exactly looking forward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exactly looking forward" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express anticipation or eagerness about something specific, but the wording is awkward and unclear. Example: "I am exactly looking forward to the event next week" does not sound natural.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It's not as if we're exactly looking forward to what is about to be set before us, I'd say.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mum told me it was quite old-fashioned and all my friends told me it was very long and I'd get really bored, so I wasn't exactly looking forward to it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Trump holds baby cousins in Colorado (29 July) Stacie Scott/AP I'm not a huge supporter of Trump's, so when I was sent to cover his campaign rally at a college in Colorado Springs I wasn't exactly looking forward to listening to him speak.

The Guardian - Arts

Is that what I've been worried about'?" I wasn't exactly looking forward to trekking to a Cambridgeshire prison on a sunny day.

BBC

I'm not exactly looking forward to an expensive audit of our curriculum, or a certification process for our 300 professional software engineering mentors.

TechCrunch

I was not exactly looking forward to this CD.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

You just look forward.

The New York Times - Sports

"We just look forward".

The New York Times - Sports

So what exactly is West looking forward to in Season 3? "It's hard to say what I'm really excited for because it's pretty much the ending of Season 2 and it would give away too much," West said.

Huffington Post

"A replay is not exactly what I am looking forward to with the two Chelsea games in mind and league games," Laudrup added.

BBC

After being dealt Friday in a three-player trade, Finley said he was looking forward to exactly what he got yesterday: a lot of runs.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "exactly looking forward" in formal writing or speech. Opt for clearer and more grammatically correct alternatives like "really looking forward to" or "eagerly anticipating".

Common error

Don't use "exactly" to directly modify "looking forward". While "exactly" can emphasize precision, it doesn't fit the idiomatic expression of anticipating something. Prefer adverbs like "really", "greatly", or "eagerly".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exactly looking forward" is grammatically questionable and not idiomatic. It attempts to express anticipation but fails to do so effectively due to the unusual adverb choice. Ludwig AI confirms its unnaturalness in common English usage.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "exactly looking forward" is grammatically incorrect and not idiomatic in English. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that the phrasing is awkward and does not effectively convey anticipation or excitement. It's best to avoid using this phrase and opt for more common and grammatically correct alternatives such as "really looking forward to", "eagerly anticipating", or "greatly anticipating". These alternatives will ensure clarity and naturalness in your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

really looking forward to

Emphasizes the intensity of anticipation more clearly.

eagerly anticipating

A more formal way to express strong anticipation.

greatly anticipating

Similar to 'eagerly anticipating', but slightly less formal.

keenly awaiting

Highlights the act of waiting with a sense of enthusiasm.

anticipating with pleasure

Directly expresses the positive emotions associated with the anticipation.

excitedly awaiting

Focuses on the excitement related to waiting.

thrilled about

Emphasizes a feeling of thrill and excitement.

looking forward with anticipation

More explicitly includes the element of anticipation.

awaiting with eagerness

Focuses on the eagerness with which someone is waiting.

anticipating with excitement

Highlights the excitement associated with anticipation.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "exactly looking forward to"?

Since "exactly looking forward to" is not grammatically correct, consider using alternatives such as "really looking forward to", "eagerly anticipating", or "greatly anticipating" depending on the context.

Why is "exactly looking forward to" considered grammatically incorrect?

The adverb "exactly" doesn't naturally modify the phrase "looking forward to". "Exactly" implies precision, which doesn't align with the expression of anticipation or excitement. Other adverbs like "really", "very", or "eagerly" are more suitable.

How can I properly express strong anticipation for something?

To express strong anticipation, you can use phrases like "I am really looking forward to", "I can't wait for", or "I am eagerly anticipating". These options are more natural and grammatically sound.

Is there a situation where "exactly" can be used with "looking forward"?

While not idiomatic, you might use "exactly" in a context where you are clarifying what you are looking forward to, for example, "I am looking forward to exactly what you described, no more and no less" but in this case the meaning is different.