looking ahead to

USAGE SUMMARY

"looking ahead to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to introduce ideas about the future, indicating a vision or plan for what lies ahead. For example, "Looking ahead to 2021, our team is committed to continuing to provide quality service to our customers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But looking ahead to 2050 poses challenges.

The New York Times

Mr Baldizón, however, will already be looking ahead to 2015.

The Economist

And now, he's looking ahead to the future.

Independent

For weeks he had been looking ahead to this fixture.

The Guardian - Sport

He is already looking ahead to the 2004 Athens Games.

The New York Times - Sports

The company is now looking ahead to the new iPad.

The Guardian - Tech

They might be looking ahead to the Olympics with dread.

The Guardian - Sport

Broadway habitués are looking ahead to a bustling spring.

The Guardian

"With these shows, we're looking ahead to the next 400".

The New York Times

"I'm looking ahead to Game 3," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

But they are not looking ahead to the Travers Stakes.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looking ahead to" to introduce future plans, expectations, or analyses. It effectively sets the stage for discussing upcoming events or periods.

Common error

While versatile, "looking ahead to" might sound overly formal in casual conversations. Opt for simpler phrases like "thinking about" or "excited for" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looking ahead to" functions as a prepositional phrase used to introduce a topic related to future expectations, plans, or considerations. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "looking ahead to" serves as a versatile phrase for introducing discussions about future plans and expectations. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in numerous contexts, particularly in news, science, and business domains. While generally neutral in tone, avoid overuse in very casual settings. Remember to use it to effectively transition to topics concerning future events or strategic considerations. Always use similar phrases with a clear context such as "anticipating", "planning for", or "preparing for" to enhance expressiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considering the future

Directly references contemplating what is to come.

planning for

Emphasizes the preparatory actions taken for a future event.

preparing for

Highlights readiness and making arrangements.

anticipating

Focuses on expecting or predicting something.

expecting

Simple expression of anticipating an event.

with an eye toward

Indicates a focus or consideration of a specific future outcome.

projecting towards

Suggests a forward-looking estimation or forecast.

contemplating

Suggests thinking deeply about the future.

envisaging

Implies imagining or visualizing a future scenario.

forecasting

Focuses on predicting future events or trends.

FAQs

How can I use "looking ahead to" in a sentence?

Use "looking ahead to" to introduce future plans, expectations, or analyses. For instance, "Looking ahead to the next quarter, we anticipate significant growth".

What phrases are similar to "looking ahead to"?

You can use phrases like "anticipating", "planning for", or "preparing for" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "looking ahead to" formal or informal?

"Looking ahead to" is generally considered neutral to formal. While acceptable in many contexts, it's best to avoid it in very casual conversations where simpler alternatives might be more appropriate.

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

"Looking forward to" typically expresses anticipation or excitement about something in the near future. "Looking ahead to" often refers to planning, analyzing, or considering a more distant or strategic future.