What Does “Look forward to doing sth” Mean?
“Look forward to doing sth” means to feel excited or eager about something that will happen in the future.
Introduction
The phrase “look forward to doing sth” is commonly used in English to express anticipation or excitement about a future event or activity. When you say you “look forward to doing something,” it means you are happy or excited about that upcoming action. Understanding the “look forward to doing sth meaning” helps learners use this polite and positive expression correctly in daily conversation. It is often used in both formal and informal situations, making it a versatile phrase. This guide will explain how to use it, provide examples, compare it with similar phrases, and help you avoid common mistakes.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: look forward to doing something
- Type: Transitive (requires an object)
- Level: B1 (Intermediate)
- Short meaning: To feel excited about a future event or action
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Look forward to” is a phrasal verb followed by a noun or a gerund (verb + -ing). It is inseparable, meaning you cannot place words between “look forward” and “to.”
Correct patterns:
- look forward to + noun (e.g., look forward to the party)
- look forward to + gerund (e.g., look forward to meeting you)
Note: Because “to” is part of the phrasal verb, it is always followed by a noun or gerund, not an infinitive verb.
How to Use “Look forward to doing sth”?
Use “look forward to doing sth” when you want to express positive anticipation about an action or event in the future. It is polite and often used in emails, conversations, and formal writing.
Examples of contexts:
- Talking about upcoming meetings or events
- Expressing excitement for holidays or trips
- Showing eagerness to meet someone
Examples
Here are some natural sentences using “look forward to doing sth in a sentence”:
- I look forward to seeing you at the conference next week.
- She looks forward to starting her new job in July.
- We are looking forward to celebrating your birthday together.
- They look forward to traveling abroad this summer.
- He looks forward to improving his English skills.
Common Mistakes
Many learners confuse the structure after “look forward to.” Remember, “to” is a preposition here, so it must be followed by a noun or gerund, not an infinitive.
Incorrect: I look forward to meet you.
Correct: I look forward to meeting you.
Incorrect: She looks forward to go on vacation.
Correct: She looks forward to going on vacation.
Differences / Synonyms
“Look forward to doing sth” is similar to phrases like “anticipate” or “can’t wait to do sth,” but it is more polite and formal than “can’t wait.”
- Anticipate doing sth: More formal and sometimes implies planning.
- Can’t wait to do sth: Very informal and expresses strong excitement.
- Look forward to doing sth: Polite, neutral, and widely used in both formal and informal English.
Common Collocations
Common objects or activities used with “look forward to” include:
- Meeting – Looking forward to meeting someone means you are eager to see them.
- Seeing – Often used when talking about future visits or events.
- Working – Expresses eagerness to start a job or project.
- Hearing – Used in formal communication, such as emails (“I look forward to hearing from you”).
- Going – Refers to upcoming trips or outings.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of look forward to doing sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “look forward to doing sth”:
Anna: Are you excited about the trip next month?
Ben: Yes, I really look forward to visiting the beach and relaxing.
Anna: Me too! I look forward to trying new foods there.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb:
- I look forward to ______ (meet) you at the party.
- She looks forward to ______ (start) her new course.
- We are looking forward to ______ (see) the movie tonight.
- They look forward to ______ (travel) to Japan next year.
FAQs
- Q: Is “look forward to” followed by “to” + infinitive?
A: No, it is followed by a noun or gerund (verb+ing). - Q: Can I use “look forward to” in formal emails?
A: Yes, it is polite and common in formal writing. - Q: What is the difference between “look forward to” and “wait for”?
A: “Look forward to” expresses excitement, while “wait for” is neutral and only means to stay until something happens. - Q: Is “look forward to” separable?
A: No, it is inseparable; you cannot place words between “look forward” and “to.” - Q: Can I say “I look forward to see you”?
A: No, say “I look forward to seeing you.”
