nice to see you.

The New York Times

"Nice to see you again".

The New York Times

"That was nice to see".

The New York Times - Sports

Very nice to see you.

The New York Times

"It was nice to see.

Independent

"Nice to see you all.

The New Yorker

"And it's nice to see.

The New York Times - Sports

Nice to see you, "Community".

The New Yorker

Nice to see you, too, Fergie.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nice to see" to warmly acknowledge someone you know or are meeting again. It sets a friendly and approachable tone.

Common error

While "nice to see" is generally acceptable, in highly formal or professional contexts, consider alternatives like "it's a pleasure to see you" to maintain a more elevated level of formality.

Linguistic Context

"Nice to see" functions as an interjection or a conventional expression of greeting. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It conveys pleasure upon encountering someone or something, making it a polite and friendly social formula.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "nice to see" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey pleasure upon meeting someone. According to Ludwig AI, its frequent appearance in diverse sources, particularly news and media outlets, confirms its widespread acceptance. While suitable for most everyday interactions, it's beneficial to consider formality levels, opting for alternatives like "it's a pleasure to see you" in professional environments. Understanding its proper context ensures effective and appropriate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

good to see you again

Similar in meaning, but explicitly mentions a repeated encounter.

great to see you

A common and slightly more casual alternative.

so glad to see you

Expresses joy at the encounter.

wonderful to see you

Similar to "delighted", conveys a strong positive emotion.

pleased to meet again

More formal and emphasizes a previous acquaintance.

it's a pleasure to see you

More formal and courteous.

delighted to see you

More emphatic and expresses a higher degree of pleasure.

how lovely to see you

More effusive and often used in British English.

happy to run into you

Implies a chance encounter, less formal.

what a pleasant surprise to see you

Highlights the unexpected nature of the meeting.

FAQs

How can I use "nice to see" in a sentence?

"Nice to see" is commonly used at the beginning of a conversation to express pleasure at meeting someone. For example, "Nice to see you, John. How have you been?"

What is a more formal alternative to "nice to see"?

In formal situations, consider using phrases like "it's a pleasure to see you" or "I'm delighted to see you". These options are more appropriate in professional environments.

Is it correct to say "nice to see you again"?

Yes, "nice to see you again" is perfectly correct and used when you have met the person before. It emphasizes that this is a repeated encounter.

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

"Nice to meet you" is used when meeting someone for the first time, while "nice to see you" is used when you have met the person before.