keenly looking forward

USAGE SUMMARY

"keenly looking forward" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe someone's enthusiastic anticipation of an event or action. For example, "I am keenly looking forward to our vacation next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Rather improbably, he insists that he is keenly looking forward to hearing the views of the representatives of "civil society"—trade unionists, youth groups and the like who will address the assembly next week.

The Economist

She said she was keenly looking forward to hosting the Met's live HD broadcast of Tchaikovsky's "Eugene Onegin" on Saturday afternoon, which will be carried to movie theaters in 64 countries.

The New York Times - Arts

Like a trainspotter waiting on the platform for the Flying Scotsman, I've been keenly looking forward to Sir Richard Eyre's revival of Georges Feydeau's A Flea in Her Ear at the Old Vic.

The Guardian

With colleagues at the Open University, where he headed the Department of Physical Sciences until 2005, he was keenly looking forward to this year's Rosetta mission.

BBC

I, for one, will be keenly looking forward to it from my trash-strewn capsule.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

I keenly look forward to seeing you.

The Guardian

So imagine, if you will, how keenly he must be looking forward to the prospect of a pre-arranged appointment to meet me, a journalist.

The Guardian - Books

"Always be looking forward".

The New York Times - Books

We're looking forward.

The New York Times - Sports

He is looking forward.

The New York Times

We are looking forward.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keenly looking forward" when you want to express a strong sense of enthusiasm and anticipation, especially in formal or semi-formal contexts. It's suitable for expressing eagerness about upcoming events, meetings, or opportunities.

Common error

Avoid using "keenly looking forward" in very casual conversations. Simpler phrases like "looking forward to" or "excited about" are often more appropriate for informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keenly looking forward" functions as an adverbial modifier combined with a verb phrase, expressing a heightened state of anticipation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates a strong, enthusiastic expectation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keenly looking forward" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that expresses a strong sense of anticipation and enthusiasm. According to Ludwig AI, it is generally appropriate for neutral to formal contexts, conveying a genuine eagerness for upcoming events. While less common than simpler alternatives like "looking forward to", it adds a layer of intensity to the expression. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources. Remember to consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing when deciding whether to use this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

looking forward with anticipation

Rephrases to explicitly include anticipation.

eagerly anticipating

Focuses on the anticipation aspect with a sense of eagerness.

greatly anticipating

Emphasizes the degree of anticipation.

awaiting with enthusiasm

Stresses the enthusiastic nature of waiting.

excitedly awaiting

Highlights the excitement associated with waiting.

intensely anticipating

Stresses a high degree of anticipation or excitement.

highly expectant

Highlights the feeling of expectation.

counting down the days

Emphasizes the passage of time until the anticipated event.

anxiously awaiting

Implies a sense of anxiety or nervousness in addition to anticipation.

with bated breath

Creates a more dramatic and figurative expression of anticipation.

FAQs

What does "keenly looking forward" mean?

It means to anticipate something with enthusiasm and eagerness. It expresses a strong positive expectation for an upcoming event or experience.

What can I say instead of "keenly looking forward"?

You can use alternatives like "eagerly anticipating", "greatly anticipating", or "excitedly awaiting" depending on the context.

How formal is the phrase "keenly looking forward"?

It's generally considered a more formal way to express anticipation compared to phrases like "looking forward to" or "can't wait".

Is it correct to say "keenly look forward"?

While grammatically understandable, "keenly look forward" is less common than "keenly looking forward". The latter emphasizes the ongoing state of anticipation.