Quick Answer:
“Looking forward to it” means you feel pleased or excited about something in the future. If you want variety, clarity, or better tone control, try these alternatives: I’m excited about, I eagerly await, I can’t wait for, I anticipate, I’m keen on.
The phrase “looking forward to it” is one of the most common ways to express positive anticipation in English. People use it in conversations, emails, meetings, and messages to show interest or excitement about a future event.
However, because it’s so common, it can feel repetitive, informal, or weak in professional settings. That’s why learning alternatives to looking forward to it is essential for clear, fluent communication.
Expanding your vocabulary helps you express excitement in English more precisely while matching the right tone for formal, casual, or professional situations.
“The right phrase can turn simple anticipation into confident communication.”
Quick Categories Overview
Formal alternatives to “looking forward to it”
I eagerly await, I anticipate with interest, I look forward with anticipation, I welcome the opportunity
Pro Tip: Use these in emails, formal letters, or academic contexts.
Casual alternatives
Can’t wait, really excited about it, super excited, counting down the days
Pro Tip: Best for friendly conversations and relaxed messaging.
Professional alternatives
I look forward to our discussion, I’m keen to proceed, I welcome the next steps, I appreciate the opportunity
Pro Tip: Keep language neutral and respectful in workplace communication.
Informal expressions
Excited for it, hyped about it, stoked for it, pumped for it
Pro Tip: Avoid these in formal writing or business emails.
Common Mistakes When Using “Looking Forward to It”
- Using it in very formal writing
Example: I am looking forward to it, dear Sir. - Overusing it in emails
Example: Looking forward to it repeated in every message. - Using it without context
Example: I’m looking forward to it. (What is “it”?) - Using it for negative events
Example: Looking forward to the meeting about layoffs. - Using it in professional sign-offs incorrectly
Example: Looking forward to it, Regards.
“Tone awareness is what separates fluent English from basic English.”
What Does “Looking Forward to It” Mean?
Definition:
“Looking forward to it” means feeling pleased, hopeful, or excited about something that will happen in the future.
Grammar:
It uses the verb “look forward to” followed by a noun or verb ending in -ing.
Example:
I’m looking forward to meeting you tomorrow.
When to Use “Looking Forward to It”
Common contexts include:
- Social plans
- Friendly emails
- Casual workplace communication
- Spoken English
Spoken vs Written: Suitable for both
Formal vs Informal: Mostly informal to neutral
Is It Professional or Polite to Say “Looking Forward to It”?
- Polite: Yes
- Professional: No, in most cases
Business Example:
I look forward to our discussion tomorrow.
Pros and Cons of Using “Looking Forward to It”
Pros
- Simple and natural
- Friendly tone
- Widely understood
- Easy for learners
Cons
- Too informal for formal writing
- Overused
- Limited emotional range
- Weak in professional contexts
“Professional English thrives on variety, not repetition.”
Other Ways to Say “Looking Forward to It” (With Examples)
These other ways to say looking forward to it help you sound fluent, confident, and precise. Choose based on tone, audience, and situation to express excitement in English naturally.
Formal and Professional Alternatives
1. Phrase: I eagerly await
Meaning: Strong anticipation
Explanation: Very formal and polished
Example Sentence: I eagerly await your response.
Best Use: Formal emails
Worst Use: Casual chats
Tone: Formal, respectful
Context Variability: professional
2. Phrase: I anticipate with interest
Meaning: Thoughtful expectation
Explanation: Neutral and professional
Example Sentence: I anticipate our collaboration with interest.
Best Use: Business writing
Worst Use: Informal texts
Tone: Calm, professional
Context Variability: professional
3. Phrase: I welcome the opportunity
Meaning: Positive acceptance
Explanation: Shows appreciation
Example Sentence: I welcome the opportunity to discuss this further.
Best Use: Workplace
Worst Use: Personal plans
Tone: Polite, formal
Context Variability: professional
4. Phrase: I look forward to our discussion
Meaning: Professional anticipation
Explanation: Clear and respectful
Example Sentence: I look forward to our discussion next week.
Best Use: Meetings
Worst Use: Casual talk
Tone: Neutral, professional
Context Variability: professional
5. Phrase: I’m keen to proceed
Meaning: Ready and interested
Explanation: Action-oriented
Example Sentence: I’m keen to proceed with the proposal.
Best Use: Business decisions
Worst Use: Social plans
Tone: Confident, professional
Context Variability: professional
Casual and Informal Alternatives
6. Phrase: I can’t wait
Meaning: Strong excitement
Explanation: Very casual
Example Sentence: I can’t wait to see you.
Best Use: Friends
Worst Use: Formal writing
Tone: Excited, friendly
Context Variability: casual
7. Phrase: I’m excited about it
Meaning: Happy anticipation
Explanation: Neutral and natural
Example Sentence: I’m excited about the project.
