looking forward to returning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looking forward to returning" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing anticipation or eagerness to go back to a place or situation. Example: "I am looking forward to returning to my hometown for the holidays."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm looking forward to returning as an amateur.

The New York Times

No doubt many of them were already looking forward to returning home.

The Economist

"We are all looking forward to returning and playing a great game against Cerezo Osaka".

Independent

"I am looking forward to returning to Scotland and to seeing my family and friends again".

Independent

He said he was looking forward to returning to California and becoming a police officer someday.

The New York Times

Today, he said that he was looking forward to returning to school.

The New York Times

She is looking forward to returning to Hyderabad, where the living conditions will be much better.

The Guardian

For his part, Dr. Sacks said he was looking forward to returning to the classroom.

The New York Times - Books

He has a young baby who he is looking forward to returning home to.

The Guardian - Opinion

Bulford said: "I am really looking forward to returning to the BBC.

The Guardian

But I am looking forward to returning to Liverpool and watching this show.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looking forward to returning" when you want to express positive anticipation about going back to a place, activity, or state. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "look forward to return". The correct form requires a gerund (verb ending in -ing) after "to" when it functions as a preposition. Always use "looking forward to returning".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looking forward to returning" functions as a gerund phrase, where the gerund "returning" acts as a noun. This phrase typically follows a main clause and serves to express anticipation or excitement about a future event, aligning with Ludwig's observations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

11%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "looking forward to returning" is a very common and grammatically correct gerund phrase used to express anticipation or eagerness about going back to a place, activity, or state. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and wide usage, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it's important to use the gerund form "returning" and not the base form "return". Alternatives include "excited about going back" or "eagerly anticipating a return", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

looking forward to a revisit

Substitutes "returning" with "a revisit", maintaining the positive outlook.

excited about going back

Focuses on the excitement of returning, simplifying the structure.

can't wait to go back

Expresses impatience and strong desire to return, using a more informal tone.

eagerly anticipating a return

Emphasizes anticipation and excitement, using "eagerly" to intensify the feeling.

anticipating the return

Shortens the phrase, focusing on the anticipation of the return itself.

awaiting the opportunity to return

Highlights the anticipation of a chance or occasion to go back.

with anticipation for a return

Adds a sense of expectation and eagerness to the return.

eager for a second visit

Highlights eagerness for a return, framing it as a second visit.

planning to revisit

Highlights the planning aspect of returning, implying a deliberate intention.

intending to come back

Focuses on the intention and plans for a future return.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "looking forward to returning" for a formal email?

In a formal email, you can use phrases like "I anticipate returning", "I eagerly await the opportunity to return", or "I look forward to the prospect of returning".

What are some alternatives to "looking forward to returning" for informal situations?

For informal situations, consider using expressions such as "can't wait to go back", "excited to return", or simply "I'm excited to be back".

Is it grammatically correct to say "looking forward to return" instead of "looking forward to returning"?

No, "looking forward to return" is not grammatically correct. The phrase "look forward to" requires a noun or a gerund (verb ending in -ing) after the preposition "to". Therefore, the correct usage is "looking forward to returning".

What's the difference between "looking forward to returning" and "looking forward to return"?

The phrase "looking forward to returning" uses the gerund form of the verb "return", which is necessary after the preposition "to" in this context. "Looking forward to return" is grammatically incorrect as it uses the base form of the verb directly after the preposition.