Talking to someone is nice. or "It is nice to talk to someone." but "It was nice, talking to you." Why?

Question

General statement: a. Talking to someone is nice. (verb as subject in front position = gerund) or b. It is nice to talk to someone. (verb as subject after dummy subject 'it' = full infinitive) Specific situation: It was nice, talking to you? (**Why?** Is it a mix of a. and b.?)

Answer 1

The most satisfying part of tutoring for me is keying into my student's concerns and motivations. None of us want to feel like we have been left stranded on a desert island of confusion or misdirection. Each of us deserves the chance to find our way through the maze of learning. I know I was helped by wonderfully generous and gifted teachers who keyed into my needs to help me find my way. I find it very rewarding to do the same for others and, in the process, keep the cycle of sharing and learning moving forward.

Answer 2

Both a) and b) are grammatically correct general statements made about talking with anyone. "It was nice talking to you" (no comma necessary after 'nice') is a direct personal statement made to somebody after you have had a pleasant conversation with them.

Side note: "It would be nice to talk to someone" is worded in future tense, stating that you are interested in- and/or need to talk to somebody about something important.

Answer 3

Actually, the third sentence is incorrect. There should not be a comma. And, FYI, I'd try to avoid the word "nice" in your own writing. It's a weak word because it's vague. In truth, we usually use the word "nice" when we are ambivalent.