look forward
feel happy and excited about something that will happen
What does "look forward to sth" mean?
Examples
- I'm really looking forward to the concert next weekend.
- She looked forward to seeing her family after months abroad.
- I look forward to hearing from you — a standard way to end a formal email.
How to use it
Use a noun phrase directly after 'to' when talking about an event or occasion you are excited about.
We're all looking forward to the school trip next Friday.
When what follows is an action, use the -ing form — 'to' here is a preposition, not part of an infinitive.
I'm looking forward to seeing you at the party!
Use an object pronoun like 'it' or 'them' when you have already mentioned what you are excited about.
The holidays start next week — I'm really looking forward to them.
In emails and letters, 'I look forward to hearing from you' is a standard polite phrase used to close a message.
Thank you for your time. I look forward to your reply.
Add 'really' before the verb or 'so much' at the end to show stronger excitement.
She's really looking forward to starting her new job.
Common Collocations
Common Mistakes
'To' in 'look forward to' is a preposition, not part of an infinitive. It must be followed by a noun or an -ing form, never a base verb.
The full phrase is always 'look forward to' — you cannot drop 'to'. Without it, the meaning changes completely.
'Look to' means to rely on someone for help, not to feel excited about something. Always use the full 'look forward to' when you mean anticipation.
Usage
'I'm looking forward to...' is the most natural everyday form; 'I look forward to...' (simple present) is a standard closing phrase in formal emails and letters. Both are correct — the choice depends on register.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I have to use '-ing' after 'look forward to'? Can't I just say 'look forward to see'?
The word 'to' in this phrase is a preposition, not part of the verb form 'to see'. Prepositions must be followed by a noun or an -ing verb, so you need to say 'look forward to seeing'. This is one of the most common mistakes learners make, so it's worth remembering.
What's the difference between 'I'm looking forward to it' and 'I look forward to it'?
'I'm looking forward to it' is the most natural form in everyday conversation. 'I look forward to it' (without -ing) sounds more formal and is very common in business emails and letters. Both are correct — you just choose based on the situation.
Can I use 'look forward to' when talking about the past?
Yes! 'I was looking forward to...' is used when you were excited about something that was going to happen. It often suggests the plans did not work out: 'I was looking forward to the concert, but it was cancelled.' You can also use it in a simple story to show how you felt at the time.
Is 'I've been looking forward to this' correct?
Yes, this is a very natural thing to say. It means you have felt excited about this for some time, right up to the present moment. For example, 'I've been looking forward to this holiday all year!' sounds completely natural.
What kinds of things can follow 'look forward to'?
You can use almost any future event, activity, or occasion — for example, a holiday, a party, a trip, or a meeting. You can also use an -ing verb phrase, like 'meeting you' or 'trying the food'. Very common examples are 'looking forward to the weekend', 'looking forward to seeing you', and 'looking forward to hearing from you'.
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