The phrase “I look forward to” is a timeless way to express anticipation or eagerness for future events. However, using it repeatedly in both casual and professional conversations can feel monotonous or overly formal. Exploring alternatives not only adds variety to your communication but also lets you convey warmth, professionalism, or excitement more effectively, depending on the context.

In this post, we’ll dive into 15 other ways to say “I look forward to”, complete with explanations and examples to help you use them confidently. Whether you choose the enthusiastic “Can’t wait to” or the professional “Anticipate with interest,” these alternatives will help you connect more meaningfully and express your anticipation with nuance.

What to Say Instead of “I Look Forward To”

Here are 15 ways to say “I look forward to”:

Can’t wait to
Excited about
Eager to
Anticipating
Looking ahead to
Counting the days until
Thrilled about
Delighted to
Hopeful about
Happy to anticipate
Overjoyed at the thought of
Awaiting eagerly
Prepared for
Anticipate with interest
Ready for

1. Can’t wait to

“Can’t wait to” is an enthusiastic and informal way to express eagerness for an upcoming event or activity. It’s a great choice for casual conversations and friendly exchanges, as it conveys excitement in a relatable and approachable manner.

This phrase works well for personal and informal contexts but may feel too casual in highly professional settings. It’s ideal for showing genuine enthusiasm and positivity.

Usage Examples:

In a text: “Can’t wait to see you at the reunion this weekend!”
About an event: “I can’t wait to attend the concert—it’s going to be amazing!”
At work: “I can’t wait to start this new project; it’s such a great opportunity.”

2. Excited about

“Excited about” is a versatile phrase that can be used in both personal and professional contexts to show anticipation with a positive tone. It works well for expressing enthusiasm while maintaining a level of professionalism.

This phrase is particularly effective when discussing upcoming plans or opportunities with colleagues, clients, or friends.

Usage Examples:

To a coworker: “I’m excited about our upcoming presentation—it’s a great chance to showcase our work.”
To a friend: “I’m so excited about our trip next month!”
In an email: “We’re excited about the possibility of collaborating with your team.”

3. Eager to

“Eager to” conveys a strong desire to engage in a future activity. It’s slightly more formal than “Can’t wait to” and works well in both casual and professional settings.

This phrase is often used to show motivation or readiness for an opportunity or experience.

Usage Examples:

In a job interview: “I’m eager to contribute to your team’s success.”
About a meeting: “I’m eager to hear your thoughts on the proposal.”
To a friend: “I’m eager to try that new restaurant with you.”

4. Anticipating

Saying “Anticipating” is a polished and professional way to express expectation or excitement. It’s often used in formal communication, such as emails or business letters, to maintain a tone of professionalism.

This phrase is best suited for situations requiring a more composed and refined tone.

Usage Examples:

In an email: “I’m anticipating your feedback on the draft proposal.”
During a business call: “We’re anticipating the launch of your new product with great interest.”
In a meeting: “I’m anticipating a productive discussion about the project.”

5. Looking ahead to

“Looking ahead to” conveys a forward-thinking and optimistic tone, making it suitable for both casual and professional contexts. It emphasizes preparation and excitement for what’s to come.

This phrase is ideal for setting a positive tone in communications about future plans or opportunities.

Usage Examples:

In an email: “We’re looking ahead to a successful partnership with your team.”
To a colleague: “I’m looking ahead to our next brainstorming session.”
To a friend: “I’m looking ahead to our vacation this summer!”

6. Counting the days until

“Counting the days until” is an expressive way to show excitement and anticipation, often used for personal or informal scenarios. It conveys eagerness and highlights how special the event or activity is to you.

Usage Examples:

To a partner: “I’m counting the days until our anniversary dinner.”
To a friend: “Counting the days until we meet again—it’s been too long!”
About an event: “I’m counting the days until the big game.”

7. Thrilled about

“Thrilled about” is a powerful way to express excitement and joy. It’s perfect for personal or semi-professional contexts where showing enthusiasm is encouraged.

Usage Examples:

To a client: “We’re thrilled about the opportunity to work with you.”
About a new job: “I’m thrilled about starting this new chapter in my career.”
To a friend: “I’m thrilled about our upcoming hiking trip!”

8. Delighted to

“Delighted to” is a formal yet warm way to express anticipation. It’s often used in professional emails or polite conversations to convey excitement while maintaining decorum.

