Ending a conversation sounds simple—until English grammar steps in and makes you pause. You’ve probably wondered: “It was nice to talk to you” or “It was nice talking to you” — which one is correct?
The short answer is reassuring: both are correct. But that’s not the whole story. Native speakers use each version slightly differently depending on tone, situation, and context. For ESL learners, this small difference can feel surprisingly confusing.
In this complete 2026 guide, you’ll learn:
- Why both phrases are grammatically correct
- The real difference in tone and usage
- Which version sounds more natural in daily English
- Common learner mistakes and how to avoid them
- Polite alternatives you can use with confidence
Everything is explained in simple, conversational English, with real examples you’ll actually hear in everyday life.
Why this question confuses so many English learners
This question confuses learners because English allows more than one correct structure for the same idea. Many languages don’t do this. They prefer one fixed form.
In English, however:
- Verbs can be followed by infinitives (to talk)
- Or gerunds (talking)
- And sometimes both are correct
That flexibility is helpful—but also frustrating.
Learners often ask:
- “Which one is grammatically right?”
- “Which one do native speakers prefer?”
- “Will one sound strange or rude?”
Let’s clear all of that up.
Quick answer: which one is correct?
Both “It was nice to talk to you” and “It was nice talking to you” are grammatically correct.
Native speakers use both naturally, and neither sounds wrong or awkward.
The difference is not about correctness. It’s about:
- Style
- Tone
- How the speaker views the conversation
If you remember this, you’re already ahead of most learners.
Understanding the grammar behind both phrases
To really understand this, we need to look at what comes after the word nice.
In English, adjectives like nice, good, fun, and pleasant can be followed by:
- An infinitive (to + verb)
- Or a gerund (verb + -ing)
Both forms work after certain adjectives.
That’s why English allows:
- It’s nice to meet you.
- It’s nice meeting you.
Same idea. Different structure.
“To talk” vs “talking”: infinitives and gerunds in simple terms
Let’s break this down simply.
Infinitive: to talk
- Focuses on the action as a whole
- Sounds slightly more neutral or formal
- Often used in writing or polite speech
Example:
It was nice to talk to you.
Gerund: talking
- Feels more personal and emotional
- Emphasizes the experience
- Very common in spoken English
Example:
It was nice talking to you.
Neither is better. They just feel a little different.
Are both phrases grammatically correct?
Yes. 100% correct.
There is no grammar rule that makes one wrong.
English grammar allows:
- It was nice + infinitive
- It was nice + gerund
You’ll see this pattern again and again:
- It was great to see you.
- It was great seeing you.
- It’s fun to learn English.
- It’s fun learning English.
All correct.
Is there a difference in meaning or tone?
Yes—but it’s very subtle.
“It was nice to talk to you”
- Sounds slightly more polite
- A bit more structured
- Often used in professional or formal settings
“It was nice talking to you”
- Sounds warmer and more relaxed
- Emphasizes the shared experience
- Extremely common in casual conversations
Native speakers usually don’t think about this difference consciously—but they feel it.
Which phrase do native speakers use more often?
In everyday spoken English, “It was nice talking to you” is more common.
Why?
- It feels natural
- It flows easily
- It sounds friendly and human
However, “It was nice to talk to you” is still very common, especially:
- In emails
- In professional settings
- In polite goodbyes
Both are natural. Context decides.
Formal vs informal usage
Here’s a simple guideline you can trust.
More formal situations
Use:
- It was nice to talk to you
Examples:
- Business calls
- Job interviews
- Professional emails
More casual situations
Use:
- It was nice talking to you
Examples:
- Friends
- Social chats
- Informal messages
This isn’t a strict rule—but it’s a helpful one.
Real-life examples you’ll actually hear
Let’s look at how people really speak.
After a phone call
Thanks for calling. It was nice talking to you.
After a meeting
It was nice to talk to you today. Let’s stay in touch.
After a first conversation
Hey, it was really nice talking to you!
In a follow-up email
It was nice to talk to you earlier. Thank you for your time.
All of these sound completely natural.
Correct vs incorrect sentence comparisons
✅ Correct
- It was nice to talk to you.
- It was nice talking to you.
