The phrase “looking forward to working with you” is a common and professional expression used to show that you are happy, enthusiastic, or excited about the opportunity to work with someone in the future. You will often see it in professional emails, business communication, workplace conversations, client relationships, and formal correspondence.
But one common question is: Is it “looking forward to work with you” or “looking forward to working with you”?
The correct expression is “looking forward to working with you.”
The reason is simple: in the expression “look forward to,” the word “to” is a preposition, not part of an infinitive. A preposition can be followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund (-ing form). Therefore, we use working, not work.
Quick Answer
“Looking forward to working with you” means:
You are happy, excited, or positive about the opportunity to work with someone in the future.
For example:
- ✅ I’m looking forward to working with you.
- ❌ I’m looking forward to work with you.
The first sentence is grammatically correct because look forward to + -ing is the correct structure.
A slightly more formal version is:
- I look forward to working with you.
Both forms are correct and widely used in professional English.
What Does “Looking Forward to Working With You” Mean?
“Looking forward to working with you” expresses positive anticipation about a future professional relationship or collaboration.
When you say this to someone, you are essentially communicating:
- I am happy about this opportunity.
- I am excited to work with you.
- I anticipate working together.
- I am positive about our future collaboration.
- I am pleased to begin working with you.
For example:
Thank you for the opportunity. I’m looking forward to working with you.
This tells the other person that you appreciate the opportunity and have positive expectations about working together.
The phrase is especially appropriate when:
- starting a new job
- beginning a new project
- meeting a new colleague
- starting a client relationship
- accepting a business opportunity
- joining a new team
See Also: Soo vs So: Understanding the Difference and Correct English Usage
Is “Looking Forward to Working With You” Grammatically Correct?
Yes. “Looking forward to working with you” is grammatically correct.
The important grammar rule is:
Look forward to + noun or -ing form
Examples:
- I look forward to the meeting.
- I look forward to meeting you.
- I look forward to our collaboration.
- I look forward to working with you.
The word “to” in these sentences is a preposition. That is why it can be followed by a noun or gerund.
Why “Working” Instead of “Work”?
Many English learners know the common infinitive structure:
to + base verb
For example:
- to work
- to learn
- to meet
- to discuss
However, “look forward to” works differently.
Here, to is a preposition, so the following verb takes the -ing form.
Therefore:
look forward to + working ✅
Not:
look forward to + work ❌
“Looking Forward to Work With You” or “Working With You”?
The correct form is:
I’m looking forward to working with you. ✅
The incorrect form is:
I’m looking forward to work with you. ❌
Compare these sentences:
| Expression | Correct? | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| I’m looking forward to working with you. | ✅ | “To” is a preposition |
| I look forward to working with you. | ✅ | Correct gerund structure |
| I’m looking forward to work with you. | ❌ | “Work” is the wrong form |
| I’m excited to work with you. | ✅ | “To work” is an infinitive here |
| I’m looking forward to our collaboration. | ✅ | “Our collaboration” is a noun phrase |
Notice the difference between:
I’m excited to work with you. ✅
and:
I’m looking forward to working with you. ✅
Both are correct, but they use different grammatical structures.
Why Is “To Working” Correct?
At first, “to working” can look unusual because learners often associate “to” with the base form of a verb.
For example:
- to work
- to speak
- to meet
- to learn
But “to” does not always introduce an infinitive.
In “look forward to,” it is a preposition.
A simple formula to remember is:
LOOK FORWARD TO + NOUN / -ING
Examples:
- look forward to the meeting
- look forward to meeting you
- look forward to the project
- look forward to working with you
- look forward to our collaboration
So:
Looking forward to working with you ✅
Looking forward to work with you ❌
“I’m Looking Forward to Working With You” vs. “I Look Forward to Working With You”
Both sentences are correct, but their tone can be slightly different.
I’m Looking Forward to Working With You
This version sounds warm, friendly, and conversational while remaining professional.
