When writing emails or letters—especially professional ones—you’ve probably used or seen the phrase “We look forward to seeing you.” It’s polite, warm, and sounds confident.
But many English learners (and even native speakers) often pause before typing it. Is it grammatically correct? Should you say “We look forward to see you” instead? Why does seeing feel better than see here?
This guide clears up every doubt you’ve ever had about this phrase—exploring grammar, usage, context, and common mistakes. By the end, you’ll know exactly why it’s correct and how to use it naturally.
Understanding the Phrase “We Look Forward to Seeing You”
What Does the Phrase Mean?
At its core, “We look forward to seeing you” means you’re excited or anticipating a future meeting or event. It’s a polite way to show positive expectation.
For example:
“We look forward to seeing you at the conference next week.”
Here, it expresses enthusiasm, not just a statement of fact. It’s emotionally warm and professionally acceptable—a perfect mix.
Why It’s So Common
You’ll find this phrase everywhere—corporate invitations, personal emails, event reminders, and friendly letters. It’s preferred because:
- It sounds formal but friendly.
- It’s versatile—works for business or personal contexts.
- It’s grammatically correct and easy to understand.
Breaking Down the Grammar
To truly understand why it’s correct, let’s look at each part of the phrase.
| Part | Function | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| We | Subject | The person or group speaking |
| look forward to | Phrasal verb | Means to anticipate something with pleasure |
| seeing | Gerund (verb + -ing) | Acts as a noun, the object of “to” |
| you | Object pronoun | The person being referred to |
So, the full structure looks like this:
Subject + look forward to + gerund (–ing form) + object
That’s why “We look forward to seeing you” is grammatically perfect.
Why “Seeing” (and Not “See”) Is Correct
The confusion often comes from the little word “to.”
At first glance, you might think “to” introduces an infinitive (the base form of a verb, like to see or to go). But in this phrase, “to” is actually a preposition, not part of an infinitive.
After a preposition, we must use a gerund, not a base verb.
Hence:
✅ We look forward to seeing you.
❌ We look forward to see you.
A Simple Rule to Remember
Preposition + Gerund (–ing form)
Let’s look at a few more examples that follow this same pattern:
- She’s committed to improving her English.
- I’m used to driving on the left side.
- They’re dedicated to helping others.
See the pattern? In each case, to is a preposition followed by a verb in –ing form.
The Role of Continuous Tense and Anticipation
While “look forward to” isn’t in the continuous tense itself, it carries a sense of ongoing anticipation—a feeling that stretches into the future.
The gerund (seeing) helps express that continuity, capturing the excitement of an event that hasn’t happened yet but is being awaited eagerly.
Think of it like saying:
“We’re waiting with excitement to meet you soon.”
It’s a subtle emotional nuance that gives the phrase warmth and anticipation.
When and How to Use “We Look Forward to Seeing You”
This phrase adapts beautifully across both formal and casual settings. Let’s explore both.
In Formal or Professional Settings
In business, emails, or event invitations, “We look forward to seeing you” shows professionalism and positivity. It ends messages gracefully and encourages connection.
Examples:
- “We look forward to seeing you at our annual meeting.”
- “We look forward to seeing you during your upcoming visit.”
- “We look forward to seeing you in our new office space.”
It’s respectful, polished, and universally accepted in corporate communication.
In Personal or Casual Conversations
Among friends or family, the tone becomes warmer and more relaxed.
Examples:
- “We look forward to seeing you at the reunion!”
- “Can’t wait to see you this weekend!”
While the second one drops the formal tone, the meaning stays the same—anticipation and excitement.
Table: Comparing Formal and Informal Usage
| Context | Example | Tone |
|---|---|---|
| Business Email | “We look forward to seeing you at the seminar.” | Formal & professional |
| Event Invitation | “We look forward to seeing you at our wedding.” | Polite & joyful |
| Friendly Chat | “Can’t wait to see you soon!” | Informal & personal |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even native speakers make errors when using “look forward to.” Here are the most frequent ones—and how to fix them fast.
Mistake 1: Using “see” Instead of “seeing”
- ❌ We look forward to see you.
- ✅ We look forward to seeing you.
Why it’s wrong: The word to here is a preposition, not part of an infinitive. So, it must be followed by a gerund.
Mistake 2: Dropping “to”
- ❌ We look forward seeing you.
- ✅ We look forward to seeing you.
Why it’s wrong: To is essential—it connects “look forward” with the gerund phrase.
Mistake 3: Overusing “We are looking forward”
Both “We look forward” and “We are looking forward” are correct, but the nuance changes slightly.
| Phrase | Tone | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| We look forward to seeing you | Neutral, timeless | Professional, written communication |
| We are looking forward to seeing you | More immediate and personal | Spoken English or casual emails |
In short, both are fine, but choose based on tone and formality.
