looking forward

USAGE SUMMARY

"looking forward" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are excited and enthusiastic about something in the future. For example, "I'm looking forward to our vacation next month!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We are looking forward.

Independent

"I've been looking forward".

The New York Times

"We keep looking forward".

The New York Times - Sports

Everything was looking forward.

Independent

"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

"I'm looking forward to tomorrow".

The New York Times

"I'm looking forward," he wrote.

The New York Times

I'm looking forward to it.

The New York Times

His mother isn't looking forward.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looking forward" when you want to express positive anticipation about an upcoming event or interaction. Ensure the context is appropriate for a generally positive sentiment.

Common error

Be cautious when using "looking forward" in situations where the expected outcome is uncertain or potentially negative. Consider using a more neutral phrase like "awaiting" or "expecting" to avoid unintended optimism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looking forward" functions as a verb phrase expressing anticipation or expectation of a future event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. Examples show it is commonly used to convey a positive outlook towards something upcoming.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

24%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "looking forward" is a versatile and widely used phrase for expressing positive anticipation of future events. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. When using this phrase, ensure a genuine positive sentiment aligns with the context to avoid any unintended implications. Be mindful of the preposition used, always pairing it with "to", not "for". Whether in news, academic writing, or casual conversation, "looking forward" effectively conveys enthusiasm and eagerness for what lies ahead.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eagerly awaiting

Adds emphasis to the anticipation but maintains a similar level of formality.

excited about

Expresses a stronger sense of enthusiasm and emotion compared to "looking forward".

anticipating

This alternative implies a more formal and perhaps slightly less enthusiastic expectation.

can't wait

This phrase is more informal and conveys a sense of impatience and strong desire.

awaiting

Awaiting suggests a passive expectation, whereas "looking forward" implies a more active interest.

relishing

This alternative implies savoring the thought or prospect of something to come.

with anticipation

This alternative is more formal and descriptive, focusing on the feeling of anticipation itself.

expecting with pleasure

This phrase highlights the positive emotions associated with the anticipation.

contemplating with delight

Suggests a more reflective and joyful anticipation.

keen on

Keen on suggests a slightly less intense level of enthusiasm or excitement.

FAQs

How can I use "looking forward" in a sentence?

You can use "looking forward" to express anticipation or excitement about something that will happen in the future. For example, "I'm looking forward to the concert next week" or "We are looking forward to your visit".

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

No, the correct preposition to use with "looking forward" is "to". You should say "I'm looking forward to" something, not "I'm looking forward for" something.

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

"Looking forward to" is the present continuous form, used to express current anticipation. "Look forward to" is the base form, often used in formal contexts like business letters to express future anticipation. For example, "I look forward to hearing from you soon".