are looking forward to

USAGE SUMMARY

"are looking forward to" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is a phrase that expresses anticipation or excitement for something in the future. It can be used in various situations and contexts, such as: 1. I am looking forward to our vacation next month. 2. The children are looking forward to Christmas morning. 3. The team is looking forward to the championship game next week. 4. We are looking forward to meeting our new neighbors. 5. Martha is looking forward to starting her new job. 6. The students are looking forward to their summer break. 7. We are all looking forward to the concert next weekend. 8. The couple is looking forward to their wedding day. 9. The team members are looking forward to receiving their awards. 10. I am looking forward to trying out the new restaurant in town.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The boys are looking forward to Anzhi.

Independent

We are looking forward to an appeal.

The New York Times

And they are looking forward to playing".

The New York Times - Sports

We are looking forward to that day".

The Guardian - Sport

We are looking forward to the game.

The Guardian - Sport

"[The band] are looking forward to it.

The Guardian - Music

We are looking forward to the challenge.

The Guardian - Sport

"We are looking forward to talking with them about that".

The New York Times

"We are looking forward to it," Bryant said.

The New York Times - Sports

We are looking forward to trying to change that".

Independent

But some economists are looking forward to its disappearance.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are looking forward to" to convey genuine enthusiasm and anticipation. It's suitable for both professional and casual communication, adding a positive tone to your message.

Common error

Avoid using "that" after "looking forward to". It should be followed directly by a noun or gerund (verb + -ing). For example, say "We are looking forward to the meeting" not "We are looking forward to that we will meet".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are looking forward to" functions as a verbal phrase expressing anticipation or expectation of a future event or experience. According to Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used in written English, indicating its established role in expressing future intent with positive connotation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are looking forward to" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression to convey anticipation and excitement about a future event or activity. According to Ludwig, it is widely accepted in written English. It's suitable for various contexts, from formal communications to casual conversations. Be sure to follow it with a noun or gerund (-ing form of a verb). Common alternatives include "anticipate", "can't wait", and "excited about", each carrying slightly different nuances. This phrase, found frequently in News & Media sources, is a versatile and reliable way to express positive expectations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can't wait

Expresses excitement and impatience for something to happen; more informal and emphasizes eagerness more strongly than "are looking forward to".

eagerly await

Combines eagerness with the act of waiting, intensifying the anticipation. More formal than "are looking forward to".

excited about

Highlights the emotional aspect of anticipation, focusing on enthusiasm and pleasure, differs by focusing on the emotion.

anticipate

Emphasizes expectation and prediction about a future event, differing from "are looking forward to" by focusing more on intellectual anticipation.

await with anticipation

Emphasizes both the waiting and the expectation, heightening the sense of excitement and eagerness, differs by using a longer form.

keen on

Shows enthusiasm and interest, similar in tone but less formal than "are looking forward to".

await

Implies waiting with eagerness or expectation; it's more formal than "are looking forward to" and suggests a sense of formality.

relish

Suggests savoring the thought of something in advance, adding a sense of enjoyment and appreciation for the prospect.

expect with pleasure

Emphasizes positive anticipation and enjoyment, focusing on the pleasurable aspect of the expected event.

foresee with pleasure

Combines anticipation with a sense of prediction and enjoyment, focusing on the positive aspects of what is expected.

FAQs

How can I use "are looking forward to" in a sentence?

This phrase expresses anticipation for a future event. For example, you can say, "We are looking forward to the conference", "I am looking forward to seeing you", or "They are looking forward to the holidays".

What can I say instead of "are looking forward to"?

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

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

No, the correct phrase is "looking forward to seeing you". "Looking forward to" is followed by a gerund (verb + -ing), not the base form of the verb. Alternatively, you can say "I anticipate seeing you".

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

"Are looking forward to" implies positive anticipation and excitement, while "are expecting" simply means anticipating that something will happen, without necessarily implying enthusiasm. For example, "We are looking forward to the party" suggests excitement, while "We are expecting a delivery" is neutral.