If you have ever written a professional email, you have probably wondered, “Is it correct to say ‘looking forward to working with you’?” The answer is yes. This expression is grammatically correct, natural, and widely used in professional English.
The phrase communicates positive anticipation about future collaboration. You can use it when starting a new project, joining a team, beginning a business relationship, or responding to someone you expect to work with soon.
Here’s why:
The grammar depends on one small but important rule. After “look forward to,” the word “to” functions as a preposition, not as part of an infinitive. Therefore, the verb that follows should normally appear in its -ing form.
The Core Rule Explained Simply
The standard construction is:
look forward to + noun
or
look forward to + verb-ing
So, these are correct:
- I look forward to working with you.
- We look forward to working with your team.
- She looks forward to meeting you.
- They look forward to hearing from you.
The key point is that “to” does not introduce an infinitive here. It is a preposition, which means a noun, pronoun, or gerund can follow it.
Let’s make this concrete.
Compare these two patterns:
I want to work with you.
I look forward to working with you.
In the first sentence, “to work” is an infinitive. In the second, “to” is a preposition, so “working” is the correct form.
Category 1: “Look Forward To + -ing”
This is the standard grammatical pattern when you are talking about something you anticipate positively.
Examples include:
- I look forward to working with you.
- I look forward to meeting the team.
- We look forward to discussing the proposal.
- She looks forward to starting her new role.
- They look forward to receiving your response.
The action after “to” is treated as a gerund or gerund-participial form.
Category 2: “Look Forward To + Noun”
You can also place a noun or noun phrase after “look forward to.”
For example:
- I look forward to the meeting.
- We look forward to your response.
- She looks forward to the opportunity.
- They look forward to the conference.
- I look forward to our collaboration.
Both categories follow the same underlying rule.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Situation | Example | Meaning | Correct Usage |
| Future collaboration | I look forward to working with you. | I am pleased about our future work together. | Correct |
| Future meeting | I look forward to meeting you. | I anticipate meeting you positively. | Correct |
| Future response | I look forward to hearing from you. | I anticipate receiving your reply. | Correct |
| Future task | I look forward to discussing this project. | I anticipate discussing the project. | Correct |
| Incorrect infinitive pattern | I look forward to work with you. | Intended to express future collaboration. | Incorrect |
| Incorrect infinitive pattern | I look forward to meet you. | Intended to express anticipation. | Incorrect |
| Noun after “to” | I look forward to the meeting. | I anticipate the meeting positively. | Correct |
| More formal noun phrase | We look forward to your response. | We anticipate receiving your response. | Correct |
Deep Dive Into Category 1: “Looking Forward to Working With You”
The phrase “looking forward to working with you” is particularly common in professional communication.
It works because “working” follows the preposition “to.” The construction can appear after different forms of the verb look, depending on the sentence.
For example:
- I look forward to working with you.
- We look forward to working with you.
- She looks forward to working with you.
- They look forward to working with you.
- I am looking forward to working with you.
The meaning remains broadly similar, but the grammatical structure and tone can change slightly.
When to Use “Looking Forward to Working With You”
Use the phrase when you want to express positive anticipation about future cooperation.
It is appropriate when:
- You have accepted a new job.
- You are beginning a project.
- You are starting work with a client.
- You are joining a new department.
- You are partnering with another organization.
- You have been introduced to a new colleague.
- You are preparing to collaborate with someone.
For example:
Thank you for the introduction. I am looking forward to working with you on the new project.
This sounds professional, friendly, and natural.
Another example:
I appreciate the opportunity and look forward to working with you and your team.
This version is slightly more formal and works well in business correspondence.
“I Am Looking Forward to Working With You”
The form “I am looking forward to working with you” uses the present progressive.
It often sounds warm, conversational, and immediate. It can be especially natural when you are personally expressing enthusiasm about an upcoming interaction.
For example:
It was great speaking with you today. I am looking forward to working with you on this project.
The phrase does not necessarily mean that the collaboration has already started. The speaker can use it for something expected to happen soon.
“I Look Forward to Working With You”
The version “I look forward to working with you” is also completely correct.
It often sounds more polished and conventional in business writing.
For example:
Thank you for your time today. I look forward to working with you.
