The phrase “looking forward to working with you” is a common and professional expression used when someone feels positive about a future collaboration, project, meeting, or working relationship. You may see it in business emails, job-related messages, client communication, workplace conversations, and professional introductions. Although the phrase looks simple, many English learners wonder whether “working” is grammatically correct after “to”, or whether they should write “looking forward to work with you.”
The key point is that “look forward to” is followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund (-ing form). Therefore, “looking forward to working with you” is grammatically correct. Here, “working” functions as a gerund, while “to” is part of the fixed expression “look forward to.” Understanding this structure can help you write natural, confident, and polished professional English.
Quick Answer
“Looking forward to working with you” is correct and natural English. It means you are happy or excited about the opportunity to work together in the future. Use working, not work, after “looking forward to” because to is a preposition in this expression.
Why People Confuse It
The confusion usually comes from the word “to.”
English learners often learn that to + verb creates an infinitive:
- to work
- to learn
- to speak
- to meet
So it may seem logical to say:
“I am looking forward to work with you.”
However, “look forward to” works differently.
In this expression, to is a preposition, not the infinitive marker. A preposition can be followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund.
Compare:
- I look forward to the meeting.
- I look forward to our conversation.
- I look forward to working with you.
- I look forward to hearing from you.
This is why the -ing form is required when you use a verb after “look forward to.”
First Word: Looking
Looking comes from the verb look and forms part of the expression “look forward to.”
When used in the continuous form, we commonly say:
“I am looking forward to…”
This expresses anticipation or positive expectation about something that will happen in the future.
Examples
- I am looking forward to the conference.
- We are looking forward to your visit.
- She is looking forward to meeting the team.
- They are looking forward to working together.
The expression can be used in both formal and informal communication, although it is particularly common in professional English.
Second Word: Working
Working is the -ing form of “work.” In “looking forward to working with you,” it functions as a gerund.
The structure is:
look forward to + noun/gerund
Therefore:
- looking forward to working ✅
- looking forward to meeting ✅
- looking forward to speaking ✅
- looking forward to hearing ✅
- looking forward to work ❌
The phrase “working with you” means cooperating or doing professional work together.
Comparison Table
| Expression | Correct? | Meaning/Use |
| Looking forward to working with you | ✅ | Anticipating future collaboration |
| Looking forward to work with you | ❌ | Incorrect after “look forward to” |
| I look forward to working with you | ✅ | Professional and direct |
| I am looking forward to working with you | ✅ | Warm and natural |
| I look forward to work with you | ❌ | Incorrect grammatical structure |
| Looking forward to our work together | ✅ | Anticipating collaboration |
| Looking forward to collaborating with you | ✅ | Professional alternative |
When to Use Each
“I am looking forward to working with you”
Use this when you want a warm, natural, and professional tone.
Example:
I am looking forward to working with you on this project.
This version is especially useful in emails and introductions.
“I look forward to working with you”
This version is slightly more direct and formal.
Example:
I look forward to working with you and your team.
It is a common choice for professional correspondence.
“Looking forward to working with you”
This is a shorter version often used in emails or messages.
Example:
Thanks for the introduction. Looking forward to working with you!
It is friendly and natural, although it leaves out the subject “I.” This is common in informal professional communication.
Examples
Here are more examples showing how the phrase works naturally:
- I am looking forward to working with you on this exciting project.
- We are looking forward to working with you and your team.
- I look forward to working with you in the coming months.
- Thank you for the opportunity. I am looking forward to working with you.
- It was great speaking with you, and I look forward to working with you.
- Our entire team is looking forward to working with you.
- I’m looking forward to working with you on the new campaign.
- We look forward to working with you to achieve our shared goals.
- I am really looking forward to working with you.
- Looking forward to working with you on the next phase of the project.
- She is looking forward to working with you on the presentation.
- The company is looking forward to working with you.
Email Example
Dear Mr. Ahmed,
Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the project. I am looking forward to working with you and your team.
Best regards,
James
This is a natural way to end a professional email when you expect future collaboration.
Common Mistakes
1. “Looking forward to work with you”
❌ Incorrect:
I am looking forward to work with you.
✅ Correct:
I am looking forward to working with you.
The verb after “look forward to” should normally be in the -ing form.
