ENGLISH
REFERENCE

look forward to sth

phr. v..
B1 Intermediate Oxford

phr. v.. to feel happy and excited about something that is going to happen in the future.

phr. v.. to anticipate a future event with pleasure; a multi-word verb requiring a direct object, often used in semi-formal correspondence.


SIMPLE

I look forward to our holiday next month.

CONTEXTUAL

We are all looking forward to meeting the new manager at the team lunch on Friday.

COMPLEX

While the shareholders look forward to increased dividends, the employees remain cautious about the proposed restructuring of the company.

Particles
forward to
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
look + forward + to + object
Usage

the word 'to' is a preposition here, so it must be followed by a noun or a gerund (-ing form).

Teaching tip

this is the classic example for teaching that 'to' is not always part of an infinitive; use it to practice the gerund after prepositions.

Pitfall

I look forward to meet you.I look forward to meeting you.the word 'to' is a preposition in this phrase, so you must use the -ing form of the verb.

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