On this page18 sections
- Quick picker
- The grammar trap: "looking forward to" + -ing
- "I look forward to" vs "I'm looking forward to"
- Formal ways to say "looking forward to"
- Neutral everyday options
- Informal and excited
- Replying to a plan or invitation
- For students, teachers and new courses
- For specific things you are looking forward to
- Single words that can replace it
- "Looking forward" without "to"
- In cover letters and job applications
- Three sample messages
- British and American differences
- Tone and register tips
- Other common mistakes
- Practice
- Quick answers
Other ways to say “looking forward to” run from formal to excited. In a work email, use “I look forward to…”, “I’m keen to…” or “I’m eager to…”. With friends, try “I can’t wait to…”, “I’m so excited for…” or “Counting down the days!”. Whatever you choose, watch the grammar: after “looking forward to” the verb takes -ing (“looking forward to meeting you”, never “to meet you”), while “can’t wait to”, “eager to” and “keen to” take the plain verb. Below the options are grouped by setting, each with a real sentence and a note on tone.
Quick picker
| Setting | Best options |
|---|---|
| Formal email or cover letter | I look forward to…, I would welcome the opportunity to…, I am eager to… |
| Everyday work email | Looking forward to…, I’m keen to…, Speak soon |
| Friends and family | Can’t wait!, So excited for…, Counting down the days |
| Very excited | I’m dying to…, I’m buzzing (British), I’m psyched (American) |
| Replying to a plan | Sounds great, see you then!, Can’t wait, It’s in the diary |
| Calm or patient anticipation | I’m expecting…, I’m hoping to…, I’ll be glad to… |
| Teacher or new student | I’m excited to get started, I’m eager to learn…, I’m keen to get to know you all |
The grammar trap: “looking forward to” + -ing
This is the most common mistake people make with the phrase, and it shows up constantly in searches. The “to” in “look forward to” is a preposition, not part of an infinitive, so it must be followed by a noun or an -ing form.
| Wrong | Right |
|---|---|
| I’m looking forward to meet you. | I’m looking forward to meeting you. |
| I am looking forward to learn more. | I am looking forward to learning more. |
| We look forward to hear from you. | We look forward to hearing from you. |
| Looking forward in anticipation to learn. | Looking forward to learning. (The “in anticipation” repeats the idea.) |
| I wish everyone looking forward into a great semester. | I hope everyone is looking forward to a great semester. |
A quick test: if you can put a noun after “to” (“looking forward to the meeting”), you need -ing for a verb (“looking forward to meeting”). The same rule covers “used to” in “I’m used to working late” and “object to”: “I object to paying twice.”
Many of the alternatives below do take the plain infinitive, so it pays to learn them in pairs: can’t wait to see, eager to start, keen to hear, but looking forward to seeing, excited about starting.
“I look forward to” vs “I’m looking forward to”
Both are correct. “I look forward to” (simple present) is more formal and is the classic close for business letters and cover letters: “I look forward to hearing from you.” “I’m looking forward to” (continuous) sounds warmer and more personal: “I’m really looking forward to the weekend.” In emails, the short form “Looking forward to it!” is friendly but still fine with colleagues you know.
Formal ways to say “looking forward to”
| Phrase | Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| I look forward to… | “I look forward to discussing the proposal on Monday.” | The standard formal version |
| I would welcome the opportunity to… | “I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my application in person.” | Polite and humble; ideal for cover letters |
| I am eager to… | “I am eager to contribute to the research team.” | Shows enthusiasm without slang |
| I am keen to… | “I am keen to learn more about the role.” | Common in British business English |
| I anticipate… | “I anticipate a productive meeting.” | Means “expect”; neutral, not excited |
| I await your reply. | “I await your reply regarding the contract.” | Very formal; can sound stiff or impatient |
| I am excited to… | “I am excited to join the team in September.” | Formal enough for most work contexts today |
| We are pleased to welcome you on… | “We are pleased to welcome you and Aaron Smith on the 14th.” | For hosts confirming a visit |
“I anticipate” is a slightly cold choice for warmth: it says you expect something, not that you are happy about it. “I anticipate some delays” is perfectly natural; “I anticipate seeing you” is not, so use “I look forward to seeing you”. “It is with great anticipation that I…” appears in some lists but sounds overdone in modern email.
