English UsageGrammar guide

Nice To: Standard Pattern

Nice To: Standard Pattern records a directly documented English construction and keeps guidance bounded to the evidenced pattern rather than turning one attested complement into a universal prohibition.

Quick answer

Use “nice to” when describing kind, friendly, or polite behavior directed toward a person.

Key details

Confusion Familyusage-construction
Rule Familyadjective or complement construction
Termsnice to

Further guidance

Construction

Use “nice to” when describing kind, friendly, or polite behavior directed toward a person.

Style Boundary

“Nice” also appears in other constructions such as “nice of” and “nice to” plus an infinitive; this page covers only the person-directed complement.

Sources and evidence

Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.

  1. NICE | English meaning — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Direct Cambridge dictionary evidence for “nice to” when describing kind, friendly, or polite behavior toward a person.

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