Looked forward to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Looked forward to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express anticipation or excitement about a future event or situation. Example: "I looked forward to the weekend all week long."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We looked forward to going back.

The New York Times

Still, she looked forward to casting "Ghostbusters".

The New Yorker

She looked forward to refusing him.

The New Yorker

Still, Miranda looked forward to Sundays.

The New Yorker

"My family looked forward to it.

The New York Times

Aresco looked forward to a temporary break.

The New York Times - Sports

We always looked forward to visits.

Independent

She looked forward to updating the interior.

The New York Times

She looked forward to the future.

The New Yorker

"I looked forward to terminating.

The Washington Post

He looked forward to it".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing anticipation for a future event, use "looked forward to" to convey a sense of pleasure and positive expectation. For example, "I looked forward to the conference all year."

Common error

Ensure the verb tense is consistent. Avoid mixing past and present tenses when using "looked forward to". Instead of saying "I looked forward to go", use the correct form: "I "looked forward to going"".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looked forward to" functions as a verb phrase expressing anticipation or positive expectation regarding a future event or situation. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in various contexts, emphasizing the act of anticipating something with pleasure. The usage is confirmed as grammatically correct by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "looked forward to" is a grammatically correct and highly versatile verb phrase used to express anticipation and positive expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is widespread across various contexts, particularly in news and media, academia, and science. When using the phrase, ensure that it is followed by a noun or gerund (verb ending in -ing) to maintain grammatical accuracy. While "looked forward to" is suitable for a wide range of communication styles, its neutral register makes it appropriate for both professional and personal use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Couldn't wait for

Expresses impatience and eagerness, conveying a more immediate sense of anticipation.

Awaited with anticipation

Similar in meaning but adds a layer of formality and intensity compared to "looked forward to".

Eagerly awaited

Highlights the eagerness and impatience associated with the wait, differing from the simple anticipation in "looked forward to".

Was excited about

Focuses directly on the feeling of excitement, simplifying the expression of anticipation.

Expected with excitement

Highlights the feeling of excitement associated with the expectation, differing slightly in emphasis.

Anticipated with pleasure

Emphasizes the enjoyment expected from the anticipated event, shifting focus from the act of looking forward to the feeling itself.

Anticipated keenly

Adds emphasis to the anticipation, suggesting a strong and focused interest.

Longed for

Indicates a strong desire and yearning, adding an emotional depth not necessarily present in "looked forward to".

Counted the days until

Conveys a sense of marking time and anticipation, adding a temporal dimension not present in "looked forward to".

Waited with bated breath

Implies heightened excitement and suspense, suggesting a more dramatic level of anticipation than "looked forward to".

FAQs

How do I properly use "looked forward to" in a sentence?

The phrase "looked forward to" is typically followed by a noun or a gerund (verb ending in -ing). For example, "I looked forward to the meeting" or "I looked forward to hearing from you".

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

You can use alternatives like "eagerly awaited", "anticipated with pleasure", or "couldn't wait for" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I look forward to see you"?

No, the correct phrase is "I "look forward to seeing you"". The phrase "look forward to" should be followed by a gerund (verb ending in -ing).

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

"Look forward to" is used in general statements about anticipating something, while "looking forward to" is used when referring to a specific event in the future. For example, "I look forward to holidays" (general) vs. "I am looking forward to my holiday next week" (specific).