People often wonder whether “looking forward to working with you” is correct because the phrase sounds natural in emails, interviews, and professional messages, but the grammar behind it can be confusing. Some learners are not sure whether working should follow to, whether the phrase needs a full subject like I am, or whether a more formal version is better. This matters in everyday writing, speaking, exams, and workplace communication because a polite closing can leave a strong impression. In this article, you will learn the meaning, correct usage, grammar rules, sentence patterns, common mistakes, and simple memory tips so you can use this phrase confidently and correctly.
What Does “Looking Forward to Working with You” Mean?
The phrase looking forward to working with you means you are pleased about the future opportunity to work with someone. It expresses politeness, friendliness, and positive anticipation.
It is commonly used:
- in business emails
- after job interviews
- in workplace introductions
- in client communication
- in formal and semi-formal messages
Simple meaning examples
- I am happy that we will cooperate soon.
- I am pleased about the chance to work together.
- I expect our future working relationship to be positive.
Why people use it
This phrase is popular because it sounds:
- polite
- professional
- warm
- hopeful
Meaning comparison table
| Phrase | Meaning | Tone |
| looking forward to working with you | happy about future cooperation | polite and professional |
| look forward to working with you | same meaning | slightly more formal |
| I’m excited to work with you | enthusiastic about future work | friendly and positive |
Important idea
The phrase is not about looking physically forward. It is an idiomatic expression that means you are anticipating something positive in the future.
Is “Looking Forward to Working with You” Correct?
Yes, “looking forward to working with you” is correct when it is used in the right sentence.
For example:
- I am looking forward to working with you.
- We are looking forward to working with you.
The key point is that looking forward to is usually part of a larger sentence. It is not always complete by itself unless the subject is understood from context, such as in an email closing.
Correct examples
- I am looking forward to working with you.
- We are looking forward to working with you on this project.
- I look forward to working with you.
- Looking forward to working with you.
What makes it correct?
The phrase is grammatically correct because:
- look forward to is a fixed expression
- to is a preposition in this phrase, not part of an infinitive
- the verb after to is usually in -ing form
Correct and incorrect table
| Correct | Incorrect |
| I am looking forward to working with you. | I am looking forward to work with you. |
| We look forward to working with you. | We look forward to work with you. |
| Looking forward to working with you. | Looking forward to work you. |
Short answer
Yes, the phrase is correct, but the full sentence and the verb form that follows it matter a lot.
Grammar Rules Behind the Phrase
This is the most important part of the topic. Many learners make mistakes because they think to always means an infinitive. In this phrase, it does not.
Rule 1: “Look forward to” is followed by a noun or gerund
In standard English, look forward to is followed by:
- a noun
- a noun phrase
- a gerund (verb + -ing)
Examples:
- I look forward to your reply.
- I look forward to the meeting.
- I look forward to working with you.
Rule 2: “To” in this phrase is a preposition
This is where many learners get confused. In look forward to, the word to is a preposition, not the marker of an infinitive.
That means:
- correct: looking forward to working
- incorrect: looking forward to work
Rule 3: Use the -ing form after “to”
Because to is a preposition here, the next verb usually takes the -ing form.
| Pattern | Correct example |
| look forward to + noun | look forward to the meeting |
| look forward to + gerund | look forward to working |
| look forward to + pronoun/noun phrase | look forward to your visit |
Rule 4: Sentence structure matters
The phrase often needs a subject and auxiliary verb if used in a full sentence.
Examples:
- I am looking forward to working with you.
- She is looking forward to seeing you.
- They are looking forward to hearing from you.
Grammar comparison table
| Structure | Correct | Incorrect |
| look forward to + noun | look forward to the trip | look forward to travel |
| look forward to + gerund | look forward to meeting you | look forward to meet you |
| be looking forward to + gerund | I am looking forward to starting | I am looking forward to start |
A simple rule to remember
If you see look forward to, think:
- to + noun
- to + -ing verb
Not:
- to + base verb
Correct Usage in Emails and Professional Writing
This phrase is especially common in professional English because it sounds warm without being too casual. It is often used in:
- job applications
- interview follow-up emails
- client messages
- business introductions
- team communication
Examples in email style
- I am looking forward to working with you on this project.
- We look forward to working with you in the coming weeks.
- I look forward to working with you and your team.
- Looking forward to working with you.
When it sounds best
It works well when you want to be:
- polite
- professional
- positive
- cooperative
When to use the full sentence
Use the full sentence when you want a more complete and formal tone.
Examples:
- I am looking forward to working with you.
- We are looking forward to working with you.
When to use the shortened closing
Many emails end with:
- Looking forward to working with you.
- Looking forward to hearing from you.
This is common in business email closings, even though the subject I is omitted. The meaning is still clear.
Good vs weak usage table
| Good use | Weaker use |
| I am looking forward to working with you. | I look forward working with you. |
| We look forward to working with you. | We are look forward to working with you. |
| Looking forward to working with you. | Forward looking to work with you. |
Real-life examples
- After an interview: I am looking forward to working with you.
- In a client email: We look forward to working with you on the launch.
- In a team introduction: Looking forward to working with you all.
British vs American English: Is There a Difference?
