The phrase “looking forward to working with you” is one of the most useful expressions in professional English. You may see it in business emails, job offers, workplace messages, client communications, networking conversations, and formal introductions. It is a friendly way to show that you are positive about a future professional relationship.
However, many English learners are unsure about the grammar behind the phrase. Should you say “looking forward to working with you” or “looking forward to work with you”? Is it formal or informal? Can you use it in an email? In this guide, we will explain the meaning, grammar, correct usage, examples, common mistakes, and alternatives so you can use this phrase naturally and confidently.
Quick Answer: Looking Forward to Working With You
“Looking forward to working with you” is grammatically correct and means:
It is commonly used at the end of professional emails and messages.
Correct:
Also correct:
Incorrect in standard English:
The key grammar rule is that “look forward to” is followed by a noun or a gerund (-ing form).
Therefore:
Not:
What Does “Looking Forward to Working With You” Mean?
The phrase “looking forward to working with you” expresses positive anticipation about a future professional interaction.
In simple words, it means:
Or:
The phrase can be used when:
- Starting a new job
- Beginning a new business relationship
- Joining a project
- Working with a new client
- Collaborating with a colleague
- Starting a partnership
- Responding to a job offer
- Beginning a professional assignment
For example:
This sounds professional, polite, and positive.
Why Is “Working” Correct Instead of “Work”?
The grammar can be confusing because to usually makes people think of the infinitive form of a verb.
For example:
Here, to work is an infinitive.
But in “look forward to,” the word to is a preposition, not part of an infinitive.
After a preposition, English generally uses a noun or a gerund.
So:
Here, the meeting is a noun.
Here, working is a gerund.
This is why the correct form is:
The same rule applies to other expressions:
Looking Forward to Working With You: Examples
The phrase is flexible and can be used in many professional situations.
Example 1: New Job
This is a friendly response when starting a new position.
Example 2: New Client
This sounds professional and welcoming.
Example 3: New Project
This expresses enthusiasm while maintaining a professional tone.
Example 4: Business Partnership
This is appropriate for a professional partnership.
Example 5: Formal Email
This is slightly more formal and polished.
Example 6: Team Collaboration
This sounds warm and welcoming.
“I Look Forward to Working With You” vs “I’m Looking Forward to Working With You”
Both expressions are correct, but they can have slightly different tones.
I Look Forward to Working With You
This version is often used in professional emails and formal correspondence.
It sounds polished, professional, and confident.
I’m Looking Forward to Working With You
This version sounds slightly warmer and more conversational.
It is common in emails, workplace conversations, and friendly professional communication.
The difference is subtle. Both are natural and appropriate.
Comparison Table: Similar Expressions
| Expression | Meaning | Tone | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| I look forward to working with you. | I anticipate working with you positively. | Formal/professional | Business emails |
| I’m looking forward to working with you. | I’m excited about working with you. | Warm/professional | Emails and messages |
| We look forward to working with you. | Our team anticipates working with you. | Formal/professional | Companies and organizations |
| I’m excited to work with you. | I feel enthusiastic about working together. | Friendly/positive | Workplace communication |
| It’s great to work with you. | I enjoy working with you. | Friendly | Current colleagues |
| I hope we can work together soon. | I would like to collaborate in the future. | Polite | Networking |
| I’m excited about working together. | I feel positive about future collaboration. | Warm | Projects and partnerships |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: “Looking Forward to Work With You”
This is one of the most common errors.
Incorrect:
Correct:
The verb after look forward to should be in the -ing form when a verb follows.
Mistake 2: “Looking Forward for Working With You”
The correct preposition is to, not for.
Incorrect:
Correct:
The fixed expression is look forward to.
Mistake 3: “I Am Looking Forward to Work With You”
This mistake happens for the same reason.
Incorrect:
Correct:
Remember:
Mistake 4: Forgetting “I” in Formal Writing
You may see:
This is common in informal emails and messages, but it is technically a shortened version of:
For a formal email, the complete sentence is often a better choice.
