to having

USAGE SUMMARY

'to having' is not correct or usable in written English.
You could use 'having' instead, for example: "I look forward to having a good time."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Only 10% admitted to having no religion.

The Economist

I admit, though, to having mixed feelings.

Independent

"We were so close to having it.

Independent

But it came close to having nine.

The Economist

I liken it to having a kid.

The New York Times - Sports

He admits to having made "mistakes".

The New York Times

Nothing mattered compared to having a baby.

The New Yorker

He's used to having it.

The New York Times - Sports

We hadn't been averse to having children.

The New York Times

I've got used to having him around.

The New York Times

Don is used to having both sides".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing purpose or intention, consider using "in order to have" or "with the intention of having" for enhanced clarity.

Common error

A frequent mistake is using "to having" when a gerund (verb ending in -ing functioning as a noun) is needed. Remember that after prepositions like "to", the verb should be in its base form (e.g., "to have"), unless it's part of a specific construction. Using just "having" often corrects the sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to having" typically appears in contexts where a gerund (a verb form ending in -ing that functions as a noun) is required after a preposition. However, standard English grammar generally considers this usage incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment, suggesting alternative constructions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Academia

16%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "to having" appears frequently across various sources, including news and scientific publications, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI flags this construction as problematic, and it's best practice to avoid it in formal writing. Instead, opt for alternatives like "having" or rephrase your sentence for improved clarity and grammatical accuracy. Correct usage enhances credibility and ensures effective communication. Remember that despite its prevalence, prioritizing grammatical correctness strengthens the clarity and professionalism of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

having

Omits the preposition "to", resulting in a grammatically correct gerund phrase.

in order to have

Replaces "to having" with a purpose clause, clarifying the intention of possessing or experiencing something.

with the intention of having

Emphasizes the purpose or goal of possessing or experiencing something, adding more formality.

for the purpose of having

Similar to "with the intention of having", but with a stronger focus on the intended outcome.

the experience of having

Focuses on the experiential aspect of "having", shifting emphasis from possession to the experience itself.

the process of having

Highlights the procedural or gradual aspect of "having", often used in contexts involving acquisition or development.

with a view to having

A more formal alternative emphasizing the intention or aim of possessing or experiencing something.

aiming to have

Highlights the intent or goal to possess or experience something.

intending to have

Similar to aiming to have, but implies a stronger resolve or determination.

desiring to have

Conveys a wish or longing to possess or experience something.

FAQs

How can I correct a sentence that uses "to having"?

The easiest way to correct a sentence using "to having" is often to simply remove the "to", using "having" alone. For example, change "I look forward to having a good time" to "I look forward to having a good time".

When is it appropriate to use "having" instead of "to having"?

"Having" is appropriate when it functions as a gerund (a verb acting as a noun) or as part of a continuous verb tense. "To having" is generally not grammatically correct. Using just "having" often fixes the sentence.

What are some alternatives to "looking forward to having"?

Instead of "looking forward to having", you can use alternatives such as "anticipating having", "eager to have", or "excited about having", depending on the context.

Is "to have" ever interchangeable with "to having"?

No, "to have" and "to having" are not generally interchangeable. "To have" is the infinitive form of the verb, while "to having" is typically grammatically incorrect. If used in a sentence such as "I want to have something", the correct form is "to have".