2. “Looking forward for working with you”
❌ Incorrect:
I am looking forward for working with you.
✅ Correct:
I am looking forward to working with you.
The fixed expression is “look forward to,” not “look forward for.”
3. “Looking forward to working you”
❌ Incorrect:
I am looking forward to working you.
✅ Correct:
I am looking forward to working with you.
The preposition with is important because it shows that you will work together.
4. “I look forward working with you”
❌ Incorrect:
I look forward working with you.
✅ Correct:
I look forward to working with you.
Do not omit to.
5. “Looking forward to work together with you”
This is understandable, but “looking forward to working with you” is usually more concise and natural.
Memory Trick
Remember this simple formula:
LOOK FORWARD TO + -ING
Think of the phrase as a fixed grammar pattern.
- look forward to meeting
- look forward to working
- look forward to hearing
- look forward to learning
- look forward to speaking
A quick memory sentence is:
“After look forward to, use -ing.”
So:
look forward to + working ✅
not:
look forward to + work ❌
American vs British English
There is no important grammatical difference between American and British English in this phrase.
Both varieties commonly use:
I look forward to working with you.
The expression is standard in professional communication in both American and British English.
Differences may sometimes appear in overall email style, vocabulary, or level of formality, but the grammar of “look forward to working” remains the same.
Similar Words
Several expressions can communicate a similar idea.
Looking forward to
Means you anticipate something positively.
I am looking forward to working with you.
Excited to
Shows enthusiasm about a future activity.
I am excited to work with you.
Notice the grammar difference:
- looking forward to working
- excited to work
Here, “to work” is an infinitive after “excited.”
Eager to
Means very willing or enthusiastic about doing something.
I am eager to work with you.
Hope to
Expresses a future intention or expectation.
I hope to work with you again.
Pleased to
Often sounds more formal.
I am pleased to work with you on this project.
These expressions may have similar meanings, but their grammatical structures are not always identical.
Final Verdict
“Looking forward to working with you” is grammatically correct, natural, and widely used in professional English.
The important grammar rule is:
look forward to + noun or gerund (-ing form)
Therefore, “working” is correct because to is functioning as a preposition in the expression “look forward to.”
If you are writing a professional email, you can confidently use:
I am looking forward to working with you.
For a more concise professional closing, you can also write:
I look forward to working with you.
FAQs
Is “looking forward to working with you” grammatically correct?
Yes. “Looking forward to working with you” is grammatically correct and commonly used to express positive anticipation about future professional collaboration.
Is it “looking forward to work” or “looking forward to working”?
The correct form is “looking forward to working.” The expression “look forward to” is followed by a noun or gerund, so the -ing form is needed.
Can I say “I look forward to working with you”?
Yes. “I look forward to working with you” is professional, grammatical, and appropriate for business emails and workplace communication.
Is “looking forward to work with you” wrong?
Yes, in standard English this construction is incorrect. Say “looking forward to working with you” instead.
Can I use “looking forward to working with you” in an email?
Yes. It is a very common professional expression for showing that you anticipate working with someone in the future.
Is “looking forward to working with you” formal?
It is professional and polite. Depending on the context, it can work in both formal business emails and friendly professional messages.
What can I say instead of “looking forward to working with you”?
You can say “I look forward to collaborating with you,” “I am excited to work with you,” or “I am eager to work with you.” The best choice depends on the desired tone.
Conclusion
“Looking forward to working with you” is a useful phrase for professional English because it clearly communicates positive anticipation about future collaboration. Whether you are starting a new job, joining a project, communicating with a client, or replying to a business email, the expression sounds natural and polite.
The most important grammar point is that “to” in “look forward to” is a preposition. That is why it is followed by “working,” not “work.” Once you remember this pattern, similar constructions such as “looking forward to meeting you” and “looking forward to hearing from you” become much easier to use correctly.
Remember This
Correct: “I am looking forward to working with you.” ✅
Incorrect: “I am looking forward to work with you.” ❌
Grammar rule: look forward to + noun / gerund (-ing)
I’m Aria White, a passionate word enthusiast who enjoys exploring grammar, vocabulary, and meaningful word connections. I create simple, helpful content that makes matching words easier, clearer, and enjoyable.
