look forward to

USAGE SUMMARY

"look forward to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express anticipation of something with enthusiasm. For example: I'm looking forward to going on vacation next week.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I look forward to this.

The New York Times

Plenty to look forward to.

The New York Times

I look forward to sweating.

The New York Times - Magazine

Look forward to what's coming".

Independent

We look forward to trial".

The New York Times

"I look forward to it.

The New York Times

I look forward to them".

The New York Times

I look forward to tomorrow.

The New York Times

I look forward to that".

The New York Times - Sports

Something to look forward to.

The New York Times

Look forward to hearing more.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always follow "look forward to" with a noun or gerund (verb ending in -ing). For example, "I look forward to the meeting" or "I look forward to hearing from you."

Common error

Avoid using the base form of a verb directly after "to" in "look forward to". The correct form is the gerund (verb + -ing). Incorrect: "I look forward to meet you". Correct: "I look forward to meeting you".

How to use

Learn how to use "look forward to" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "look forward to" functions as a phrasal verb expressing anticipation or expectation of a future event or interaction. As confirmed by Ludwig, this is a standard and grammatically correct usage. It typically introduces a noun or a gerund.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "look forward to" is a versatile and widely used phrasal verb for expressing positive anticipation, as affirmed by Ludwig. It's grammatically sound when followed by a noun or gerund, making it suitable for professional and informal settings. Its high frequency across News & Media and Formal & Business sources highlights its broad applicability. While alternatives like "eager to" and "can't wait to" exist, "look forward to" provides a clear and friendly way to convey your enthusiasm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

am anticipating with enthusiasm

Directly mentions the enthusiasm involved in the anticipation.

anticipate with pleasure

Emphasizes the positive emotion associated with the expectation.

am keenly anticipating

Adds a sense of keenness or sharp interest.

eagerly anticipate

A more formal way to express anticipation with enthusiasm.

await eagerly

Highlights the eagerness in waiting for something.

expect with anticipation

Focuses on the anticipation of an upcoming event.

await with excitement

Highlights both waiting and the feeling of excitement.

can't wait for

An informal way to express strong eagerness.

contemplate with pleasure

Emphasizes the thoughtfulness and positive feeling towards a future event.

am excited about

Shifts the focus to excitement about a future event.

FAQs

How to use "look forward to" in a sentence?

"Look forward to" is used to express anticipation or excitement about something that will happen in the future. Example: "I "look forward to" seeing you soon."

What can I say instead of "I'm looking forward to"?

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

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

No, the correct usage is "I look forward to meeting you". The phrase "look forward to" requires a gerund (verb ending in -ing) after the "to". You can also rephrase it as "I "anticipate" meeting you" if you prefer to avoid the gerund.

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

"Look forward to" implies a positive anticipation and excitement, while "expect" is more neutral and simply indicates that something is likely to happen. For example, "I "look forward to" the vacation" shows excitement, while "I expect the package to arrive tomorrow" is a statement of anticipation without necessarily implying positive emotion.