look forward
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle forward
Meanings
Feel pleased about something that will happen
Why “forward”? You feel pleased about an expected future event.
“I look forward to seeing you.”
“Maya looks forward to her first day at college.”
Memory hook
Your eyes point forward to a future event you're happy about.
Common mistake
I look forward to meet you.
I look forward to meeting you.
Here to is a preposition, so use the -ing form. This is the single most common phrasal-verb mistake.
Natural collocations
The word partners “look forward” most often appears with — learn the phrase, not just the verb.
Don't confuse with
Look forward means feel pleased about something that will happen. Look ahead means think about what will happen in the future.
Look forward means feel pleased about a future event. Look back means think about events in the past.
Test yourself
“I look forward to seeing you.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
look ahead
A contrast learners often mix up
Think about what will happen in the future
look back
A contrast learners often mix up
Think about events in the past
look after
Same base verb: look
Take care of someone or something
look around
Same base verb: look
Look at all parts of a place or view; Visit a place to see what is there, especially before deciding to buy
look at
Same base verb: look
Direct your eyes toward someone or something
look away
Same base verb: look
Turn your eyes in a different direction
look behind
Same base verb: look
Turn your head to see what is at your back
look down
Same base verb: look
Direct your eyes downward
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