This is an effective closing sentence for an email.
It can also be used in a longer sentence:
We appreciate your partnership and look forward to working with you throughout the next phase of the project.
Here’s the practical distinction:
“I am looking forward to…” often feels more personal and conversational.
“I look forward to…” often feels more concise and businesslike.
Neither is grammatically wrong.
Quick Test
Use this checklist whenever you write the expression:
- Does the sentence contain look forward to?
- Is to functioning as a preposition?
- Does a verb follow to?
- If yes, have you changed that verb to its -ing form?
- Are you describing something you anticipate positively?
If the answer to all five questions is yes, your structure is probably correct.
For example:
I look forward to + working with you.
Correct.
I look forward to + work with you.
Incorrect.
I look forward to + meeting you.
Correct.
I look forward to + meet you.
Incorrect.
Deep Dive Into Category 2: “Look Forward To” With Nouns
The rule becomes easier when you remember that “to” can be followed by a noun.
Consider:
I look forward to the meeting.
Here, “meeting” is a noun. It is not the verb form in a grammatical sense.
Now compare:
I look forward to meeting you.
Here, “meeting” refers to the action of meeting and functions as a gerund-participial form.
Both sentences are grammatically valid.
The structure is therefore:
look forward to + noun
or:
look forward to + -ing form
Examples With Nouns
Consider these examples:
We look forward to the conference.
I look forward to your response.
She looks forward to the opportunity.
They look forward to the next stage.
These sentences do not require an -ing verb because the word after “to” is a noun or noun phrase.
Examples With -ing Forms
Now consider:
We look forward to attending the conference.
I look forward to receiving your response.
She looks forward to exploring the opportunity.
They look forward to moving to the next stage.
The grammatical principle remains consistent.
The Pattern With Possessives
You may occasionally see structures such as:
I look forward to your joining us.
This is grammatically possible, although it can sound more formal than everyday business English.
A simpler version is often:
I look forward to you joining us.
In many modern contexts, writers prefer the simpler construction because it feels more natural.
The important lesson is that the preposition “to” still does not require an infinitive.
The Meaning Shift or Nuance
Although “I look forward to working with you” and “I am looking forward to working with you” communicate essentially the same idea, they can create slightly different impressions.
I look forward to working with you is concise and conventional.
I am looking forward to working with you can sound warmer and more personal.
The difference is primarily about tone and grammatical aspect, not correctness.
Consider these examples.
Thank you for selecting our company. We look forward to working with you.
This sounds polished and professional.
Now:
It was wonderful meeting you. I am looking forward to working with you.
This feels more personal and conversational.
Neither expression is inherently superior. The appropriate choice depends on the surrounding message.
There is also a difference between “look forward to working with you” and “look forward to work with you.” This difference is not merely stylistic.
The first follows the established grammatical pattern.
The second incorrectly treats “to” as though it introduced an infinitive.
Why the Confusion Persists
The confusion exists largely because English uses “to” in more than one grammatical role.
In an infinitive construction, we commonly see:
to work
to meet
to discuss
to learn
For example:
I want to work with you.
We plan to meet tomorrow.
She hopes to discuss the issue.
Here, “to” introduces an infinitive.
But English also uses “to” as a preposition.
Examples include:
I am committed to improving.
She is accustomed to working late.
We object to changing the schedule.
I look forward to hearing from you.
In these examples, the following verb uses an -ing form.
This creates a common learning trap.
A writer sees “to” and automatically chooses the base form of a verb. But the correct choice depends on what grammatical role “to” is playing.
That’s the real issue.
Formal vs Casual Contexts
The phrase “I look forward to working with you” is highly suitable for professional communication.
You can use it in:
- Business emails
- Job-related correspondence
- Client communication
- Project introductions
- Partnership announcements
- Professional networking
- Academic collaboration
- Workplace messages
For example:
Thank you for sharing the project details. I look forward to working with you and your team.
This is professional without being unnecessarily formal.
More Formal Examples
For a formal business email, you might write:
We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate and look forward to working with you on this initiative.
Or:
Thank you for your confidence in our team. We look forward to working with you during the implementation phase.
These versions are appropriate when communication needs a polished tone.