For specific closings, see other ways to say “look forward to hearing from you”.
Neutral everyday options
| Phrase | Example |
|---|---|
| I’m hoping to… | “I’m hoping to catch up with everyone at the reunion.” |
| I’ll be glad to… | “I’ll be glad to finally see the finished house.” |
| It’ll be good to… | “It’ll be good to get away for a few days.” |
| I’m excited about / for… | “I’m excited about the new job.” / “I’m excited for the trip.” |
| I’ve been waiting for this. | “I’ve been waiting for this concert all year.” |
| I’m ready for… | “I’m so ready for a holiday.” |
| Should be fun. | “Picnic on Saturday? Should be fun.” |
“Excited about” is the safe standard; “excited for” is very common in American English for events (“excited for the weekend”). Both are understood everywhere. With a verb, use “excited to”: “I’m excited to see you.”
Informal and excited
| Phrase | Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| I can’t wait to… / Can’t wait! | “I can’t wait to see you!” | The most common informal alternative |
| I’m counting down the days. | “Two weeks till Lisbon. Counting down the days!” | Playful, for trips and events |
| I’m dying to… | “I’m dying to try that new ramen place.” | Strong eagerness; casual |
| I’m so excited! | “Tickets booked. I’m so excited!” | Simple and natural |
| I’m buzzing. | “I’m buzzing for the match tonight.” | British slang |
| I’m psyched / stoked. | “I’m so psyched for the road trip.” | American slang (stoked is also Australian) |
| Bring it on! | “A whole week off? Bring it on.” | Eager, a bit cheeky; also used for challenges |
| I can hardly wait. | “Your wedding’s next month? I can hardly wait.” | Warm, slightly old-fashioned |
| It’s going to be epic. | “The festival’s going to be epic.” | Very casual, younger speakers |
Watch the meaning: “I’m over the moon” means you are delighted about something that has already happened (“over the moon about the news”), not that you are waiting for something. And “on the edge of my seat” describes suspense while something is happening, such as a thriller or a close match, not general eagerness about a future event. The old version of this page used both as ways to say “looking forward”, which they are not.
Replying to a plan or invitation
When someone confirms a meeting or invites you somewhere, “Looking forward to it!” is the usual reply. Some alternatives:
| Reply | When to use |
|---|---|
| Sounds great, see you then! | Friends and colleagues; confirms the time too |
| Can’t wait! | Friends, family |
| Perfect, it’s in the diary. (US: on my calendar) | Work or social; shows you’ve noted it |
| Great, I’ll see you on Thursday. | Neutral, any setting |
| Thank you, I look forward to it. | Formal invitations, interviews |
| Wouldn’t miss it. | Warm reply to a party or celebration |
| Count me in! | Accepting a group plan casually |
For students, teachers and new courses
A common need is the first message in a course or class, where “looking forward to” tends to appear three times in four sentences. A few ways to vary it:
- “I’m excited to get started and to meet everyone in the group.”
- “I’m eager to learn how other learners approach the language.”
- “I’m keen to try new subjects, because they spark my curiosity.”
- “I’m curious to see how the course is structured.”
- “This semester I’m hoping to improve my essay writing.”
- For a teacher: “I can’t wait to read your work and help you do your best this term.”
“Spark my curiosity” or “pique my interest” are natural ways to say why something excites you. Note the spelling: pique, not peak or peek.
