look forward to playing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "look forward to playing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing anticipation or excitement about an upcoming event or activity, particularly in a casual or friendly context. Example: "I look forward to playing soccer with you this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I look forward to playing alongside him".

The New York Times

I always look forward to playing her.

The New York Times - Sports

I look forward to playing this game.

The New York Times - Sports

I look forward to playing against you in the future.

The Guardian - Sport

"I always look forward to playing against Strahan," Clement said.

The New York Times - Sports

"This year everybody's going to look forward to playing us".

The New York Times - Sports

I think the guys here look forward to playing and performing.

The New York Times

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

The New York Times - Arts

"If players look forward to playing you, then they forget they're in someone else's home ground.

Independent

"Now, we gotta look forward to playing for the Yankees championship".

The New York Times

Meanwhile, Schiavone can enjoy the memory and look forward to playing more matches.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "look forward to playing" to express genuine anticipation or excitement about an upcoming game, match, or activity. It adds a positive tone to your communication.

Common error

Avoid using "look forward to playing" in situations where a more direct or assertive tone is required. In certain formal or business contexts, a simpler statement like "I will play" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "look forward to playing" functions as a verb phrase expressing anticipation or expectation. This is evident in the numerous examples provided by Ludwig, which showcase its usage in various contexts. Ludwig AI states that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "look forward to playing" is a grammatically correct and highly versatile expression used to convey anticipation and excitement about future events. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is widespread across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and business communications. The phrase exhibits a neutral to professional register, making it suitable for a broad range of writing styles. To enhance clarity or tone, alternatives such as "anticipate playing" or "eager to play" can be considered. Remember to use "look forward to playing" when aiming to create a positive and forward-looking impression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anticipate playing

Replaces "look forward to" with a more direct synonym, emphasizing the anticipation of playing.

eager to play

Uses "eager" to convey strong enthusiasm and eagerness for the act of playing.

can't wait to play

Expresses impatience and excitement, indicating a strong desire to play soon.

excited about playing

Highlights the excitement associated with the prospect of playing.

await the opportunity to play

Formal and emphasizes the anticipation of having the chance to play.

relish playing

Indicates a strong enjoyment and anticipation of the playing experience.

enthusiastic about playing

Uses "enthusiastic" to convey a high level of positive feeling about playing.

keen on playing

Similar to "eager", showing a strong interest and desire to play.

amped to play

Informal and energetic, suggesting a high level of excitement.

yearn to play

Expresses a deep longing and desire to engage in playing.

FAQs

How can I use "look forward to playing" in a sentence?

You can use "look forward to playing" to express anticipation for a future event, such as "I "look forward to playing" against you in the tournament next week."

What are some alternatives to "look forward to playing"?

You can use alternatives like "anticipate playing", "eager to play", or "excited about playing" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "looking forward to play" instead of "look forward to playing"?

No, "looking forward to play" is grammatically incorrect. The correct usage is ""look forward to playing"" because the preposition "to" is followed by a gerund (playing).

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

"Look forward to playing" is generally used in formal contexts, while "looking forward to playing" is less formal. The present continuous emphasizes the current state of anticipation. For example, "I am "looking forward to playing"."