Example:
Thank you for sending the project details. I’m looking forward to working with you.
It works well in:
- professional emails
- workplace communication
- messages to colleagues
- client communication
- introductions
I Look Forward to Working With You
This version can sound slightly more formal and traditional.
For example:
Thank you for the opportunity. I look forward to working with you.
It is particularly suitable for:
- formal correspondence
- business emails
- client communication
- professional letters
Neither version is wrong. The best choice depends on the tone of your message.
See Also: Invision or Envision: Understanding the Difference and Correct Usage Today
Can You Say “Looking Forward to Working With You” in an Email?
Yes. It is one of the most common professional expressions used at the end of an email.
For example:Project Collaboration
Project Collaboration
Hi Sarah,
Thank you for sending the project details. Everything looks good, and I’m excited to get started.
I’m looking forward to working with you.
Best regards,
John
You can also use a shorter version:Thank You for the Opportunity
Thank You for the Opportunity
Thank you for the opportunity. I’m looking forward to working with you.
Best regards,
John
The phrase works particularly well because it communicates professional courtesy, enthusiasm, and positive expectations without sounding overly informal.
When to Use “Looking Forward to Working With You”
1. Starting a New Job
When joining a new company or team, the phrase can show enthusiasm about your new professional relationship.
Example:
I’m excited to join the team and looking forward to working with you.
2. Starting a New Project
Use it when you are about to collaborate with someone on a project.
Example:
Thank you for sharing the project details. I’m looking forward to working with you on this.
3. Beginning a Client Relationship
It is useful when communicating with a new customer or client.
Example:
Thank you for choosing our services. We’re looking forward to working with you.
4. Meeting a New Colleague
You can use it after an introduction or professional conversation.
Example:
It was great speaking with you. I’m looking forward to working with you.
5. Accepting a Business Opportunity
The phrase can also express enthusiasm when accepting a professional opportunity.
Example:
Thank you for the opportunity. I’m looking forward to working with you.
10+ Examples of “Looking Forward to Working With You”
Here are natural examples for different professional situations:
- I’m looking forward to working with you.
- We’re looking forward to working with you on this project.
- I’m really looking forward to working with you.
- It was great meeting you, and I’m looking forward to working with you.
- Thank you for the opportunity. I’m looking forward to working with you.
- We’re excited and looking forward to working with you.
- I’m looking forward to working with you and your team.
- I’m looking forward to working with you on this exciting project.
- Everyone here is looking forward to working with you.
- We’re looking forward to working with you in the coming months.
- I’m particularly looking forward to working with you on this initiative.
- It was a pleasure speaking with you, and I’m looking forward to working with you.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: “Looking Forward to Work With You”
❌ I’m looking forward to work with you.
✅ I’m looking forward to working with you.
Remember:
look forward to + -ing
Mistake 2: “Looking Forward for Working With You”
❌ I’m looking forward for working with you.
✅ I’m looking forward to working with you.
The standard fixed expression is:
look forward to
not:
look forward for
Mistake 3: “Looking Forward to Working You”
❌ I’m looking forward to working you.
✅ I’m looking forward to working with you.
When you mean collaborating with another person, use the phrase “work with.”
Mistake 4: Thinking “To Working” Is Always Wrong
Some learners assume that “to working” must be incorrect because they learned that “to” is followed by the base form of a verb.
That rule applies when to introduces an infinitive.
For example:
- I want to work.
- I need to learn.
- I plan to meet you.
But in “look forward to,” the word “to” is a preposition.
Therefore:
I look forward to working with you. ✅
Formal Alternatives to “Looking Forward to Working With You”
If you want to vary your wording, there are several professional alternatives.
1. I Look Forward to Working With You
A slightly more formal version.
2. I’m Pleased to Have the Opportunity to Work With You
This sounds polished and professional.
3. I Look Forward to Our Collaboration
A concise alternative that emphasizes collaboration.
4. I’m Excited About Working With You
This expresses stronger enthusiasm.