Mistake 4: Mixing Tenses Incorrectly
Avoid sentences like:
❌ We looked forward to see you next week.
The correct tense combination is:
✅ We’re looking forward to seeing you next week.
Correct Variations and Natural Alternatives
Sometimes, using the same phrase repeatedly can sound repetitive—especially in emails. Let’s explore natural alternatives that mean the same thing but fit different tones.
Polite and Professional Alternatives
- “We’re eager to meet you.”
- “We await your visit with pleasure.”
- “We’re anticipating your arrival.”
- “We hope to see you soon.”
- “It will be a pleasure to see you again.”
These maintain professionalism while varying your tone slightly.
Friendly and Conversational Alternatives
- “Can’t wait to see you!”
- “We’re so excited to catch up.”
- “Really looking forward to hanging out again.”
- “Counting down the days until we see you!”
They sound warm and relatable—perfect for personal communication.
Quick Reference Table: Formal vs Informal Alternatives
| Type | Alternative | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Formal | “We’re eager to meet you.” | “We’re eager to meet you in person at the expo.” |
| Formal | “We hope to see you soon.” | “We hope to see you again at next year’s summit.” |
| Informal | “Can’t wait to see you!” | “Can’t wait to see you this summer!” |
| Informal | “Counting down the days!” | “We’re counting down the days until your visit!” |
Grammar Corner: Quick Reference
This section acts as your mini grammar cheat sheet—covering everything linked to “We look forward to seeing you.”
Contractions
Using contractions makes your writing sound natural and less stiff.
| Full Form | Contraction | Example |
|---|---|---|
| We are | We’re | “We’re looking forward to seeing you.” |
| I am | I’m | “I’m looking forward to meeting you.” |
| They are | They’re | “They’re looking forward to hearing from you.” |
Remember: in formal business writing, using the full form (We are) can sound more professional.
Verb Conjugation Refresher
| Tense | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present Simple | look forward | “We look forward to seeing you.” |
| Present Continuous | are looking forward | “We’re looking forward to seeing you.” |
| Past | looked forward | “We looked forward to seeing you at the last event.” |
All are correct—choose based on time and tone.
Gerunds Recap
Gerunds are verbs ending in –ing that act like nouns.
They’re essential after prepositions like to, for, by, in, at, about.
Examples:
- She apologized for interrupting.
- He’s interested in learning.
- We look forward to seeing you.
Remember: the –ing form here doesn’t indicate continuous tense—it’s functioning as a noun.
Practical Case Studies
Case Study 1: Business Email
Incorrect:
Dear Mr. Smith,
We look forward to meet you at our office tomorrow.
Corrected Version:
Dear Mr. Smith,
We look forward to seeing you at our office tomorrow.
Why: “to” is a preposition, so it must be followed by the gerund “seeing.”
Case Study 2: Customer Communication
Incorrect:
We are look forward to seeing you soon.
Correct:
We are looking forward to seeing you soon.
Why: The first version mixes tenses. The correct form uses the present continuous to express ongoing anticipation.
Case Study 3: Friendly Message
Incorrect:
I look forward seeing you next month!
Correct:
I look forward to seeing you next month!
Why: Always keep “to” before the gerund.
5 FAQs About “We Look Forward to Seeing You”
Is “We look forward to seeing you” correct grammar?
Yes. The phrase follows the correct grammatical rule: look forward to + gerund. The word “to” is a preposition, not part of an infinitive.
Can I say “We look forward to see you”?
No. The correct form is “to seeing,” because “to” acts as a preposition and must be followed by a gerund.
Is “We are looking forward to seeing you” more polite?
Both are polite. “We are looking forward” sounds slightly warmer and more personal, while “We look forward” is more formal and often used in business writing.
Can I use “look forward” without “to”?
Not in this context. The phrase always includes “to.” Dropping it makes the sentence ungrammatical.
How should I reply to “We look forward to seeing you”?
You can respond naturally with:
- “I look forward to it as well.”
- “Thank you! I’m excited to see you too.”
- “Same here—I can’t wait!”
Conclusion
The verdict is simple: “We look forward to seeing you” is 100% grammatically correct and stylistically appropriate in almost any setting.
Remember the rule:
Look forward to + gerund (–ing form)
It’s polite, professional, and warmly human—perfect for emails, meetings, and personal notes alike. Whether you’re writing to a client, a colleague, or a friend, this phrase tells them one thing clearly: you care and you’re excited to meet them.
I’m Sameer — a passionate English enthusiast who loves exploring words, grammar, and the art of effective communication. ✍️