looking forward to

USAGE SUMMARY

'looking forward to' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing anticipation, excitement or eagerness to do something. For example: I'm looking forward to celebrating the holidays with my family this year.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I'm looking forward to tomorrow".

The New York Times

I'm looking forward to it.

The New York Times

"I'm looking forward to that".

The New York Times - Sports

"Really looking forward to Nashville.

The New York Times

I'm looking forward to more".

The New York Times

I'm looking forward to those.

The New York Times

Sure looking forward to Tampa.

The New York Times

We're looking forward to tomorrow".

The New York Times - Sports

"We're looking forward to it.

The New York Times - Sports

But I'm looking forward to learning.

The New York Times

I'm looking forward to new adventures.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow "looking forward to" with a specific noun or gerund (verb ending in -ing). For example, "I'm looking forward to the meeting" or "I'm looking forward to hearing from you."

Common error

Don't use the infinitive form of the verb after "to" in "looking forward to". Always use the gerund (verb + -ing). For example, say "I'm looking forward to seeing you", not "I'm looking forward to see you".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looking forward to" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a state of anticipation or excitement. Ludwig examples show its use with nouns and gerunds, expressing eagerness for future events. It works to set a positive tone in many forms of communication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

31%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "looking forward to" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase used to express anticipation or excitement about future events. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's most common in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, and while its register is typically neutral, it is perceived as slightly less formal. When using the phrase, remember to follow it with a gerund (verb + -ing) and ensure your writing conveys genuine enthusiasm. Alternatives such as "anticipating" or "eagerly awaiting" can be used for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can't wait for

Indicates strong impatience and excitement.

eagerly awaiting

Emphasizes enthusiasm and impatience.

excited about

Highlights the feeling of excitement.

with great anticipation

Emphasizes the level of excitement.

anticipating

Focuses more on expecting something to happen.

geared up for

Suggests readiness and excitement for an event.

keen on

Implies strong interest and enthusiasm.

awaiting with pleasure

Adds a sense of enjoyment to the anticipation.

contemplating with eagerness

Highlights a thoughtful yet enthusiastic anticipation.

expecting with anticipation

Formal and emphasizes the expectation.

FAQs

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

Use "looking forward to" to express anticipation or excitement about something that will happen in the future. For example, "I am looking forward to the holidays."

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

You can use alternatives like "anticipating", "eagerly awaiting", or "excited about" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "looking forward to see" or "looking forward to seeing"?

"Looking forward to seeing" is correct. The phrase "looking forward to" requires a gerund (verb ending in -ing) after "to". Therefore, the correct form is "I'm looking forward to seeing you."

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

"Looking forward to" is typically used in continuous tenses (e.g., "I am looking forward to it"), while "look forward to" is used in simple present tense for general statements or formal closings (e.g., "I look forward to hearing from you").