Best Use: Mixed settings
Worst Use: Legal writing
Tone: Positive, friendly
Context Variability: casual, professional
8. Phrase: Really looking forward to this
Meaning: Genuine interest
Explanation: Slight emphasis
Example Sentence: I’m really looking forward to this event.
Best Use: Emails
Worst Use: Formal letters
Tone: Warm, polite
Context Variability: casual
9. Phrase: Excited for it
Meaning: Informal enthusiasm
Explanation: Spoken English
Example Sentence: I’m excited for it already.
Best Use: Speech
Worst Use: Writing
Tone: Casual
Context Variability: spoken
10. Phrase: Counting down the days
Meaning: Strong anticipation
Explanation: Idiomatic
Example Sentence: I’m counting down the days until the trip.
Best Use: Personal plans
Worst Use: Professional contexts
Tone: Enthusiastic
Context Variability: casual
Neutral and Versatile Alternatives
11. Phrase: I’m pleased about
Meaning: Feeling satisfied or quietly happy about something.
Explanation: This phrase expresses calm, polite positivity without sounding emotional or casual.
Example Sentence: I’m pleased about the progress we’ve made so far.
Best Use: Work updates
Worst Use: Emotional moments
Tone: Polite, neutral
Context Variability: professional, written
12. Phrase: I’m happy to hear
Meaning: Feeling positive after receiving good news.
Explanation: Often used as a response rather than anticipation, but works well in conversational follow-ups.
Example Sentence: I’m happy to hear that the meeting went well.
Best Use: Responses
Worst Use: Announcements
Tone: Warm, friendly
Context Variability: casual, professional
13. Phrase: I’m glad about it
Meaning: Mild satisfaction or approval.
Explanation: This is simple and natural but emotionally lighter than “excited.”
Example Sentence: I’m glad about the final decision.
Best Use: Neutral reactions
Worst Use: Formal writing
Tone: Calm, friendly
Context Variability: spoken, casual
14. Phrase: I’m interested in
Meaning: Showing curiosity or professional interest.
Explanation: Focuses more on engagement than excitement, making it suitable for work contexts.
Example Sentence: I’m interested in learning more about this opportunity.
Best Use: Business inquiries
Worst Use: Personal excitement
Tone: Neutral, professional
Context Variability: professional, written
15. Phrase: I appreciate the opportunity
Meaning: Expressing gratitude and positive anticipation.
Explanation: This is a respectful and professional alternative commonly used in formal communication.
Example Sentence: I appreciate the opportunity to work with your team.
Best Use: Emails, interviews
Worst Use: Casual chats
Tone: Polite, formal
Context Variability: professional
“Neutral phrases help you sound confident without sounding emotional.”
Expressive and Emphatic Alternatives
16. Phrase: I’m thrilled about it
Meaning: Feeling very excited and pleased.
Explanation: Strong emotional expression, suitable when enthusiasm is encouraged.
Example Sentence: I’m thrilled about the upcoming collaboration.
Best Use: Positive updates
Worst Use: Serious matters
Tone: Enthusiastic, positive
Context Variability: casual, professional
17. Phrase: I’m delighted to
Meaning: Experiencing refined happiness or pleasure.
Explanation: A polished phrase often used in formal or semi-formal communication.
Example Sentence: I’m delighted to join the project.
Best Use: Formal acceptance
Worst Use: Casual texting
Tone: Polite, warm
Context Variability: professional, written
18. Phrase: I’m enthusiastic about
Meaning: Showing energetic interest and motivation.
Explanation: Stronger than “interested,” but still professional when used correctly.
Example Sentence: I’m enthusiastic about contributing to the team.
Best Use: Interviews
Worst Use: Neutral reports
Tone: Positive, confident
Context Variability: professional
19. Phrase: I’m eager to begin
Meaning: Ready and excited to start something.
Explanation: Emphasizes motivation and readiness rather than emotion.
Example Sentence: I’m eager to begin working on the assignment.
Best Use: Work starts
Worst Use: Social plans
Tone: Motivated, professional
Context Variability: professional
20. Phrase: I’m excited to move forward
Meaning: Positive anticipation about progress.
Explanation: Common in business settings to signal readiness and optimism.
Example Sentence: I’m excited to move forward with the next steps.
Best Use: Meetings
Worst Use: Personal chats
Tone: Optimistic, professional
Context Variability: professional
“Expressive language shows motivation, not just interest.”
Polite and Email-Friendly Alternatives
21. Phrase: I look forward to hearing from you
Meaning: Polite anticipation of a response.
Explanation: A standard professional closing line in emails.
Example Sentence: I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best Use: Email endings
Worst Use: Spoken English
Tone: Polite, neutral
Context Variability: professional, written
22. Phrase: I await your reply
Meaning: Expecting a response formally.