More Casual Examples
For a colleague or familiar professional contact, you could write:
Great speaking with you today. Looking forward to working with you!
Or:
Excited to get started. Looking forward to working with you.
The second type is more relaxed because the sentence is shorter and more conversational.
Can You Say “Looking Forward to Working With You” Alone?
Yes.
In informal or semi-formal communication, “Looking forward to working with you” can function as a sentence fragment because the subject and auxiliary verb are understood.
The complete form is:
I am looking forward to working with you.
The shorter form:
Looking forward to working with you.
is common in emails and messages.
For highly formal writing, however, the complete sentence can provide a more polished structure.
Case Studies and Pop Culture Examples
The expression “look forward to” appears frequently in professional, institutional, academic, and everyday English.
Consider a business announcement:
We look forward to working with our new partners.
The phrase signals anticipated cooperation without making an exaggerated claim.
Now consider an academic setting:
I look forward to working with the research team.
The construction is equally natural in scholarly communication.
In workplace communication, you might see:
I look forward to working with everyone on the upcoming project.
The phrase works because the intended meaning is straightforward, future-oriented collaboration.
Workplace Example
Imagine that a manager sends this message:
Welcome to the team. I look forward to working with you.
The sentence communicates that the manager anticipates the professional relationship positively.
Now imagine a new employee responding:
Thank you. I am looking forward to working with you and the rest of the team.
The response is natural and grammatically sound.
Academic Example
A professor might write:
I look forward to working with you on your research proposal.
A student might respond:
Thank you for your guidance. I look forward to working with you this semester.
Again, the construction remains unchanged.
Customer-Service Example
A service provider might write:
We appreciate your business and look forward to working with you.
This is common because the expression communicates professionalism without sounding overly enthusiastic.
Advanced Scenarios and Flowchart
Sometimes the easiest way to choose the correct structure is to follow a simple decision process.
Start here:
Are you using the expression “look forward to”?
↓ Yes
Is the next word a noun?
↓ Yes → Use the noun.
I look forward to the meeting.
↓ No
Is the next word a verb describing an anticipated action?
↓ Yes → Use the -ing form.
I look forward to meeting you.
↓ Need to express collaboration?
Use:
I look forward to working with you.
↓ Want a warmer, more conversational tone?
Use:
I am looking forward to working with you.
↓ Want a concise professional closing?
Use:
I look forward to working with you.
The flowchart leads back to the same central principle: “look forward to” is followed by a noun or an -ing form when a verb is required.
Quick Reference Table
| Expression | Status | Reason |
| I look forward to working with you. | Correct | “Working” follows the preposition “to.” |
| I am looking forward to working with you. | Correct | Present progressive + gerund-participial form. |
| We look forward to working with you. | Correct | Standard professional construction. |
| I look forward to the opportunity. | Correct | “Opportunity” is a noun. |
| I look forward to work with you. | Incorrect | Base verb incorrectly follows prepositional “to.” |
| I look forward to meet you. | Incorrect | “Meet” should be “meeting.” |
| Looking forward to working with you. | Common | Shortened conversational form. |
Common Mistakes That Lower Quality
Even experienced writers sometimes make mistakes with this phrase.
1. Using “to work”
One of the most common errors is:
I look forward to work with you.
The correct version is:
I look forward to working with you.
The problem is that “to” is a preposition in this construction.
2. Using “to meet”
The same problem appears here:
I look forward to meet you.
Correct:
I look forward to meeting you.
Once you recognize the pattern, the correction becomes automatic.
3. Thinking “Looking Forward” Is Incorrect
Some writers assume that “looking forward to working with you” is too informal because it uses a progressive construction.
That is not true.
The phrase is perfectly standard in professional English.
4. Overusing the Phrase
Although the expression is correct, repeating it in every email can make your writing feel formulaic.
For example, if every message ends with:
I look forward to working with you.
The phrase can lose some impact.
You can sometimes vary the wording:
I appreciate the opportunity to collaborate.
I am pleased to begin this project with you.
We are excited to move forward together.
The best alternative depends on the exact context.
5. Using It When No Future Interaction Is Expected
Look forward to implies anticipation.
