looking forward to competing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looking forward to competing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing anticipation or excitement about participating in a competition or event. Example: "I am looking forward to competing in the upcoming marathon next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

"I'm not looking forward to competing against Tyson," Bolt said.

The Guardian - Sport

"She is looking forward to competing in Zurich".

The New York Times - Sports

I am looking forward to competing again and giving myself the chance to win.

Independent

"It just says we're looking forward to competing this year," receiver Amani Toomer said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I was looking forward to competing in Montreal and I look forward to returning soon".

The Guardian - Sport

I'm looking forward to competing and hope to make it to the final.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

"I'm really looking forward to compete against her again".

The New York Times - Sports

"We always look forward to competing," said Steve Littlejohn, a spokesman for Express Scripts.

The New York Times

"We relish that position; we look forward to competing with them," Mr. Peper said.

The New York Times

"Marion and I had looked forward to competing together in Sydney.

The New York Times - Sports

"I look forward to competing with Adam more often," said Van der Burgh of his teenage opponent.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looking forward to competing" to express genuine enthusiasm and positive anticipation, especially in formal communication and public statements.

Common error

While widely accepted, using "looking forward to competing" in overly casual settings can sound stiff. Opt for simpler expressions like "excited to compete" or "can't wait" in informal conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looking forward to competing" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It expresses anticipation and enthusiasm towards a future event. This usage is supported by the Ludwig examples, which showcase its role in conveying a positive outlook.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "looking forward to competing" is a very common and grammatically correct way to express anticipation and excitement about an upcoming competition. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media, with a neutral to professional register. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in overly casual settings, where simpler expressions might be more appropriate. Alternatives such as "eager to compete" or "excited to compete" can provide a similar sentiment with a slightly different nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

looking forward to participating

Substitutes "competing" with the broader term "participating".

can't wait to compete

Expresses impatience and strong eagerness.

eager to compete

Replaces the longer phrase with a more concise expression of eagerness.

excited to compete

Emphasizes excitement as the primary emotion.

keen to compete

Uses "keen" to indicate enthusiasm.

thrilled to compete

Expresses a high degree of excitement and enthusiasm.

anticipating competing

Focuses on anticipation rather than directly expressing enjoyment.

relish competing

Implies a sense of enjoyment or pleasure in the act of competing.

anticipate competing

Formal alternative, replaces the longer phrase with a single verb.

awaiting the competition

Shifts the focus to awaiting the event itself.

FAQs

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

You can use "looking forward to competing" to express anticipation and excitement about an upcoming competition. For example, "The athlete said he was "looking forward to competing" in the Olympics".

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

You can use alternatives like "eager to compete", "excited to compete", or "can't wait to compete" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "looking forward to compete"?

No, the correct phrase is "looking forward to competing". The word "to" in this context is a preposition, and it should be followed by a gerund (a verb ending in -ing).

What's the difference between "looking forward to competing" and "excited about competing"?

While both phrases express positive anticipation, "looking forward to competing" is often considered slightly more formal. "Excited about competing" conveys a stronger sense of enthusiasm and is generally more appropriate for informal settings.