looking forward to the future

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looking forward to the future" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in a variety of contexts to describe someone who is optimistic about and eager for what the future holds. For example, you could say "I'm feeling very positive about the year ahead; I'm looking forward to the future!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You say you're looking forward to the future?

The New York Times - Science

I am looking forward to the future with Bayern".

The Guardian - Sport

I am still looking forward to the future.

The Guardian - Opinion

"At the same time, we really are looking forward to the future," he said.

The New York Times

With these activities, along with my many other interests, I am looking forward to the future.

Independent

Having just started his first managerial role, Bruce is looking forward to the future.

The Guardian

YouknowwhadImean?"), he is writing songs once again, planning to tour, and looking forward to the future.

The Guardian - Music

"But it's part of football and I'm now looking forward to the future with Liverpool.

The Guardian - Sport

Whatever happened is the past, and now we are looking forward to the future.

The Guardian

The potential of such workshops, and how organisations looking forward to the future can build health literacy, is discussed.

Nurse Education in Practice

We wrote five position papers I was the author of one about looking forward to the future.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looking forward to the future" to express optimism and positive anticipation. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "looking forward to the future" when the context already implies a forward-looking perspective. For example, instead of saying "We are planning for the future and looking forward to the future", simply say "We are planning for the future".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looking forward to the future" functions as an expression of anticipation and optimism. It's commonly used to convey a positive outlook regarding upcoming events or long-term prospects. Ludwig confirms its frequent usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "looking forward to the future" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey optimism and anticipation about upcoming events and long-term prospects. As verified by Ludwig, it is widely used across various contexts, including news, academia, and business. While simple, this phrase effectively communicates a positive sentiment about what is to come, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. While there may be concerns about redundancy, the expression's pervasiveness, and its capacity to emphasize hope, make it a valuable and accepted part of the English lexicon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anticipating a bright future

Highlights the expectation of a positive and successful future.

excited for what lies ahead

Conveys excitement and the unknown nature of the future.

eagerly awaiting the future

Emphasizes eagerness and the act of waiting.

with anticipation for the future

Emphasizes the feeling of anticipation as a key aspect.

anticipating what's to come

Focuses on anticipation rather than positive expectation.

embracing future opportunities

Highlights the act of welcoming and seizing chances.

optimistic about the prospects

Highlights optimism and potential outcomes.

feeling hopeful about tomorrow

Expresses hopefulness and a focus on the near future.

awaiting the unfolding future

Focuses on the gradual revelation of the future.

expecting great things to come

Conveys high expectations and positive outcomes.

FAQs

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

You can use "looking forward to the future" to express your positive expectations and anticipation about upcoming events or long-term prospects. For instance, "After graduating, I am "looking forward to the future" and starting my career".

What can I say instead of "looking forward to the future"?

You can use alternatives like "anticipating what's to come", "excited for what lies ahead", or "anticipating a bright future" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "looking forward to the future"?

While "looking forward" inherently implies a future orientation, the phrase ""looking forward to the future"" is commonly used to emphasize anticipation and optimism. However, in some contexts, it might be more concise to simply say "looking forward".

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

"Looking forward to" can refer to a specific event or time, while ""looking forward to the future"" generally refers to a broader, more general anticipation of what is to come. For example, "I'm looking forward to the weekend" versus "I'm looking forward to the future of renewable energy".