looking forward to doing something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looking forward to doing something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing anticipation or excitement about a future event or activity. Example: "I am looking forward to meeting you at the conference next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

I'm just looking forward to doing something".

The New York Times - Sports

"And we're looking forward to doing something".

The New Yorker

She is 82, her husband died in April; she is looking forward to doing something more sociable and less taxing than writing.

The Guardian - Books

Say, "My last three weekends have been so busy -- I'm really looking forward to doing something fun and low key this weekend".

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"I look forward to doing something special".

The New York Times - Sports

"I asked her for a rain check, and I look forward to doing something at her house at some point in the future".

The New York Times

I definitely look forward to doing something else like that again.

Huffington Post

It's different than anything I've ever done before and next I look forward to doing something different as well".

Huffington Post

It's about working with the government of the day and that's something I'm looking forward to doing".

The Guardian

"It is definitely something I am looking forward to doing," said Cobb. "Originally it was going to be the one-dayers but it has turned out pretty well in that Ronnie will come and do the first games and I will take over for the seven in the middle and he will come back for a few at the end.

BBC

He invited me to attend one of his upcoming seminars, something I was looking forward to doing.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, remember that "looking forward to" should be followed by a gerund (verb + -ing).

Common error

Avoid using "looking forward to do something". The correct grammatical structure requires a gerund after "to" in this context. Always use the -ing form of the verb.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looking forward to doing something" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating anticipation or excitement about a future event or activity. It acts as a declarative statement expressing a positive expectation and personal sentiment. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "looking forward to doing something" is a common and grammatically sound way to express anticipation and excitement about a future event, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's versatile enough for various contexts, though more formal settings might warrant alternatives. Remember to use the gerund form after "to". While widely applicable, the phrase is most frequently encountered in news media and online guides. Alternatives like "eager to" or "can't wait to" offer similar sentiments with subtle differences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eager to do something

Uses "eager" to convey enthusiasm, simplifying the phrase.

excited about doing something

Emphasizes the excitement aspect of the anticipation.

anticipating doing something

Replaces "looking forward to" with a more concise verb expressing anticipation.

can't wait to do something

Expresses a stronger sense of impatience and eagerness.

keen on doing something

Uses "keen" to express a strong interest and eagerness.

relishing the thought of doing something

Highlights the enjoyment derived from anticipating the event.

enthusiastically awaiting something

Combines enthusiasm with anticipation in a formal manner.

awaiting something with pleasure

Formal alternative, emphasizing positive expectation.

counting down the days to do something

Indicates a specific timeline and heightened anticipation.

on tenterhooks about something

Emphasizes the nervous anticipation of an event.

FAQs

What does "looking forward to doing something" mean?

It means you are anticipating something with pleasure or excitement. It indicates a positive expectation about a future event or activity.

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

You can use alternatives like "eager to do something", "excited about doing something", or "anticipating doing something" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "looking forward to do something"?

No, it's grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "looking forward to doing something", using the gerund form of the verb.

How formal is the phrase "looking forward to doing something"?

It's generally considered neutral and appropriate for most situations, including both informal and professional contexts. However, in highly formal settings, you might opt for a more sophisticated alternative.