look forward to

Meaning

This phrase means to feel excited or pleased about something that is going to happen in the future. It is commonly used at the end of emails, letters, and in daily speech. The tone is positive and can range from friendly to professional.

Examples

• I am really looking forward to our vacation next week.

  I am really looking forward to our vacation next week.

• We look forward to hearing from you soon regarding the job offer.

  We look forward to hearing from you soon regarding the job offer.

• My kids are looking forward to opening their Christmas presents.

  My kids are looking forward to opening their Christmas presents.

• I don't look forward to driving in this terrible snowstorm.

  I don't look forward to driving in this terrible snowstorm.

• She is looking forward to starting her new class on Monday.

  She is looking forward to starting her new class on Monday.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I look forward to meet you.

  ✓ I look forward to meeting you.

  The 'to' in 'look forward to' is a preposition, so it must be followed by a noun or a gerund (verb+ing), not a base verb.

• ✗ I am looking forward for the weekend.

  ✓ I am looking forward to the weekend.

  The correct preposition combination is always 'look forward to', never 'forward for'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I am really ___ seeing you at the party tonight.

  💡 expressing excitement for a future event

  Show answer

  looking forward to

• We look ___ working with your team on this project.

  💡 complete the three-word phrasal verb

  Show answer

  forward to