really look forward to

USAGE SUMMARY

"really look forward to" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is usually used to express anticipation or excitement for something in the future. Example: I really look forward to my summer vacation every year.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's my 'me' time that I really look forward to! .

Vice

"I really look forward to the N.F.L.

The New York Times - Sports

I really look forward to our conversations.

Harvard University

That's what I really look forward to.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I really look forward to the results this year.

The New York Times

I really look forward to seeing the film.

The New York Times

It gives people something to really look forward to".

The New York Times - Sports

I really look forward to our future together.

The New York Times

"I really look forward to her meetings every week".

The New York Times

We can really look forward to what follows.

The Guardian

"This is a time of year that people really look forward to," Ms. Dowd said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "really look forward to" when you want to express genuine excitement or anticipation. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "really look forward to" is perfectly acceptable, overusing "really" can weaken your writing. Consider stronger alternatives like "eagerly anticipate" or "greatly anticipate" for variety and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really look forward to" functions as a verb phrase expressing anticipation or expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a common and correct way to communicate excitement about a future event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "really look forward to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for expressing anticipation or excitement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for a wide range of contexts, from formal communications to casual conversations. While "really" adds emphasis, be mindful of overuse. Consider enriching your vocabulary with alternatives like "eagerly anticipate" or "can't wait for" to avoid redundancy and enhance your writing. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media, Academia, and Science contexts, showcasing its versatility across various registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

look forward with great anticipation

Adds emphasis to the anticipation, slightly redundant but impactful.

anticipate with pleasure

Highlights the pleasant anticipation, more formal.

keenly anticipate

Highlights the intensity of anticipation, more formal.

eagerly anticipate

Focuses on the eager expectation, slightly more formal.

await with eagerness

Similar to 'eagerly anticipate' but with a different word choice.

await with excitement

Emphasizes the excitement of waiting, slightly more dramatic.

can't wait for

Expresses impatience and excitement, more informal.

excited for

A simple and direct expression of excitement.

thrilled about

Conveys a strong sense of excitement and joy.

count down the days

Emphasizes the act of waiting and anticipating a specific event.

FAQs

How to use "really look forward to" in a sentence?

You can use "really look forward to" to express anticipation or excitement about something in the future. For example, "I really look forward to the upcoming conference."

What can I say instead of "really look forward to"?

You can use alternatives like "eagerly anticipate", "can't wait for", or "anticipate with pleasure depending on the context.

Is "really looking forward to" the same as "really look forward to"?

Yes, "really looking forward to" is the present continuous form, implying anticipation at the moment of speaking. "Really look forward to" is more general, expressing a habitual or future anticipation.

Which is correct, "really look forward to" or "look forward to really"?

"Really look forward to" is the standard and more common phrasing. "Look forward to really" is grammatically awkward and not typically used.