look forwards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "look forwards" is correct and usable in written English, although "look forward" is more commonly used.
You can use it when expressing anticipation or excitement about a future event or situation. Example: "I look forwards to our meeting next week to discuss the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Independent

BBC

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

But in life you can't look forwards.

Independent

Does the play prompt us to look forwards or backwards?

The Guardian - Books

Everybody did so with a obvious will to look forwards.

The Guardian - Sport

They are always inspiring as you need to glance backwards in order to look forwards.

Independent

Arsenal tried to look forwards and they had half-chances in the first half.

The Guardian - Sport

"We all love being a part of the competition and will just look forwards to the next round".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

I look forward….

The New Yorker

You just look forward.

The New York Times - Sports

"We just look forward".

The New York Times - Sports

I look forward again.

Independent

"Filmmakers look forward".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "look forwards", ensure the context clearly indicates anticipation or planning for future events. Although less common than "look forward", it is grammatically sound and can add variety to your writing.

Common error

Many writers mistakenly believe "look forwards" is always incorrect. Understand that while "look forward" is more prevalent, "look forwards" is also acceptable. Ensure your choice aligns with the intended nuance and context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "look forwards" functions as a phrasal verb, typically used to express anticipation or a forward-thinking perspective. It is employed to convey a sense of excitement or positive expectation about future events or developments. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, although "look forward" is more common.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Independent

16%

BBC

12%

Less common in

Science

6%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "look forwards" is a grammatically sound phrasal verb used to express anticipation and a positive outlook on future events. While less common than "look forward", Ludwig confirms that it is acceptable. It's found frequently in news and media contexts. When considering related phrases, options like "anticipate" or "look ahead" can serve as effective alternatives. Remember that while using "look forwards" is correct, ""look forward"" is more common.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

look ahead

Emphasizes planning and considering future possibilities.

anticipate

Implies expecting something with a degree of readiness or excitement.

expect

Focuses on believing something will happen.

await

Suggests waiting for something, often with eagerness.

plan for the future

Highlights the active process of making arrangements for what is to come.

be optimistic about

Implies a confident expectation of good things to come.

project into the future

Involves forecasting or predicting future events.

count on

Suggests relying on something to happen in the future.

have a positive outlook

Focuses on maintaining a hopeful perspective about future events.

foresee

Highlights the ability to predict or anticipate events.

FAQs

What is the difference between "look forwards" and "look forward"?

While both phrases express anticipation, "look forward" is more commonly used. "Look forwards" is grammatically correct but less frequent, so consider your audience and context when choosing between the two. If you want to be more generic you can use the "look forward" version.

Is "look forwards to" grammatically correct?

Yes, "look forwards to" is grammatically correct, although less common than "look forward to". Both phrases express anticipation of something, but "look forward to" is the more widely accepted and frequently used option. In general, if you are not sure, use "look forward to".

What can I say instead of "look forwards"?

You can use alternatives like "anticipate", "expect", or "await" depending on the context. "Look ahead" is also a valid alternative.

How to use "look forwards" in a sentence?

You can use "look forwards" in sentences expressing anticipation or planning for the future, such as "We look forwards to an orderly transition" or "They look forwards to the next round". Remember that in these cases the phrase "look forward to" is valid too.