It’s common to rely on the phrase “looking forward to ” when communicating excitement about future events or opportunities. However, repeatedly using this term can make your messages stale and uninspired. In this blog post, we will explore other ways to say “looking forward to” that will refresh your language and enhance your correspondence.
Whether you’re writing an email, a letter, or just chatting, varying your expressions can convey your anticipation more effectively and add a personal touch to your interactions. By the end of this article, you’ll be equipped with several alternative phrases that sound more interesting and adaptable to various contexts.
11 Synonyms for “Looking Forward To” (With Usage Examples)
Here are 11 alternative ways to say “looking forward to”:
- Eagerly anticipating
- Excited about
- Can’t wait for
- Counting down to
- Awaiting eagerly
- Excitedly expecting
- Enthusiastic about
- Anxiously awaiting
- With great anticipation
- Hopeful for
- Preparing for
1. Eagerly anticipating
Eagerly anticipating is a more formal and expressive way to convey excitement about a future event or experience. This phrase implies a strong sense of enthusiasm and positive expectation.
It’s particularly useful in professional or academic contexts where you want to express your enthusiasm while maintaining a level of sophistication. Eagerly anticipating can be used to describe both personal and professional situations, making it versatile for various types of communication.
This phrase also suggests a certain level of impatience or keen interest, indicating that you’re actively looking forward to something rather than passively waiting.
Usage example:
I am eagerly anticipating the conference next month, where I’ll have the opportunity to present my research to industry leaders.
2. Can’t wait for
Can’t wait for is an informal and enthusiastic way to express strong excitement about a future event. This phrase conveys a sense of impatience and high anticipation. It’s particularly effective in casual conversations or personal correspondence with friends and family.
Can’t wait for implies that you’re counting down the days or hours until the event occurs, emphasizing your excitement. While it’s too informal for most professional settings, it’s perfect for social media posts, text messages, or casual emails.
This phrase often creates a sense of shared excitement, especially when used in group settings.
Usage example:
I can’t wait for the family reunion next weekend – it’s been so long since we’ve all been together!
3. Counting down to
Counting down to is a phrase that expresses anticipation while also implying a specific timeframe. This expression suggests that you’re actively tracking the time until an event occurs, highlighting your excitement and preparation.
It’s versatile enough for both personal and professional contexts, depending on the tone of your overall message. Counting down to can be particularly effective when used in marketing or event promotion, as it creates a sense of urgency and builds excitement.
This phrase also works well in social media posts or personal communications to share your anticipation with others.
Usage example:
We’re counting down to the launch of our new product line, which will revolutionize home automation technology.
4. Enthusiastic about
Enthusiastic about is a versatile phrase that expresses strong positive feelings towards a future event or situation. This expression conveys a sense of genuine excitement and eagerness. It’s suitable for both personal and professional contexts, making it a good choice when you need to express anticipation in a variety of situations.
Enthusiastic about suggests not just anticipation, but also a positive attitude and willingness to engage fully with whatever you’re looking forward to. This phrase can be particularly effective in cover letters, personal statements, or when expressing interest in new opportunities.
Usage example:
I’m enthusiastic about starting my new role next month and contributing to the team’s ongoing projects.
5. With great anticipation
With great anticipation is a more formal and sophisticated way to express that you’re looking forward to something. This phrase conveys a sense of eager expectation and thoughtful consideration of what’s to come.
It’s particularly suitable for professional or academic contexts where you want to express excitement while maintaining a serious tone. With great anticipation can be used to describe complex or significant events, implying that you’ve given careful thought to what lies ahead.
This phrase is effective in formal letters, speeches, or when discussing important future events or opportunities.
Usage example:
We approach the upcoming international summit with great anticipation, as it promises to address critical global challenges.
6. Excited about
Excited about is a straightforward and versatile way to express enthusiasm for a future event or situation. This phrase conveys a clear sense of positive emotion and anticipation. It’s suitable for both casual and professional contexts, making it a go-to choice for many situations.
Excited about implies an active, energetic form of anticipation, suggesting that you’re not just waiting passively but are emotionally invested in what’s to come.
This phrase is particularly effective when you want to express your feelings directly and without pretense. It can be used in various forms of communication, from personal conversations to professional emails.
Usage example:
I’m really excited about the new project we’re starting next week – it has so much potential for innovation.
7. Awaiting eagerly
Awaiting eagerly is a slightly more formal way to express anticipation. This phrase suggests a patient yet keen expectation for something to occur. It’s particularly useful in professional or academic settings where you want to convey enthusiasm while maintaining a composed demeanor.
Awaiting eagerly implies a sense of readiness and positive anticipation, indicating that you’re prepared and looking forward to what’s coming.
This expression can be especially effective when discussing long-term projects or events that require preparation and patience.
Usage example:
We are awaiting eagerly the results of our latest clinical trial, which could significantly impact our understanding of the disease.
8. Excitedly expecting
Excitedly expecting combines the energy of excitement with the anticipation of expectation. This phrase conveys a strong sense of positive anticipation and suggests an active emotional engagement with the future event.
It’s particularly effective when you want to express enthusiasm in a slightly more formal way than simply saying “excited.” Excitedly expecting can be used in both personal and professional contexts, depending on the overall tone of your communication.
This phrase is especially suitable for significant events that you’ve been anticipating for a while.
Usage example:
The whole team is excitedly expecting the annual company retreat, where we’ll have the opportunity to brainstorm new ideas and strengthen our working relationships.
9. Anxiously awaiting
Anxiously awaiting expresses a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation. This phrase suggests that you’re looking forward to something with a degree of tension or impatience. It’s particularly useful when discussing events or outcomes that are both exciting and potentially nerve-wracking.
Anxiously awaiting can be used in various contexts, from personal to professional, depending on the situation. However, it’s important to note that this phrase might convey a slight negative connotation due to the word “anxiously,” so use it judiciously in professional settings.
Usage example:
We’re anxiously awaiting the announcement of the competition results, hoping our months of hard work will pay off.
10. Hopeful for
Hopeful for is a more measured way of expressing anticipation, with an emphasis on positive expectations. This phrase conveys a sense of optimism and forward-looking attitude without the intense excitement implied by some other expressions.
It’s particularly useful in situations where the outcome is uncertain but you want to express a positive outlook. Hopeful for can be effectively used in both personal and professional contexts, especially when discussing future plans, opportunities, or potential outcomes.
Usage example:
As we approach the new fiscal year, we remain hopeful for continued growth and new opportunities in emerging markets.
11. Preparing for
While not directly expressing excitement, preparing for implies anticipation through action. This phrase suggests that you’re actively getting ready for a future event or situation, which inherently conveys a sense of looking forward to it.
Preparing for is particularly useful in professional or formal contexts where you want to emphasize your proactive approach rather than just your emotional state.
This expression can be used to convey responsible anticipation, showing that you’re not just waiting passively but taking steps to ensure readiness for what’s to come.
Usage example:
Our team is diligently preparing for the upcoming product launch, ensuring all aspects of marketing and distribution are in place.