very looking forward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very looking forward" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is "very much looking forward" or simply "looking forward." Example: "I am very much looking forward to our meeting next week."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"I'm very looking forward to a Republican being back in office," she said at the time.

The Guardian

"I'm very looking forward to a Republican being back in office.

The New Yorker

"We are so very looking forward to turning this very fuzzy little image of a distant planet into something real," said Alan Stern of the Southwest Research Institute, and the principal investigator of the New Horizons mission.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

We are very much looking forward it.

The Guardian

"I'm very much looking forward to it.

BBC

I'm very much looking forward to the BBC special.

The New York Times

"He was very much looking forward to this baby".

The New York Times

"I'm very much looking forward to talking to Judith Kerr.

The Guardian

"I'm very much looking forward to that.

The Guardian

"I am very much looking forward to the race.

The Guardian - Sport

"I was very much looking forward to meeting everybody".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for brevity, "looking forward to" is often sufficient and avoids unnecessary wordiness.

Common error

Do not omit "much" when attempting to intensify "looking forward to". Saying "very looking forward to" is a common mistake that undermines the professionalism of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very looking forward" attempts to function as an expression of anticipation or excitement, similar to its corrected form "very much looking forward". However, as noted by Ludwig, it is grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "very looking forward" aims to express anticipation or excitement, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig highlights that the proper form is "very much looking forward". Although examples exist in news sources, it's crucial to use the grammatically correct alternatives, such as "very much looking forward", "really looking forward", or other contextually appropriate phrases like "greatly anticipating" to maintain clarity and professionalism in your writing. Always remember to avoid this common error to ensure your message is well-received and grammatically sound.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very much looking forward to

Adds "much" to correct the grammatical structure, emphasizing anticipation.

really looking forward to

Replaces "very" with "really" maintaining a high degree of similarity and correctness.

greatly anticipating

Substitutes the entire phrase with a more formal and concise expression.

eagerly awaiting

Emphasizes eagerness as a strong feeling of expectation.

excited about

Focuses on the excitement associated with the anticipated event or situation.

can't wait for

Expresses impatience and heightened anticipation in a more informal tone.

looking forward with great anticipation

Enhances the original sentiment with a more descriptive and emphatic tone.

awaiting with eagerness

Inverts the structure for stylistic variation, highlighting the eagerness.

highly anticipating

Similar to 'greatly anticipating' but with slightly less formality.

anticipating with pleasure

Adds a layer of enjoyment and positive expectation.

FAQs

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

Ensure you include an adverb like "much", "really", or "very much" before "looking" to intensify the expression correctly. For instance, "I am "very much looking forward to" the event" is grammatically sound.

What's a more formal alternative to "very much looking forward to"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "greatly anticipating" or "eagerly awaiting". These options convey a sense of anticipation while maintaining a professional register.

Is "looking forward to" always the best phrase to use?

While "looking forward to" is common and generally acceptable, it's not always the most impactful. Depending on the context, phrases like "excited about" or "can't wait for" may better convey your enthusiasm.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when using "looking forward to"?

A frequent error is omitting the word "much" when trying to intensify the phrase with "very" (i.e. avoid saying "very looking forward"). Also, be sure to use the correct preposition "to" after "looking forward" (e.g., "looking forward to the meeting").