- It’s always nice to meet new people.
- It’s always nice meeting new people.
❌ Incorrect
- It was nice talk to you.
- It was nice talking with you yesterday.
- It was nice to talking to you.
The mistake usually happens when learners mix the two forms.
Sentence structures you can reuse confidently
Here are safe patterns you can use again and again:
- It was nice to + verb
- It was nice verb + ing
- It’s great to + verb
- It’s great verb + ing
Examples:
- It was great to work with you.
- It was great working with you.
If you stick to these structures, you won’t go wrong.
Common mistakes ESL learners make
These are very common—and easy to fix.
Mixing forms
❌ It was nice to talking to you.
✅ It was nice talking to you.
Overthinking correctness
Learners often worry:
“Which one is more correct?”
The truth is: both are equally correct.
Avoiding gerunds completely
Some learners only use infinitives. That can make speech sound stiff or unnatural.
Balance is key.
Why both sound natural in spoken English
English speakers care more about:
- Clarity
- Tone
- Flow
Not strict grammar rules.
Because both phrases:
- Are grammatically correct
- Express the same idea
- Sound polite and friendly
Native speakers accept both without hesitation.
Situational usage: when to choose each one
Here’s a simple decision guide:
Choose “It was nice talking to you” when:
- You want warmth
- The conversation felt personal
- You’re speaking casually
Choose “It was nice to talk to you” when:
- You’re being professional
- You’re writing an email
- You want a neutral tone
If you choose the “wrong” one, nothing bad will happen. That’s the beauty of English.
Polite endings in conversations and emails
These phrases are often used at the end of conversations.
Examples:
- It was nice talking to you. Have a great day!
- It was nice to talk to you. I appreciate your time.
They signal:
- Politeness
- Closure
- Respect
That’s why they’re so popular.
Similar expressions and close alternatives
English offers many polite ways to say the same thing.
Examples:
- It was great talking to you.
- I enjoyed our conversation.
- It was a pleasure speaking with you.
- I’m glad we had a chance to talk.
All are natural. Choose based on tone.
Synonyms and alternative phrases table
| Phrase | Tone | Common Use |
| It was nice talking to you | Friendly | Casual conversations |
| It was nice to talk to you | Polite | Professional settings |
| It was a pleasure speaking with you | Formal | Business emails |
| I enjoyed talking with you | Warm | Personal chats |
| Great chatting with you | Very casual | Friends |
Idioms and related conversational expressions
While not exact replacements, these expressions often appear nearby:
- Catch up – It was nice catching up with you.
- Have a chat – We had a nice chat.
- Touch base – Used in business English
These add natural variety to your speech.
British vs American English usage
Good news: there’s no major difference here.
Both British and American speakers use:
- It was nice talking to you
- It was nice to talk to you
The choice depends more on personal style than region.
Teaching tip: how to remember the difference
Here’s an easy memory trick:
- “-ing” feels emotional
- “to + verb” feels neutral
That’s not a rule—but it helps many learners choose naturally.
Frequently asked questions about this grammar point
Is “It was nice talking to you” grammatically correct?
Yes. It uses a gerund after the adjective nice, which is a correct and natural English structure commonly used in spoken English.
Is “It was nice to talk to you” more formal?
Slightly, yes. It often sounds more neutral or professional, especially in emails or formal conversations.
Do native speakers care which one you use?
No. Native speakers understand both instantly and don’t consider either one incorrect.
Which one should ESL learners use?
Use whichever feels more comfortable. If unsure, both are safe and polite in any situation.
Can I use these phrases in writing?
Yes. Both appear in emails, messages, and even formal writing without any issue.
Final thoughts: which should you use in 2026?
Here’s the honest answer: use the one that feels natural to you.
English isn’t about choosing the “one perfect sentence.” It’s about communicating clearly and politely. Both phrases do that beautifully.
So next time you finish a conversation, smile and say:
- “It was nice talking to you.”
Or: - “It was nice to talk to you.”
Either way, you’re speaking correct, natural English.
Thomas Hardy is a passionate innovator and thoughtful leader, dedicated to transforming ideas into lasting success. With creativity and purpose, he brings vision and authenticity to everything he does.