5. I Look Forward to Collaborating With You
A professional alternative that focuses on teamwork.
6. I’m Delighted to Be Working With You
This sounds warm and positive.
7. I Look Forward to Working Together
Useful when both people are involved in the same project or activity.
Looking Forward to Working With You vs. Excited to Work With You
These expressions are similar, but their grammar is different.
I’m looking forward to working with you.
Here, to is a preposition, so working is used.
I’m excited to work with you.
Here, to work is an infinitive, so the base form work is correct.
Therefore:
- look forward to + working ✅
- excited to + work ✅
Do not transfer the grammar of one expression to the other.
Looking Forward to Working With You vs. Working Together
Both expressions can describe future collaboration.
I’m looking forward to working with you.
This directly addresses another person.
I’m looking forward to working together.
This emphasizes the shared activity or project.
For example:
I’m looking forward to working with you on the new project.
or:
I’m looking forward to working together on the new project.
Both are natural.
Similar Expressions
Depending on the situation, you can also say:
- looking forward to seeing you
- looking forward to meeting you
- looking forward to hearing from you
- looking forward to talking with you
- looking forward to speaking with you
- looking forward to working together
- excited to work with you
- looking forward to our collaboration
The correct expression depends on what you are anticipating.
For example:
I look forward to meeting you.
Use this when you have not met someone yet.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Use this when you are expecting a response.
I look forward to working with you.
Use this when you anticipate a professional collaboration.
American vs. British English
“Looking forward to working with you” is natural in both American English and British English.
There is no significant difference in the grammar or meaning of the phrase between the two varieties.
Both commonly use:
- I’m looking forward to working with you.
- I look forward to working with you.
So you can use the expression confidently in professional communication regardless of whether you are writing in American or British English.
Quick Grammar Rule to Remember
If you remember only one rule, make it this:
Look forward to + noun or -ing form
Correct:
- I look forward to the meeting.
- I look forward to meeting you.
- I look forward to our collaboration.
- I look forward to working with you.
Incorrect:
- I look forward to work with you.
The reason is that “to” is a preposition in “look forward to.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “looking forward to working with you” grammatically correct?
Yes. It is grammatically correct, natural, and very common in professional English. The expression look forward to is followed by a noun or an -ing form.
Is it “looking forward to work with you” or “looking forward to working with you”?
The correct form is “looking forward to working with you.” The verb after “look forward to” should take the -ing form.
Is “I’m looking forward to working with you” formal?
Yes. It is professional and appropriate for emails, workplace communication, clients, colleagues, and business situations. It is slightly warmer and more conversational than “I look forward to working with you.”
Is “I look forward to working with you” better?
Both are correct. “I look forward to working with you” can sound slightly more formal and traditional, while “I’m looking forward to working with you” can sound warmer and more conversational.
Can I say “looking forward to working with you” in an email?
Yes. It is a very common way to express enthusiasm about a future professional relationship or collaboration.
What does “looking forward to working with you” mean?
It means that you are happy, excited, or positive about the opportunity to work with someone in the future.
Can I say “looking forward for working with you”?
No. The standard expression is “looking forward to working with you,” not “looking forward for working with you.”
Is “looking forward to working together” correct?
Yes. “Looking forward to working together” is grammatically correct and natural, especially when two or more people are involved in the same project or activity.
Final Verdict
“Looking forward to working with you” is correct, natural, and widely used in professional English.
The most important grammar point is that “to” in “look forward to” is a preposition, so it should be followed by a noun, pronoun, or -ing form.
Therefore:
✅ I’m looking forward to working with you.
✅ I look forward to working with you.
❌ I’m looking forward to work with you.
❌ I’m looking forward for working with you.
The easiest rule to remember is:
Look forward to + -ing → looking forward to working
Whether you are writing a professional email, starting a new project, meeting a new colleague, or beginning a client relationship, “looking forward to working with you” is a polished and appropriate expression.
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