looking forward to playing you

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looking forward to playing you" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is expressing anticipation or excitement about an upcoming game or competition against another person. Example: "I'm really looking forward to playing you in the tournament next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Zach: I am looking forward to playing "You Don't Mess With the Zohan" Ball, as soon as you finish watching "Charles in Charge".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"If players look forward to playing you, then they forget they're in someone else's home ground.

Independent

What are you looking forward to playing?

The Guardian - Music

What are you looking forward to playing this week?

The Guardian - Music

Are you looking forward to playing with Eric Gordon this season and trying to turn the Hornets into playoff contenders?

The New York Times

Are you looking forward to playing a craggy old guy to a theater of overstimulated 10-year-olds?

The New York Times - Magazine

I'm kind of, you know, looking forward to playing it.

The Guardian - Music

But consider how many days in the next three golf seasons that rain may ruin a round you were looking forward to playing.

The New York Times - Sports

You could say it's extra motivation, but I am just looking forward to playing, anyway".

The New York Times - Sports

I'm looking forward to playing here".

The New York Times - Sports

I hope to play, looking forward to playing".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looking forward to playing you" to express genuine enthusiasm about an upcoming game or competition. Ensure the context is appropriate, as it's generally considered informal.

Common error

Avoid using "looking forward to playing you" in highly formal or professional settings. Opt for more formal alternatives like "I anticipate our match" or "I look forward to our competition" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looking forward to playing you" functions as an expression of anticipation and excitement about an upcoming game or competition. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in contexts where one is eager to participate against someone.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "looking forward to playing you" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase for expressing anticipation about an upcoming game or competition. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is common in news and media contexts. While correct, it's important to consider the level of formality required; in highly professional settings, it is better to use alternatives like "I anticipate our match". When used appropriately, it shows enthusiasm and a positive attitude.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anticipating playing against you

Replaces "looking forward to" with "anticipating", providing a slightly more formal tone.

eager to play against you

Substitutes "looking forward to" with "eager to", conveying a strong sense of enthusiasm.

I can't wait to play against you

Uses "can't wait" to express impatience and excitement.

excited to play you

Uses "excited" instead of "looking forward to", emphasizing the feeling of excitement.

I'm thrilled to be playing you

Replaces "looking forward to" with "thrilled", conveying a high level of excitement.

I'm keen to play against you

Uses "keen" to convey eagerness and enthusiasm.

I await our game with great anticipation

A more formal and elaborate way of expressing anticipation for the game.

I'm psyched to play you

Uses "psyched" which is an informal way to express excitement and anticipation.

I anticipate our upcoming match

Formal alternative, replacing personal excitement with a general anticipation of the match.

It will be a pleasure to play you

Expresses anticipation in a polite and slightly formal manner.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "looking forward to playing you"?

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

Is "looking forward to playing you" grammatically correct?

Yes, "looking forward to playing you" is grammatically correct. The phrase "looking forward to" is followed by a gerund (playing) which is standard English grammar.

When is it appropriate to use "looking forward to playing you"?

It is appropriate to use "looking forward to playing you" in informal settings when you want to express excitement or anticipation about an upcoming game or competition. It's best used with friends, teammates, or acquaintances.

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

Both phrases are very similar, but "looking forward to playing against you" is more specific, explicitly stating that you anticipate competing against someone. "Looking forward to playing you" can sometimes imply playing with someone on the same team, though context usually clarifies the intent.