we looked forward to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we looked forward to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express anticipation or excitement about a future event or situation. Example: "We looked forward to the annual company retreat, where we could bond and collaborate with our colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We looked forward to going back.

The New York Times

We looked forward to a new era.

The Guardian

We looked forward to trying them at another time.

The New York Times

We looked forward to seeing Marci and Ken".

The New York Times - Travel

We looked forward to risotto funghi and were not disappointed.

The New York Times

We expected a crowd of parents and we looked forward to conversing with other people.

Cornell University

"When we bought her, we looked forward to her getting in the barn six months later.

The New Yorker

Flights booked, we looked forward to escaping Britain in the doldrums.

Independent

Still, we all managed to move beyond that, as we looked forward to the gala evening.

The New Yorker

When we were going through high school as underclassmen, we looked forward to senior spring break".

The New York Times

We looked forward to a scenic drive along Vermont's twisting back roads.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we looked forward to" when expressing genuine anticipation or pleasure about a future event. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is being anticipated.

Common error

Avoid using "we looked forward to" when referring to something that is currently happening. The phrase implies anticipation of a future event, not a present state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we looked forward to" functions as a verb phrase expressing anticipation or expectation. It typically precedes a noun phrase or gerund, indicating what is being anticipated. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we looked forward to" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to express anticipation or excitement about a past event. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent usage across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, and academic writing, it conveys a sense of positive expectation. Alternatives include "we anticipated" or "we eagerly awaited". Be mindful of using the correct tense and ensure the context aligns with anticipating a future event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we anticipated

Replaces "looked forward to" with a more formal and concise verb, maintaining a similar level of expectation.

we were anticipating

Similar to "we anticipated" but maintains a continuous or ongoing sense of expectation.

we eagerly awaited

Emphasizes the enthusiasm and eagerness associated with the anticipation.

we were excited about

Shifts the focus to the emotional state of excitement regarding a future event.

we were looking ahead to

Focuses on the future and the act of considering something with anticipation.

we couldn't wait for

Expresses a stronger sense of impatience and eagerness.

we expected with pleasure

Highlights the positive emotion associated with the expectation.

we had high hopes for

Shifts the focus to the desired outcome and the level of expectation.

we contemplated with eagerness

Implies a thoughtful consideration combined with enthusiasm.

we envisioned with delight

Emphasizes the positive mental imagery and enjoyment associated with anticipation.

FAQs

What does "we looked forward to" mean?

The phrase "we looked forward to" expresses anticipation or excitement about something that is expected to happen in the future. It indicates a positive expectation or eagerness.

How can I use "we looked forward to" in a sentence?

You can use "we looked forward to" to express anticipation, for example: "We looked forward to the summer vacation."

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

You can use alternatives like "we anticipated", "we eagerly awaited", or "we were excited about" depending on the context.

Is "we look forward to" the same as "we looked forward to"?

"We look forward to" refers to something you are anticipating in the future, while "we looked forward to" refers to something you were anticipating in the past.