‘I’m looking forward to’ is a fantastic English phrase to use when you are talking about upcoming plans and events that you are excited about. English people use it ALL THE TIME!
What does it mean?
I’m looking forward to is to describe your positive feelings about something that will happen in the future. You are essentially saying: I’m waiting for this thing to happen and I’ll be very happy when it does!
For example
Perhaps you have booked a holiday for next month and now you are really ready to go because you’ve been working hard recently, so you are looking forward to your holiday
Perhaps you haven’t seen your Mum for a long time but next week she is coming to visit you, so you are looking forward to seeing her.
Notice the pattern
This lovely chunk of language can be used with two different structures.
1) subject + be + looking forward to + noun (e.g. We’re looking forward to our holiday)
2) subject + be + looking forward to + ing verb (e.g. I’m looking forward to seeing my Mum)
How can use ‘I’m looking forward to’ in a conversation?
You: Did I tell you I’ve booked two weeks in Barbados?
Your friend: Oh wow, I bet you can’t wait!
You: Yeah. I’m really looking forward to just lying on the beach and drinking cocktails all day!
By the way, I bet you can’t wait is also a great expression that you can use to make yourself sound like a native English speaker 😉
A negative example
BUT…. you can also change the meaning to become negative by adding ‘not’
You: Apparently we’ve got a 3 hour meeting at work tomorrow!
Your friend: I know. I’m not looking forward to that at all!
Quick English writing challenge
What are YOU looking forward to in YOUR future? See if you can write an English example using this phrase and leave me a comment below 🙂
15 Responses
I am looking forward to having sunny days in Antalya this summer!
Great example Hatice! And I totally agree – I can’t wait for a bit of sunshine 🙂
I am looking forward to endding the war in my country.
I am looking forward to hearing good news about my sister.
Well done for trying the writing challenge! These are great, heartfelt examples Amani.
Lookin forward to, discibe something that will happen in the future, and it is a good expression the student could use in a conversation with someone.I am lloking forward to receiving some more expressions like this,thank you .
Haha, that’s a brilliant example Julio! You’ve used the expression perfectly – more materials on their way 😉
I am looking forward to seeing my husband in Thailand next week.
That’s a brilliant (and grammatically perfect) example Krueyok! I hope you have a lovely time with your husband 🙂
I m looking forward to being a part of your company sucess
What a good example Hamza – and thank you!!
I’m looking forward to visiting my son in the village soon
Ah that’s a lovely use of this phrase Linda! Enjoy your time with your son!
Yesterday, I handed my application and said to the manager I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon. Did I use the phrase correctly?
What’s other alternative to this phrase to use it in daily conversations?
You did Shorouq – Nice example!
In a conversation with a friend, you could also say ‘I can’t wait to ….’ For example, I’m looking forward to seeing my family this weekend OR I can’t wait to see my family this weekend.
Great question 😊
i looking foreword to learn English