If there is no expected future interaction, the phrase may sound strange.
For example, after a simple customer-service transaction that is finished, “I look forward to working with you” may be unnecessary.
Precision means matching the expression to the situation.
6. Confusing “Looking Forward” With “Looking Ahead”
These expressions are related but not identical.
Looking forward to means anticipating something positively.
Looking ahead means considering or planning for the future.
For example:
I am looking forward to working with you.
means you anticipate the collaboration positively.
We are looking ahead to next year’s expansion.
means you are thinking about future plans.
Memory Hacks That Actually Work
You do not need to memorize a complicated grammar explanation.
Use a simple mental rule:
Look forward to = expect something positively.
Then remember:
If an action follows “to,” use -ing.
Think:
look forward to + doing
look forward to + meeting
look forward to + working
look forward to + hearing
look forward to + receiving
This gives you a practical pattern.
The “Preposition Test”
Try replacing the action with a noun.
I look forward to the meeting.
That sounds natural.
Now replace the noun with the action:
I look forward to meeting you.
The relationship becomes easier to see.
The “Never Base Form” Shortcut
When “look forward to” is followed directly by a verb, remember:
Do not use the base form.
Avoid:
to work
to meet
to discuss
to hear
after look forward to.
Instead use:
working
meeting
discussing
hearing
This shortcut can prevent one of the most common errors in professional English.
Build a Personal Pattern Bank
Memorize a few complete examples:
I look forward to working with you.
I look forward to hearing from you.
I look forward to meeting you.
We look forward to receiving your response.
Once these patterns become familiar, similar sentences become much easier to construct correctly.
Why Precision Matters, SEO and Authority
Correct grammar matters because readers often judge the credibility of a message through small language choices.
A single grammatical mistake may not destroy an otherwise strong piece of writing. However, repeated errors can make professional content feel less polished.
This matters particularly in SEO content, business writing, educational articles, websites, and professional emails.
Search engines do not simply reward a page because every sentence follows a basic grammar rule. Search visibility depends on many factors, including relevance, usefulness, content quality, technical performance, and how well the page satisfies the user’s search intent.
Still, grammatical precision supports the larger goal of creating clear, trustworthy, readable content.
Consider a grammar website explaining the phrase:
“I look forward to work with you.”
If the article itself contains inconsistent grammar explanations, readers may question the site’s authority.
By contrast, a precise explanation can demonstrate subject knowledge.
Here’s the bigger point:
Grammar accuracy supports communication quality.
That is especially important when the audience is actively searching for a language answer.
A reader asking “Is it correct to say ‘looking forward to working with you’?” usually wants three things: a direct answer, a grammatical explanation, and examples they can confidently reuse.
A strong article should provide all three.
A Quick Quiz
Fill in each blank with the correct form of the word in parentheses.
1. I look forward to ______ with you on this project.
(work)
2. We look forward to ______ your response.
(receive)
3. She is looking forward to ______ the new team.
(meet)
4. I look forward to ______ from you soon.
(hear)
5. They look forward to ______ the partnership.
(develop)
6. I look forward to ______ the conference next month.
(attend)
Answers
1. working
The correct sentence is: I look forward to working with you on this project.
2. receiving
The correct sentence is: We look forward to receiving your response.
3. meeting
The correct sentence is: She is looking forward to meeting the new team.
4. hearing
The correct sentence is: I look forward to hearing from you soon.
5. developing
The correct sentence is: They look forward to developing the partnership.
6. attending
The correct sentence is: I look forward to attending the conference next month.
The central rule is simple: when a verb follows “look forward to,” use the -ing form.
So, “I look forward to working with you” is completely correct. It is professional, natural, and appropriate for emails, workplace communication, business relationships, academic settings, and many other contexts. “I am looking forward to working with you” is also correct and can sound slightly warmer or more conversational. The incorrect construction is “I look forward to work with you,” because the base verb “work” does not fit the grammatical pattern. Remember the formula: look forward to + noun or -ing form, and you will be able to use this expression confidently and accurately.
Conclusion
“Looking forward to working with you” is completely correct and remains one of the most useful expressions in professional English. The phrase communicates positive anticipation about future cooperation, whether you are beginning a new project, joining a team, meeting a client, or establishing a professional relationship.