Explanation: More formal and slightly distant in tone.
Example Sentence: I await your reply regarding the proposal.
Best Use: Formal emails
Worst Use: Friendly messages
Tone: Formal, reserved
Context Variability: professional
23. Phrase: I appreciate your time
Meaning: Showing respect and gratitude.
Explanation: Often paired with anticipation in professional correspondence.
Example Sentence: I appreciate your time and consideration.
Best Use: Business emails
Worst Use: Casual use
Tone: Respectful, polite
Context Variability: professional
24. Phrase: I’m grateful for the opportunity
Meaning: Thankful and positively expectant.
Explanation: Combines appreciation with forward-looking intent.
Example Sentence: I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute.
Best Use: Interviews
Worst Use: Informal chats
Tone: Professional, warm
Context Variability: professional
25. Phrase: I welcome your feedback
Meaning: Open anticipation for input or response.
Explanation: Suggests openness and professionalism.
Example Sentence: I welcome your feedback on the draft.
Best Use: Work reviews
Worst Use: Personal topics
Tone: Polite, open
Context Variability: professional
“Polite anticipation builds trust in professional communication.”
Informal Spoken Expressions
26. Phrase: Pumped for it
Meaning: Extremely excited.
Explanation: Very casual and energetic, used mostly in speech.
Example Sentence: I’m pumped for the concert tonight.
Best Use: Friends
Worst Use: Workplace
Tone: Energetic, informal
Context Variability: spoken, casual
27. Phrase: Stoked about it
Meaning: Very pleased or excited.
Explanation: Informal and conversational, common in spoken English.
Example Sentence: I’m stoked about the trip.
Best Use: Casual talk
Worst Use: Formal writing
Tone: Relaxed, excited
Context Variability: casual
28. Phrase: Hyped for it
Meaning: Highly excited or energized.
Explanation: Slang-based and best kept for informal settings.
Example Sentence: Everyone’s hyped for the launch.
Best Use: Social settings
Worst Use: Professional emails
Tone: Energetic, informal
Context Variability: spoken
29. Phrase: Really into it
Meaning: Strong interest or enjoyment.
Explanation: Focuses more on engagement than anticipation.
Example Sentence: I’m really into this idea.
Best Use: Conversations
Worst Use: Formal writing
Tone: Casual, positive
Context Variability: spoken, casual
30. Phrase: Looking ahead to it
Meaning: Calm anticipation of something future.
Explanation: Slightly more reflective and less emotional than “looking forward to it.”
Example Sentence: I’m looking ahead to our next meeting.
Best Use: Neutral emails
Worst Use: Emotional contexts
Tone: Neutral, polite
Context Variability: casual, professional
Comparison Table: Top Alternatives
| Phrase | Tone | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| I eagerly await | Formal | Business emails |
| I can’t wait | Casual | Friends |
| I’m excited about | Neutral | Mixed contexts |
| I look forward to our discussion | Professional | Meetings |
| I’m thrilled about | Expressive | Positive updates |
| I appreciate the opportunity | Polite | Work emails |
| Counting down the days | Casual | Personal plans |
| I anticipate with interest | Formal | Reports |
| I’m keen to proceed | Professional | Decisions |
| Excited for it | Informal | Spoken English |
“Variety in language shows confidence, clarity, and control.”
Mini Quiz: Self-Check
- Which phrase is best for a formal email?
A. Can’t wait
B. I eagerly await
C. Pumped for it - Which phrase is too informal for work?
A. I’m thrilled about it
B. I look forward to our discussion
C. Hyped for it - Which phrase fits professional communication best?
A. Counting down the days
B. I appreciate the opportunity
C. Excited for it
FAQs
1. Is “looking forward to it” formal or informal?
It’s polite but mostly informal or neutral.
2. What are professional alternatives to “looking forward to it”?
Try “I look forward to our discussion” or “I eagerly await.”
3. Can I use “looking forward to it” in emails?
Yes, but avoid overusing it in professional emails.
4. What’s the best casual alternative?
“I can’t wait” is the most natural casual option.
5. How can I express excitement in English professionally?
Use phrases like “I’m pleased to” or “I appreciate the opportunity.”
Conclusion
Learning other ways to say looking forward to it helps you sound fluent, professional, and confident. The right phrase improves clarity, tone, and impact.
Practice using different expressions daily and pay attention to context. Tone awareness is key to mastering professional and natural English.
Read More Related Articles:
- Other Ways to Say “Let Me Know What You Think” Without Sounding Informal (2026)
- Other Ways to Say If I Can Be of Any Help (2026)

Peter Murphy is an experienced writer at wordsmirror.com, where he creates informative and engaging content on language, meanings, and modern usage. He is known for his clear writing style, strong research skills, and ability to explain topics in a simple, reader-friendly way.

