looking forward to having

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looking forward to having" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to express anticipation or excitement regarding the happening of an event or the acquisition of something. Example: I'm looking forward to having a relaxing weekend.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Communication

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm looking forward to having them nearby.

The New York Times

I'm looking forward to having a life".

The Guardian - Sport

I'm looking forward to having him around".

The Guardian - Sport

I'm looking forward to having everybody back.

The New York Times - Sports

I'm looking forward to having a group".

The New York Times

"I'm looking forward to having that conversation," he added.

The New York Times

It's a conversation I'm looking forward to having.

The New York Times

And I'm looking forward to having that debate.

The New York Times

I was really looking forward to having it done.

Independent

We are looking forward to having him back full force.

The New York Times - Sports

"I'll be looking forward to having her back".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looking forward to having" to express genuine excitement or anticipation about a future event or experience. It adds a personal touch to your communication.

Common error

While "looking forward to having" is perfectly acceptable, avoid using it excessively in a single piece of writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "anticipating" or "eagerly awaiting" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looking forward to having" functions as a present participial phrase acting as an adjective, modifying a subject and expressing anticipation about a future experience or possession. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sports

30%

General Communication

20%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "looking forward to having" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to convey anticipation or excitement about a future event or experience. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Sports reporting, it also appears in more personal communication. To avoid overuse, consider related phrases like "eagerly awaiting" or "excited about". Remember that "looking forward to" requires a gerund, so "having" is the correct form.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can't wait to have

Expresses impatience and strong desire.

excited about the prospect of having

Highlights the excitement associated with a future possibility.

keen to have

Suggests enthusiasm and willingness.

eagerly awaiting the chance to have

Emphasizes eagerness and expectation, focusing on the opportunity.

anxious to have

Indicates a strong desire or eagerness, sometimes with a hint of nervousness.

anticipating the opportunity to have

Replaces "looking forward" with a more formal and elaborate expression of anticipation.

relishing the thought of having

Focuses on the enjoyment and pleasure derived from anticipating something.

awaiting with anticipation the experience of having

Adds a sense of formality and emphasizes the experience itself.

expecting to have with pleasure

Highlights expectation combined with pleasure.

counting down the days until I have

Emphasizes the passage of time and the eagerness for an event to occur.

FAQs

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

You can use "looking forward to having" to express anticipation for an event or experience. For example, "I'm looking forward to having a relaxing vacation" or "We are looking forward to having you join our team."

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

"Looking forward to having" implies anticipation of possessing or experiencing something, while "looking forward to being" suggests anticipation of a state or condition. For example, "looking forward to having a car" vs "looking forward to being home."

Which is correct: "looking forward to have" or "looking forward to having"?

"Looking forward to having" is correct. The phrase "look forward to" requires a gerund (verb ending in -ing) after the preposition "to". Thus, "having" is the correct form.

What are some alternatives to "looking forward to"?

You can use alternatives like "eager to", "can't wait to", or "excited about" depending on the context. For instance, instead of "I'm looking forward to having dinner with you", you could say "I'm excited about having dinner with you".