Look Forward To – Meaning and Examples

Have you ever felt excited about an upcoming vacation, a friend’s visit, or a weekend off? In English, you can say, “I’m looking forward to it!” This warm and polite phrase is one of the most common ways to express positive anticipation—and it’s used daily in conversations, emails, and messages.

What Does “Look Forward To” Mean?

“Look forward to” means to feel excited, happy, or eager about something that will happen in the future. It’s always followed by a noun, pronoun, or verb ending in -ing (not the base verb!). Think of it like smiling at the future—whether it’s a big event or a simple coffee date.

When to Use It

Use “look forward to” in both casual and formal situations:
• In friendly chats: “I’m looking forward to the concert!”
• In work or school emails: “I look forward to your reply.” (formal)
• When planning with others: “We’re looking forward to meeting you.”
It’s polite, positive, and widely accepted everywhere—from texting friends to writing professional messages.

Example Sentences

  • I’m really looking forward to my sister’s wedding.
  • She’s looking forward to starting her new job.
  • We look forward to working with you. (formal)
  • Are you looking forward to the holiday?

Mini Dialogue

Alex: “The workshop is next Monday!”

Jamie: “I know! I’m really looking forward to it.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t forget: after “look forward to,” you must use a noun or a verb with -ing. Many learners mistakenly say “look forward to see you” instead of “look forward to seeing you.”

Don’t say: “I look forward to meet you.”
Do say: “I look forward to meeting you.”
Do say: “She’s looking forward to the results.”

Practice Tip

Next time you plan something—even small—use the phrase correctly: “I’m looking forward to seeing you,” “I look forward to the weekend,” or “We’re looking forward to trying that new café.” Remember: always use a noun or -ing verb after “to.”

Final Note

Now you can use “look forward to” to share excitement and show politeness—with perfect grammar and natural rhythm. It’s a phrase that bridges friendly warmth and professional courtesy. Keep using it in texts, emails, and conversations. Every time you say it, you sound more like a confident, fluent English speaker. You’ve got this!

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