The key grammar rule is easy to remember: after “look forward to,” a verb should normally appear in its -ing form because “to” functions as a preposition. Therefore, “I look forward to working with you” is correct, while “I look forward to work with you” is not. Understanding this distinction helps you write emails and professional messages with greater accuracy and confidence.
The choice between “I look forward to working with you” and “I am looking forward to working with you” is mainly a matter of tone and sentence structure, not correctness. The first version often sounds concise and polished, making it especially suitable for formal business correspondence.
The second can feel slightly warmer and more conversational, while the shortened “Looking forward to working with you” is common in friendly emails and workplace messages. What matters most is using the correct grammatical pattern and matching the expression to your context. Once you remember “look forward to + noun or -ing form,” you can confidently use this phrase in professional, academic, and everyday communication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “looking forward to working with you” grammatically correct?
Yes, “looking forward to working with you” is grammatically correct. In this expression, “to” is a preposition, so when it is followed by a verb, that verb takes the -ing form. Therefore, “working” is correct. The complete sentence can be “I am looking forward to working with you,” while the shorter form is also common in emails and messages.
Is “I look forward to working with you” correct?
Yes, “I look forward to working with you” is fully correct and widely used in professional English. It expresses positive anticipation about future collaboration. The phrase is suitable for business emails, workplace communication, client relationships, academic projects, and professional introductions. Its concise structure also makes it an effective way to close an email or acknowledge an upcoming professional relationship.
Is “I look forward to work with you” correct?
No, “I look forward to work with you” is not grammatically correct in standard English. The problem is the verb form after “look forward to.” Because “to” is functioning as a preposition, the following verb should use the -ing form. The correct sentence is “I look forward to working with you.” This same rule applies to phrases such as “look forward to meeting” and “look forward to hearing.”
Should I say “looking forward to working” or “looking forward to work”?
You should say “looking forward to working.” For example, “I am looking forward to working with you” is correct. The construction “looking forward to work” is incorrect when “work” is intended as a verb. The important pattern is look forward to + verb-ing. Remembering this formula makes it easier to avoid the common mistake of treating the “to” as though it introduces an infinitive.
Is “I am looking forward to working with you” professional?
Yes, “I am looking forward to working with you” is professional and natural. It can sound slightly warmer and more personal than “I look forward to working with you.” You can use it when communicating with a new colleague, client, manager, business partner, or project team. It expresses enthusiasm without being overly informal, making it appropriate for many professional situations.
Is “I look forward to working with you” formal or casual?
“I look forward to working with you” is generally professional and can range from moderately formal to neutral. It is especially common in business emails, workplace correspondence, and professional introductions. The surrounding wording determines how formal the complete message feels. For a highly formal email, you can pair it with polished language. For a friendly workplace message, it can stand naturally on its own.
Can I use “looking forward to working with you” at the end of an email?
Yes, you can use “Looking forward to working with you” at the end of an email, particularly when the message has a friendly or moderately formal tone. It is a shortened version of “I am looking forward to working with you.” In very formal correspondence, using the complete sentence may sound more polished. Both versions are understandable and common in professional communication.
What is the difference between “I look forward to” and “I am looking forward to”?
Both forms express positive anticipation, but they can create slightly different tones. “I look forward to” is concise and conventional, so it is especially common in professional email closings. “I am looking forward to” sounds somewhat more conversational and personal. Neither is grammatically better than the other. Your choice should depend on the tone and context of the message.
Can I say “looking forward to working with you” to a new client?
Yes, “looking forward to working with you” is appropriate when communicating with a new client. It conveys enthusiasm about the upcoming professional relationship without making the message unnecessarily complicated. For example, you could write, “Thank you for choosing our services. I am looking forward to working with you.” This wording is courteous, professional, and suitable for many client-facing situations.
What is the easiest way to remember the grammar rule?
Use the formula “look forward to + noun or -ing.” If a noun follows “to,” use the noun, as in “I look forward to the meeting.” If a verb follows “to,” use its -ing form, as in “I look forward to meeting you.” This simple pattern also works with working, hearing, receiving, discussing, attending, and many other verbs.