Mistake 5: Using “Looking Forward” for Something Already Happening
The phrase usually refers to something you expect or anticipate in the future.
If you are already working with someone, you might say:
Or:
These expressions are more suitable when the collaboration is already underway.
Is “Looking Forward to Working With You” Formal?
Yes. “Looking forward to working with you” is professional and appropriate in many formal and semi-formal situations.
You can use it in:
- Business emails
- Job-related communication
- Client emails
- Project discussions
- Networking messages
- Professional introductions
- Workplace correspondence
However, the exact wording can be adjusted depending on the relationship.
Formal
Warm and professional
Friendly
Very casual
The last option is much more informal and is best reserved for people you already know well.
American English vs British English
There is no major grammatical difference between American and British English in the use of “looking forward to working with you.”
The phrase is natural in both varieties.
For example:
American English:
British English:
The grammar and meaning are the same.
One minor difference can appear in the level of formality used in business correspondence. In some traditional British business writing, “I look forward to working with you” may sound particularly polished and formal. American business communication may also use this expression frequently, but the more conversational “I’m looking forward to working with you” is equally common.
Both versions are correct.
When Should You Use “I Look Forward to Working With You”?
Use “I look forward to working with you” when you want to sound professional, confident, and polite.
It works particularly well when:
- You have just accepted a job
- You are starting a new project
- You are beginning work with a client
- You are joining a new team
- You are confirming a professional relationship
- You are closing a business email
Example Email Closing
This sounds professional without being overly formal.
Alternatives to “Looking Forward to Working With You”
Sometimes you may want to avoid repeating the same phrase. Here are some useful alternatives.
Professional Alternatives
- I look forward to collaborating with you.
- I look forward to working together.
- I’m pleased to have the opportunity to work with you.
- I’m excited about our upcoming collaboration.
- I look forward to our future cooperation.
- I’m delighted to be working with you.
Friendly Alternatives
- I’m excited to work with you!
- I’m happy to be part of the team.
- It’s great to be working with you.
- I’m excited about what we can accomplish together.
The best choice depends on your relationship and the tone of your message.
FAQs
1. Is “looking forward to working with you” grammatically correct?
Yes. “Looking forward to working with you” is grammatically correct and widely used in professional communication.
2. Should I say “looking forward to work” or “looking forward to working”?
You should say “looking forward to working.” The expression look forward to is followed by a noun or gerund, so working is correct.
3. Is it better to say “I look forward to working with you” or “I’m looking forward to working with you”?
Both are correct. “I look forward to working with you” can sound slightly more formal, while “I’m looking forward to working with you” often sounds warmer and more conversational.
4. Can I use “looking forward to working with you” in an email?
Yes. It is an excellent phrase for professional emails, especially when starting a new job, project, partnership, or client relationship.
5. Can I say “looking forward for working with you”?
No. The standard expression is “looking forward to working with you.” Use to, not for.
6. Is “looking forward to working with you” formal or informal?
It is best described as professional and polite. It works in formal and semi-formal communication, although the exact tone depends on the rest of the message.
7. What does “I look forward to working with you” mean?
It means that you feel positive about the opportunity to work with someone in the future. It expresses enthusiasm, anticipation, and professionalism.
8. What is another way to say “looking forward to working with you”?
You can say “I look forward to collaborating with you,” “I’m excited to work with you,” or “I’m pleased to have the opportunity to work with you.”
Final Summary
The phrase “looking forward to working with you” is a natural and professional way to express positive anticipation about a future working relationship. It is commonly used when joining a team, starting a project, beginning a partnership, or communicating with a new client. The phrase can be warm and friendly while still maintaining a professional tone.
The most important grammar point is that look forward to is followed by a noun or -ing form, not the base form of a verb. Therefore, “I look forward to working with you” is correct, while “I look forward to work with you” is incorrect. Both American and British English use the phrase in essentially the same way.
