be nice to

Meaning

This phrase means to treat someone with kindness, politeness, and respect. It is a very common, friendly command or description of behavior in everyday social interactions.

Examples

• You should always be nice to your classmates, even if you aren't close friends.

  You should always be nice to your classmates, even if you aren't close friends.

• Our new neighbor is very nice to everyone on the street.

  Our new neighbor is very nice to everyone on the street.

• My parents taught me to be nice to animals.

  My parents taught me to be nice to animals.

• Please be nice to your little sister while I am out.

  Please be nice to your little sister while I am out.

• He is trying to be nice to his boss because he wants a promotion.

  He is trying to be nice to his boss because he wants a promotion.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ She is always very nice with me.

  ✓ She is always very nice to me.

  Use the preposition 'to' (not 'with') after 'nice' when referring to the person you are treating well.

• ✗ Be nice for your teacher.

  ✓ Be nice to your teacher.

  'Nice for' means something is pleasant or beneficial for someone, whereas 'nice to' means behaving kindly toward them.

Related Expressions

Practice

• It costs nothing to ___ people you meet every day.

  💡 Treat people with kindness.

  Show answer

  be nice to

• You must ___ the new student so she feels welcome.

  💡 Treat kindly.

  Show answer

  be nice to