Nice meeting you vs nice to meet you

[bercam]

Is there any difference in conversation between the expressions nice to meet you and nice meeting you , like for instance one of them being more appropiate for the moment you first introduce yourself and the other for when you say goodbye after meeting somebody?
Thank you for your help in advance

[Casiopea]

Welcome, bercam.

Present participles (e.g., meeting) express that an action is taking place - that it's been actualized, whereas infinitives (e.g., to meet) express that an action hasn't happened yet - it's unactualized. That's why "to meet" is used as a greeting and "meeting" as a farewell,

[1] Nice to meet you. <introduction>
[2] Nice meeting you. <closing>

Hope that helps.

[bercam]

Thank you very much for your quick and excellent help

[Casiopea]

You're most welcome.

[BobK]

Originally Posted by Casiopea

Welcome, bercam.
Present participles (e.g., meeting) express that an action is taking place - that it's been actualized, whereas infinitives (e.g., to meet) express that an action hasn't happened yet - it's unactualized. That's why "to meet" is used as a greeting and "meeting" as a farewell,
[1] Nice to meet you. <introduction>
[2] Nice meeting you. <closing>
Hope that helps.

A similar distinction continues to apply after the meeting - even though you might think that, as the meeting has actually taken place, the gerund would always be more appropriate.

In an email after the meeting you could say either
1 It was great to meet you
or
2 It was great meeting you

1 suggests an emphasis on the length of dealing with them by mail and not meeting face-to-face: 'It was great to meet you at last.'
2 puts the emphasis on the actual meeting: 'It was great meeting you and discussing the photos.' The emphasis again is on actuality.

b

[Tdol]

http://www.usingenglish.com/poll/668.html

[saiashok]

If someone say this to me, what should I say them back? Reply for "Nice to meet you".

Thanks
Sai

[dipizz]

Originally Posted by saiashok

If someone say this to me, what should I say them back? Reply for "Nice to meet you".

Thanks
Sai

I'd say "Me too".

That's because I think it's such a "formal greeting", not a "real feeling of having met someone you like". Therefore when somebody tells you "Nice to meet you", you wouldn't definetely say anything which could seem negative in the same way as a reply.