looking forward to being back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looking forward to being back" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when talking about returning to a special place or returning to a routine. For example, "I'm looking forward to being back in my hometown for the holidays."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

"I was really looking forward to being back," she explained after a training session with her coach, Julian Vespan.

The New York Times

We are looking forward to being back on stage and playing your favourite songs," Mick Jagger said in a statement.

The Guardian - Music

Sad to be leaving a really great bunch of boys but looking forward to being back with my family!

The Guardian - Sport

Whiley added: "I'm looking forward to being back on air with Steve on a show that is really close to my heart.

Independent

"We are looking forward to being back at the Millennium Stadium on Thursday and having the crowd right behind us in an important World Cup fixture".

Independent

I saw Robyn perform at Lovebox last year, and I'm really looking forward to being back there – it seems like a cool, carefree vibe.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

"Aberdeen is a massive club and I'm really looking forward to be back playing in Scotland," he said.

BBC

"We look forward to being back in Bahrain soon," he added.

The New York Times - Sports

"Thank you and I look forward to being back in May; we'll work on a date," Mnuchin said as the hearing ended.

The Washington Post

I look forward to being back on stage before long, and am grateful to all those who have shown me support and who have sent me their good wishes".

The Guardian - Music

I look forward to being back.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looking forward to being back" when you want to express genuine anticipation and positive feelings about returning to a place, situation, or activity. This phrase is suitable for both personal and professional contexts to convey enthusiasm and eagerness.

Common error

Avoid using the infinitive form ('to be back') directly after "look forward to". The correct structure requires a gerund (being back) because 'to' functions as a preposition in this context. Instead of 'I look forward to be back', say 'I'm "looking forward to being back"'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looking forward to being back" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It expresses anticipation or positive expectation about a future event. Ludwig confirms its correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

20%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "looking forward to being back" is a common and grammatically correct way to express anticipation about returning to a place, situation, or activity. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use and grammatical soundness. It functions as a gerund phrase, conveying enthusiasm and positive expectations. This phrase is suitable for various contexts, from informal conversations to professional settings, with a neutral register. While primarily found in news and media, it also appears in sports and opinion pieces. Alternatives include "eager to return" and "can't wait to be back". Remember to use the correct gerund form ('being') after "looking forward to" to avoid grammatical errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can't wait to be back

Expresses impatience and excitement about returning.

eager to return

Replaces 'looking forward' with 'eager', emphasizing enthusiasm.

excited about returning

Substitutes 'looking forward' with 'excited', highlighting the emotion.

anticipating a return

Focuses on the anticipation of returning, omitting the explicit emotion of 'looking forward'.

anxious to return

Conveys a sense of eagerness mixed with slight anxiety.

awaiting the return

A more formal way of expressing anticipation of coming back.

relishing the thought of returning

Highlights the enjoyment derived from thinking about returning.

yearning to return

Implies a strong desire and longing to be back.

expecting to be back

Indicates an expectation of returning, often based on a schedule or arrangement.

planning to return soon

Focuses on the planning aspect of going back, rather than the emotional anticipation.

FAQs

How can I use "looking forward to being back" in a sentence?

You can use "looking forward to being back" to express anticipation for returning to a place or situation. For example, "I'm "looking forward to being back" in the office after my vacation", or "She's "looking forward to being back" on stage for the next performance".

What's the difference between "looking forward to being back" and "looking forward to returning"?

"Looking forward to being back" emphasizes the state of already being in that place or situation again. "Looking forward to returning" focuses on the act of going back. The difference is subtle but can affect the nuance.

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

You can use alternatives like "eager to return", "can't wait to be back", or "excited about returning" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "looking forward to be back"?

No, it is not grammatically correct. The phrase "looking forward to" requires a gerund (an -ing form of a verb) after the 'to' because 'to' acts as a preposition here. The correct form is "looking forward to being back".