Usage Examples:

In an email: “I’m delighted to confirm our meeting for next week.”
About a social event: “I’m delighted to attend your wedding!”
In a professional setting: “We’re delighted to welcome you to our team.”

9. Hopeful about

Saying “Hopeful about” conveys optimism and anticipation in a thoughtful way. It’s particularly suitable for situations where there’s an element of uncertainty, but you want to express positive expectations.

This phrase works well in both personal and professional contexts, especially when discussing potential opportunities or outcomes.

Usage Examples:

In a business email: “I’m hopeful about the success of this collaboration.”
To a friend: “I’m hopeful about the weather clearing up for our picnic.”
During a conversation: “I’m hopeful about the changes we’re implementing.”

10. Happy to anticipate

“Happy to anticipate” is a warm and cheerful way to express eagerness for something upcoming. It’s slightly formal and works well in semi-professional settings or when trying to convey a positive tone in personal conversations.

This phrase is especially effective for expressing genuine excitement while maintaining a polished tone.

Usage Examples:

In a meeting: “I’m happy to anticipate the next phase of our project.”
To a friend: “I’m happy to anticipate our weekend getaway.”
In correspondence: “We’re happy to anticipate hosting you at our event.”

11. Overjoyed at the thought of

“Overjoyed at the thought of” emphasizes deep excitement and happiness. It’s a heartfelt and expressive phrase, best suited for personal or emotional conversations.

This phrase is particularly effective for highlighting how much you value the upcoming event or opportunity.

Usage Examples:

To a loved one: “I’m overjoyed at the thought of spending the holidays with you.”
About a celebration: “I’m overjoyed at the thought of seeing everyone at the reunion.”
To a friend: “I’m overjoyed at the thought of traveling together!”

12. Awaiting eagerly

“Awaiting eagerly” is a formal yet expressive way to convey anticipation. It’s often used in written communication and works well in professional or official contexts where maintaining politeness is important.

Usage Examples:

In an email: “I’m eagerly awaiting the opportunity to discuss this further.”
In a meeting: “We’re eagerly awaiting the results of your analysis.”
About an event: “I’m eagerly awaiting the chance to present our findings.”

13. Prepared for

“Prepared for” communicates readiness and eagerness for what’s ahead. It’s a versatile phrase that can be used in professional or personal settings, especially when you want to highlight your enthusiasm and preparedness.

This phrase is particularly effective when discussing plans or opportunities that require action or readiness.

Usage Examples:

In an interview: “I’m prepared for the challenges this role might bring.”
About an event: “I’m prepared for an exciting evening at the gala.”
In a meeting: “We’re prepared for the next phase of the project.”

14. Anticipate with interest

“Anticipate with interest” is a formal and refined way to express positive expectations. It’s often used in professional or academic contexts to convey enthusiasm without being overly casual.

This phrase is ideal for situations where a professional tone is required, such as emails or official correspondence.

Usage Examples:

In an email: “We anticipate the results of your study with interest.”
During a presentation: “I anticipate with interest the feedback from the team.”
To a colleague: “I anticipate with interest our collaboration on this initiative.”

15. Ready for

“Ready for” is a direct way to express eagerness and preparedness. It’s a versatile phrase that can be used in almost any context, from casual conversations to professional discussions.

This phrase emphasizes both anticipation and a proactive attitude, making it ideal for goal-oriented situations.

Usage Examples:

At work: “I’m ready for the challenges ahead in this project.”
To a friend: “I’m ready for our weekend hike—let’s go!”
In a meeting: “We’re ready for the next steps in the proposal process.”

Conclusion

Broadening your vocabulary with other ways to say “I look forward to” enhances both the clarity and tone of your communication. From vibrant phrases like “Counting the days” to polished expressions such as “Eagerly awaiting,” these alternatives make your conversations stand out. Tailoring your language ensures that every interaction feels thoughtful and purposeful, whether it’s a casual chat or a formal exchange. At Other Ways To Say, we aim to inspire fresh and dynamic communication styles, helping you leave a lasting impression in any scenario. With these varied expressions, your words can effortlessly align with your audience’s expectations, ensuring meaningful and engaging connections.

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Thomas Schneider

Thomas Schneider is a language enthusiast and expert in synonyms, dedicated to exploring the beauty of words and their nuanced meanings. With a passion for linguistics and clear communication, Thomas helps readers enrich their vocabulary and understand the subtle art of word choice. Whether you’re a writer, student, or language lover, his insights offer practical tools to elevate your language skills.