but looking forward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but looking forward" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express anticipation or optimism about future events or outcomes, often following a statement about the present or past. Example: "I appreciate your feedback on my project, but looking forward, I hope to implement your suggestions in the next phase."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

— sukumar ranganathan (@mint_ed) 4 Apr 13 I'm sure even Rahul Gandhi's biggest critic won't deny that his CII speech presented a refreshing vision for Indian industry & politics — Milind Deora (@milinddeora) 4 Apr 13 Well intentioned speech BUT looking forward to specifics.

The New York Times

Was good though, but looking forward to Sunday's episode.

Independent

But looking forward there could be one silver lining.

The New York Times

"Not prepared, but looking forward to it," she replied delicately.

The New Yorker

"I am now closing this chapter but looking forward to new challenges in the future.

Independent

But looking forward, we do understand that some additional resources would be appreciated".

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

That is side on but looking forwards.

WikiHow

It's time to do nothing but look forward".

The Guardian - Film

I can't help but look forward to playing whatever he makes next.

The New York Times - Arts

He said his message for Sept. 11 would be to remember, but look forward.

The New York Times

But look forward instead of back and the picture is very different.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but looking forward" to smoothly transition from acknowledging a current situation or past event to expressing optimism or anticipation about the future. It's particularly effective when you want to convey resilience or a proactive mindset.

Common error

Avoid using "but looking forward" as a mere space-filler without a genuine connection to the preceding statement. Ensure it logically follows and adds meaningful context to the discussion.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "but looking forward" is to act as a conjunctive phrase that transitions from a previous statement to an anticipation or expectation regarding the future. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is frequently used to introduce a shift in perspective. See the examples provided, confirming its role in connecting past/present situations with future outlooks.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

9%

Science

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Social Media

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but looking forward" serves as a versatile phrase for transitioning to a future-oriented perspective. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and frequent usage, especially in News & Media. Alternatives such as "however anticipating the future" offer stylistic variations, while awareness of potential overuse helps maintain clarity. When writing, remember to use "but looking forward" to naturally guide readers from a current state to future anticipation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

still anticipating things to come

Maintains the anticipation while simplifying the structure.

while expecting the future

Emphasizes expectation alongside a preceding context.

but with an eye toward tomorrow

Uses a more idiomatic expression for future orientation.

however anticipating the future

Emphasizes anticipation with a formal tone.

in contrast expecting future events

Similar to above, more explicit about 'future events'.

though anticipating the times ahead

Uses 'the times ahead' to convey a sense of the future.

nonetheless envisioning what's ahead

Focuses on envisioning the future with a touch of formality.

even so envisioning the future

Highlights envisioning the future despite previous context.

yet with future expectations

Highlights future expectations as a contrasting element.

conversely with a future focus

Highlights the contrasting future focus.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "but looking forward" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "however, anticipating the future", "nonetheless, envisioning what's ahead", or "conversely, with a future focus".

What's the difference between "but looking forward" and "but looking ahead"?

The phrases are very similar. "But looking ahead" might imply a more immediate or short-term perspective, while "but looking forward" can encompass a broader, more long-term view. They are often interchangeable, though context can subtly influence the best choice. You can also consider "but continuing forward" as a similar option.

Is it always necessary to include "but" before "looking forward"?

While "but" indicates a contrast or transition, it's not always mandatory. You can sometimes start a sentence with "Looking forward" if the context clearly implies a shift in perspective or anticipation, however "just looking forward" could be a better option in that scenario.

Can "but looking forward" be used in negative contexts?

Yes, but sparingly. While typically used to express optimism, it can also acknowledge challenges while maintaining a forward-thinking perspective. For example, "We faced setbacks, but looking forward, we're focused on implementing new strategies."