For specific things you are looking forward to
| Looking forward to… | Try |
|---|---|
| meeting someone | “It’ll be great to put a face to the name.” / “Excited to finally meet you.” See looking forward to meeting you. |
| a call | “Speak to you on Tuesday.” / “Talk soon.” |
| a new job | “I’m excited to get started on the 3rd.” / “I’m eager to hit the ground running.” |
| a trip | “I’m counting down the days to Rome.” |
| the weekend | “Roll on Friday!” (British) / “So ready for the weekend.” |
| seeing someone again | “Can’t wait to catch up properly.” / “It’s been far too long.” |
| working together | “I’m excited to work with you on this.” / “I think this is going to be a great collaboration.” |
“Roll on…” is a British idiom meaning “I wish it would come sooner”: “Roll on summer.” “Hit the ground running” means start quickly and effectively; it suits job messages but is a cliché, so use it once at most.
Single words that can replace it
Sometimes one verb does the job better than a phrase, especially in writing where you need variety.
| Word | Meaning and use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| anticipate | expect; neutral, often about plans or problems | “We anticipate strong demand for the course.” |
| await | wait for; formal, takes a direct object (no “for”) | “We await the committee’s decision.” |
| expect | believe something will happen; neutral | “I expect we’ll finish by June.” |
| relish (the prospect of) | look forward to with real pleasure; slightly literary | “She relished the prospect of a quiet week in the hills.” |
| savour | enjoy something slowly, including the waiting | “I’m savouring the last few days before the move.” |
| long (to / for) | want something very much, often for a long time | “After the winter, I’m longing for some sunshine.” |
| crave | want badly; mostly about food, rest or attention | “I’m craving a proper holiday.” |
A grammar note on await: it never takes “for”. Say “I await your reply” or “I’m waiting for your reply”, not “I await for your reply”.
“Looking forward” without “to”
“Looking forward” has a second meaning that has nothing to do with excitement: thinking about the future, especially in reports, speeches and business writing. It usually opens a sentence and is followed by a comma.
- “Looking forward, we plan to open two more branches next year.”
- “Looking forward, the main risk is rising energy costs.”
Alternatives for this sense are “Going forward” (common in business, though some readers find it jargon), “In the future”, “From now on”, “Looking ahead” and “In the coming months”. “Looking ahead” is the closest match and sounds a little less corporate.
In cover letters and job applications
A cover letter usually ends with one line of anticipation. Pick one; don’t use three.
- “I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience fits the role.”
- “I look forward to the possibility of contributing to your team.”
- “Thank you for considering my application. I hope to speak with you soon.”
- “I am eager to bring my project management experience to the team at Northfield.”
- “I would be glad to provide any further information you need.”
After an interview, the thank-you email can say “I enjoyed learning more about the role and look forward to hearing about the next steps.” It is polite, specific and does not sound pushy.
Three sample messages
To a new manager before your start date: “Hi Sam, thanks for sending the onboarding pack. I’ve read through it and I’m keen to get started on the 3rd. Is there anything you’d like me to look at beforehand? Best, Leila”
To a client confirming a visit: “Dear Ms Adeyemi, thank you for confirming. We are pleased to welcome you and Mr Smith on the 14th at 10 a.m., and I have reserved the meeting room for the morning. I look forward to showing you the new facility.”
To a friend: “Flights are booked! Eight days till Lisbon and I’m counting down every one of them. Can’t wait to finally see your new flat.”
Notice that each message uses just one anticipation phrase, and that the surrounding details (a date, a room, a flat) do more to sound sincere than a stronger adjective would.
British and American differences
- British: “I’m keen to…”, “I’m buzzing”, “Roll on Friday”, “It’s in the diary”.
- American: “I’m psyched”, “I’m excited for…”, “It’s on my calendar”, “I’m pumped”.
- Everywhere: “I can’t wait”, “I look forward to”, “I’m so excited”.
“Keen” in American English can sound slightly old-fashioned, and “pumped” in British English can sound like gym slang, but both are understood.
Tone and register tips
- Don’t end every email with it. If “Looking forward to hearing from you” closes all your messages, it stops meaning anything. Sometimes “Thanks” or “Best” is enough.
- Match the energy. “I’m dying to see the proposal” in a client email sounds odd; “I can’t wait!” in a reply to a formal interview invitation sounds too casual.
