looking forward to playing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looking forward to playing" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express anticipation or excitement about an upcoming event or activity, particularly in informal contexts. Example: "I am really looking forward to playing in the tournament next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm looking forward to playing here".

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm looking forward to playing.

The Guardian - Sport

I'm looking forward to playing my part".

Independent

We're looking forward to playing those guys.

The New York Times - Sports

Beckham is simply looking forward to playing.

The Guardian - Sport

I was so looking forward to playing.

The New York Times - Sports

"I was looking forward to playing.

The New York Times - Sports

"So I'm looking forward to playing now.

The Guardian - Sport

And they are looking forward to playing".

The New York Times - Sports

I'm looking forward to playing in Atlanta".

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm looking forward to playing with him".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing emails or letters, use "looking forward to playing" to build rapport and express your positive attitude towards future interactions.

Common error

Avoid using "looking forward to play" because "to" here is a preposition and should be followed by a gerund (-ing form) of the verb. The correct form is "looking forward to playing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looking forward to playing" functions as a gerund phrase, where "playing" acts as a noun. It commonly expresses anticipation or excitement about a future event. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "looking forward to playing" is a grammatically correct and very common gerund phrase used to express anticipation and enthusiasm for a future event, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is most frequently found in news and media sources. When using this phrase, ensure that the verb "play" is in its gerund form (playing) following the preposition "to". Alternatives include "eager to play" or "can't wait to play". The phrase's widespread use and clear meaning make it a valuable tool for expressing a positive outlook in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can't wait to play

Expresses a high degree of excitement and impatience, indicating a strong desire for the event to arrive quickly.

very excited to play

Uses 'very excited' to amplify the level of excitement in comparison to simply 'looking forward to'.

excited about playing

Replaces "looking forward to" with "excited about", directly expressing a feeling of excitement.

eager to play

Replaces "looking forward to" with "eager to", conveying a stronger sense of enthusiasm and impatience.

keen to play

A concise way to express enthusiasm, "keen" suggests a strong interest and willingness.

anticipating playing

Uses a more formal verb, "anticipating", instead of "looking forward to", implying a slightly more calculated expectation.

itching to play

Conveys a strong sense of restlessness and eagerness, suggesting a near uncontrollable desire to participate.

awaiting the opportunity to play

A more formal and passive way of expressing anticipation, suitable for professional contexts.

with great anticipation for playing

A more descriptive way of conveying eagerness, highlighting the level of expectation.

counting down the days until I play

Emphasizes the passage of time and the speaker's awareness of the approaching event, highlighting their anticipation.

FAQs

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

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

Is it correct to say "I look forward to play"?

No, that is incorrect. The correct form is "I am looking forward to playing". Because 'to' functions as a preposition in this phrase, it must be followed by a gerund (the -ing form of the verb).

How do I use "looking forward to playing" in a formal email?

You can use "looking forward to playing" in a formal email to express enthusiasm about an upcoming event. For example, "I am looking forward to playing in the charity golf tournament next month."

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

"Looking forward to playing" is grammatically correct, using the gerund form of the verb after the preposition "to". "Looking forward to play" is incorrect, as it uses the base form of the verb after the preposition.