There is no major British vs American English difference in the correctness of this phrase. Both varieties use it in the same way.
What stays the same
- look forward to working with you is correct in both British and American English
- looking forward to working with you is also correct in both
- look forward to work with you is incorrect in both
Style comparison table
| Variety | Correct form | Common use |
| British English | look forward to working with you | formal and professional |
| American English | look forward to working with you | formal and professional |
What may differ
The main difference is style preference:
- some workplaces prefer the full sentence
- some use the shortened email ending
- some prefer I look forward to for a more formal tone
But the grammar itself does not change.
Practical note
Whether you are writing for a British company or an American company, the safest choice is the same:
- use working after to
- keep the phrase polite and natural
Pronunciation and Spoken English
This phrase is common in speaking too, especially in interviews and polite conversations.
Pronunciation
- looking forward to working with you
- spoken quickly, the phrase may sound like a smooth stream of words rather than separate parts
Why pronunciation matters
Some learners hear the phrase often but do not notice the grammar. They hear:
- “lookin’ forward to workin’ with you”
and assume work is the correct form. In standard English, the written form should still be working.
Spoken examples
- I’m looking forward to working with you.
- We look forward to meeting you.
- Looking forward to hearing from you.
Pronunciation tip
Remember:
- the speech may sound relaxed
- the grammar still follows the -ing pattern
So even if someone speaks quickly, the written standard remains:
- looking forward to working with you
Sentence Examples: Correct and Incorrect Uses
Examples are the easiest way to see the difference clearly.
Correct examples
- I am looking forward to working with you.
- We are looking forward to working with you on this assignment.
- She is looking forward to meeting the new team.
- I look forward to working with you soon.
- Looking forward to working with you.
Incorrect examples
- I am looking forward to work with you.
- We are looking forward to work with you.
- I look forward working with you.
- Looking forward to work with you.
Correct vs incorrect table
| Correct | Incorrect |
| I’m looking forward to working with you. | I’m looking forward to work with you. |
| We look forward to working with you. | We look forward working with you. |
| Looking forward to working with you. | Looking forward to work with you. |
More natural examples
- After the interview: I am looking forward to working with you and learning from your team.
- In a business proposal: We look forward to working with you on the next phase.
- In a friendly professional email: Looking forward to working with you soon.
What these examples show
The phrase is useful because it can be:
- a complete sentence
- a formal sentence
- a closing line
- a polite expression of anticipation
Common Mistakes Learners Make
This phrase is very common, so mistakes are common too. Here are the biggest ones.
Mistake 1: Using “to” + base verb
Wrong:
- I am looking forward to work with you.
Correct:
- I am looking forward to working with you.
Mistake 2: Forgetting the subject in a full sentence
Wrong:
- Looking forward to working with you, and that is all.
This may sound incomplete unless it is clearly used as a closing line.
Better:
- I am looking forward to working with you.
Mistake 3: Using the phrase too casually in formal documents
The shortened form is fine in many emails, but in a very formal letter, the full sentence may sound better.
More formal:
- I look forward to working with you.
Mistake 4: Confusing “look forward to” with “look forward”
Wrong:
- I look forward work with you.
Correct:
- I look forward to working with you.
Mistake 5: Thinking “to” means an infinitive here
It does not. In this phrase, to is a preposition, so the -ing form follows it.
Common mistakes table
| Wrong | Right |
| looking forward to work with you | looking forward to working with you |
| look forward to work with you | look forward to working with you |
| look forward working with you | look forward to working with you |
Best proofreading strategy
When you write this phrase, check only two things:
- Is the phrase look forward to?
- Did I use a verb ending in -ing after it?
If yes, you are correct.
FAQs About “Looking Forward to Working with You”
Is it correct to say “looking forward to working with you”?
Yes. It is correct when used in the proper sentence form.
Is “looking forward to work with you” correct?
No. The standard form is looking forward to working with you.
Is “I look forward to working with you” correct?
Yes. It is also correct and slightly more formal.
Can I use “looking forward to working with you” in an email?
Yes. It is very common in professional emails and polite messages.
Is it too casual for business writing?
No. It is widely accepted in business communication. In very formal writing, the full sentence I look forward to working with you may sound slightly more formal.
Why is “working” used instead of “work”?
Because the phrase look forward to is followed by a noun or a gerund, and working is the gerund form.
Can I say “looking forward to meet you”?
No. The correct form is looking forward to meeting you.
Is “looking forward to hearing from you” the same rule?
Yes. It follows the same pattern:
- look forward to + hearing
- not look forward to hear
Conclusion
Yes, it is correct to say “looking forward to working with you.” The phrase is standard, polite, and widely used in professional English. The most important grammar point is that look forward to is followed by a noun or a -ing form, so working is correct and work is not. That rule also applies to similar expressions like look forward to hearing from you and look forward to meeting you.
A simple memory trick will help:
- look forward to + noun
- look forward to + -ing
So, when you want to sound professional, friendly, and grammatically correct, you can confidently write:
- I am looking forward to working with you.
- We look forward to working with you.
- Looking forward to working with you.
If you remember that to in this phrase is followed by -ing, you will avoid one of the most common email and workplace grammar mistakes in English.