- “Eager” vs “anxious”. “I’m anxious to hear the results” is used to mean eager, but it also suggests worry. If you are simply excited, use “eager”.
- Adding a reason makes the line feel genuine: “I’m looking forward to the workshop, especially the session on data visualisation.”
Other common mistakes
| Mistake | Better | Why |
|---|---|---|
| I’m looking forward for the trip. | I’m looking forward to the trip. | The preposition is always “to”. |
| I look forward to it to happen. | I’m looking forward to it. | “It” already names the event; nothing follows. |
| Looking forward to hear from you soon. | Looking forward to hearing from you. | -ing after “to”; “soon” is optional and can sound pushy. |
| I can’t wait seeing you. | I can’t wait to see you. | “Can’t wait” takes the infinitive. |
| I’m excited to the party. | I’m excited about (or for) the party. | “Excited to” needs a verb: “excited to go to the party”. |
| I am looking forward to meet you and to discuss the role. | I am looking forward to meeting you and discussing the role. | Both verbs take -ing, and the second “to” can go. |
Practice
Correct the sentence or choose the better option.
- I’m looking forward to work with you.
- Formal cover letter: a) “Can’t wait to hear back!” b) “I look forward to hearing from you.”
- I can’t wait ______ my grandparents. (seeing / to see)
- We look forward ______ you on the 14th. (to welcome / to welcoming)
- Text to a friend about a concert: a) “I anticipate the concert.” b) “So excited for Saturday!”
- I’m eager ______ the project. (to start / to starting)
- Reply to a dinner invitation from a friend: a) “Wouldn’t miss it!” b) “I await your dinner.”
- Choose the right meaning: “I’m over the moon about the offer.” a) I’m waiting for an offer. b) I’m delighted I received the offer.
Answers
- I’m looking forward to working with you.
- b
- to see
- to welcoming
- b
- to start
- a
- b
Rewrite for the setting
Rewrite “I’m looking forward to it” for each reader. Sample answers follow each one.
- A recruiter who has just offered you an interview. Sample: “Thank you for the invitation. I look forward to meeting the team on Tuesday.”
- Your best friend, who has booked a weekend away for you both. Sample: “Yes! Counting down the days already.”
- A colleague who has scheduled a planning call. Sample: “Great, it’s in the diary. Speak on Thursday.”
- Your new class, on the first day of term. Sample: “I’m excited to get to know you all and to read your work this term.”
- A client who has agreed to visit your office. Sample: “We are pleased to welcome you on the 14th and look forward to showing you around.”
Quick answers
Is it “looking forward to see” or “looking forward to seeing”?
“Looking forward to seeing”. The “to” is a preposition, so the verb after it takes -ing.
What is a professional way to say “looking forward to”?
“I look forward to…”, “I am eager to…” or “I would welcome the opportunity to…”.
What can I say instead of “I can’t wait”?
“I’m so excited”, “I’m counting down the days”, “I’m dying to…” or, more calmly, “I’m really looking forward to it”.
Is “looking forward to it” rude or too short?
No. It is a friendly, complete reply to a plan. For a formal invitation, add “Thank you, I look forward to it.”
Is “looking forward” formal?
It sits in the middle. “I look forward to…” is formal enough for any business letter; “Looking forward to it!” is friendly and casual. That flexibility is why people overuse it.
What does “looking forward” mean at the start of a sentence?
“Looking forward, …” means “thinking about the future” and is common in reports: “Looking forward, we expect sales to grow.” “Looking ahead” is a close alternative.
Is “eagerly awaiting” correct?
Yes: “We are eagerly awaiting the results.” It is slightly formal and works well in announcements. Remember that “await” takes no “for”.
Can I say “I’m looking forward for”?
No. The preposition is always “to”: looking forward to something.
Excitement has its own figurative language too; see idioms for excitement for phrases like “on cloud nine” and “like a kid in a candy store”, and the figurative language guide for how idioms work.