Look forward to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "look forward to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are expressing anticipation for something. For example, "I am looking forward to the start of the new school year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Look forward to what's coming".

Independent

Look forward to hearing more.

The New York Times

Look forward to the next one.

The New Yorker

Look forward to welcoming them on MOTD".

BBC

Look forward to it!

Huffington Post

Look forward to failure.

WikiHow

I look forward to this.

The New York Times

Plenty to look forward to.

The New York Times

I look forward to sweating.

The New York Times - Magazine

We look forward to trial".

The New York Times

"I look forward to it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always follow "look forward to" with a noun or gerund (verb ending in -ing). For example, "I look forward to the meeting" or "I look forward to hearing from you".

Common error

Avoid using the base form of the verb after "to" in "look forward to". Instead of "I look forward to meet you", use "I look forward to meeting you".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "look forward to" functions as a verb phrase expressing anticipation or expectation with a positive connotation. It signifies that the speaker is eagerly awaiting a future event or interaction. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is appropriate for expressing anticipation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Formal & Business

16%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

19%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "look forward to" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to express anticipation or positive expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad applicability. It is most frequently encountered in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. When using the phrase, remember to follow it with a noun or gerund. For alternatives, consider "anticipate with pleasure" or "await eagerly". By understanding its grammatical function, communicative purpose, and common usage patterns, you can confidently and effectively use "look forward to" in your writing and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anticipate with pleasure

Focuses on the positive emotional expectation.

await eagerly

Highlights the eagerness in waiting.

expect with anticipation

Emphasizes the expectation and excitement.

can't wait for

An informal expression of high anticipation.

eagerly anticipate

Combines eagerness and anticipation.

await with excitement

Highlights the excitement in waiting.

be excited about

Expresses excitement directly.

feel thrilled about

Expresses a feeling of thrill.

relish the prospect of

Emphasizes enjoyment and anticipation of something in future.

count the days until

An expression referring to waiting with impatience and excitement.

FAQs

How to use "look forward to" in a sentence?

Use "look forward to" to express anticipation or excitement about something that will happen in the future. For instance, "I "look forward to seeing you"" or "We "look forward to the meeting"".

What can I say instead of "look forward to"?

You can use alternatives like "anticipate", "eager for", or "can't wait for" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "looking forward to see you"?

No, the correct form is "looking forward to seeing you". After "to" in "look forward to", use the gerund (verb + -ing) form.

What's the difference between "look forward to" and "expect"?

"Look forward to" implies a sense of pleasure or excitement, while "expect" simply means to anticipate that something will happen. For example, you might "look forward to" a vacation, but you would "expect" to pay your bills.