we look forward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "We look forward" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it at the end of a letter or email to express anticipation for a future event or thing. For example, "We look forward to helping you get settled into your new home!".

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We look forward to trial".

The New York Times

We look forward to that.

The Guardian - Opinion

We look forward to proving otherwise".

The New York Times

We look forward to Game 5".

The New York Times - Sports

"That's what we look forward to".

The New York Times

We look forward to seeing you there".

BBC

What else might we look forward to?

The New York Times - Science

We look forward to inspiring you.

The Guardian

"We look forward to receiving the findings".

Independent

Now we look forward to Wednesday".

Independent

We look forward to discussing your (pl).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we look forward to" followed by a verb in its -ing form (gerund) or a noun. For example, "We look forward to hearing from you" or "We look forward to the meeting."

Common error

Avoid using "we look forward to" followed directly by a base verb. It's grammatically incorrect to say "We look forward to meet you". The correct phrasing is "We look forward to meeting you" or "We look forward to our meeting".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we look forward" primarily functions as a performative expression used to convey anticipation or expectation of a future event or interaction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

38%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we look forward" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for conveying anticipation or expectation. As Ludwig AI affirms, it is correct and appropriate for a wide array of contexts. Its versatility makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication, especially in professional and academic settings. When using the phrase, remember to follow it with a gerund (verb ending in -ing) or a noun. While alternatives like "we anticipate" or "we await" exist, "we look forward" remains a reliable and effective choice for expressing positive anticipation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we are anticipating

Uses the continuous form to emphasize the ongoing anticipation.

we anticipate

Replaces "look forward" with a more concise term for expecting something.

we eagerly await

Adds intensity to the anticipation.

we can't wait for

Expresses a strong sense of eagerness.

we await

Emphasizes a sense of waiting with expectation.

we are excited about

Highlights the positive emotion associated with the anticipation.

we expect with pleasure

Explicitly states the positive feeling associated with the expectation.

we are keen on

Indicates enthusiasm and interest in the upcoming event.

we are hopeful for

Shifts the focus to the desired outcome.

we trust in

Indicates confidence and expectation.

FAQs

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

The phrase "we look forward to" is used to express anticipation of a future event. Follow it with a gerund (verb ending in -ing) or a noun. For example, "We look forward to "seeing you"" or "We look forward to your response".

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

You can use alternatives like "we anticipate", "we await", or "we eagerly await" depending on the context.

Is it okay to end a formal email with "we look forward to hearing from you"?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable and professional to end a formal email with "we look forward to hearing from you". It's a polite way to indicate that you expect a response.

What's the difference between "we look forward to" and "we are looking forward to"?

While both phrases express anticipation, "we are looking forward to" (continuous tense) emphasizes the ongoing feeling of anticipation leading up to the event. "We look forward to" is more general and suitable for most situations.