we were looking forward to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were looking 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 were looking forward to the concert this weekend, but it got canceled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

We were looking forward to fighting these allegations and winning".

The New York Times

We were looking forward to raising our family there".

The New York Times

We were looking forward to having some fun.

The New York Times - Sports

"We were looking forward to seeing him swimming," he said.

The New York Times

We were looking forward to moving into Shea".

The New York Times - Sports

We were looking forward to a great vacation.

The New York Times

We were looking forward to the funds from the United States".

The New York Times

"We were looking forward to see Adolfo play with Clint," General Manager Nick Sakiewicz said.

The New York Times - Sports

"We were looking forward to having Will come back," Cardinals General Manager Walt Jocketty said.

The New York Times - Sports

"As a nonprofit organization," he said, "we were looking forward to setting the right tone".

The New York Times

We were looking forward to 1984's headline act the Smiths.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were looking forward to" to express genuine anticipation or excitement about something in the future. Ensure the context makes it clear what you are anticipating.

Common error

Avoid using "we are looking forward to" when referring to a past event. "We were looking forward to" should be used to describe anticipation in the past, not the present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were looking forward to" functions as a verb phrase expressing a state of anticipation or expectation regarding a future event or situation. It indicates a positive sentiment and eagerness for something that was expected to occur, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were looking forward to" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to convey anticipation or excitement about a past expectation. Ludwig confirms this with numerous examples from authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. Alternatives include "we anticipated" or "we eagerly awaited", providing options for nuanced expression. Remember to use the correct tense and context to avoid common errors. Ludwig provides a wealth of examples to guide accurate and effective usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were anticipating

Similar to "we anticipated" but uses the continuous tense to emphasize the ongoing expectation.

we anticipated

Changes the verb from "looking forward to" to the more formal "anticipated".

we eagerly awaited

Replaces "looking forward to" with a more emphatic "eagerly awaited".

we were keen on

Uses "keen on" as a synonym for "looking forward to", implying enthusiasm.

we were excited about

Substitutes "looking forward to" with "excited about", conveying a stronger sense of enthusiasm.

we couldn't wait for

Uses a more informal and emphatic expression of anticipation.

we had high hopes for

Indicates a positive expectation and desire for a favorable outcome.

we expected with pleasure

Replaces the idiomatic expression with a more literal description of the feeling.

we contemplated with anticipation

Emphasizes the act of thinking about the future event and the excitement associated with it.

we foresaw with pleasure

Highlights the act of foreseeing the event and the positive emotion associated with it.

FAQs

How do I use "we were looking forward to" in a sentence?

Use "we were looking forward to" to express past anticipation for an event or situation. For example, "We were looking forward to the concert, but it was canceled".

What can I say instead of "we were looking forward to"?

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

Is it correct to say "we are looking forward to" instead of "we were looking forward to"?

The choice depends on the time frame. Use "we are looking forward to" for present or future anticipation, and "we were looking forward to" for anticipation in the past.

What's the difference between "we were looking forward to" and "we had hoped for"?

"We were looking forward to" expresses anticipation, while "we had hoped for" expresses a past desire or expectation that may or may not have been fulfilled. The first focuses on the anticipation itself, while the second focuses on the hope.