Avoir hâte de + Gérondif (Excité par l'avenir)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'look forward to' followed by an '-ing' verb or a noun to express positive anticipation for a future event.
- Always use a gerund (-ing) after 'to', never the base verb. Example: 'I look forward to meeting you.'
- The 'to' here is a preposition, not part of an infinitive. Example: 'I look forward to the weekend.'
- Use the continuous 'am looking forward to' for a more personal, friendly tone in conversation.
Overview
look forward to. C'est l'une des expressions les plus utiles en anglais. Elle vous aide à exprimer l'anticipation et la positivité.to mène toujours à un verbe de base. Vous savez, comme I want to eat.to est en réalité une préposition. Cela signifie qu'il se comporte différemment. Il veut un nom ou un ami qui ressemble à un nom.verb + ing. L'utiliser correctement sépare les pros des débutants. C'est la différence entre un e-mail fluide et un e-mail maladroit.to vous piéger et vous faire commettre une erreur de débutant. Même les anglophones natifs se trompent parfois lorsqu'ils tapent trop vite sur WhatsApp.to dans vos rédactions, voici pourquoi.How This Grammar Works
to. En anglais, to a deux identités différentes. Parfois, c'est juste une marque pour un verbe à l'infinitif.look forward to, vous dirigez votre enthousiasme vers quelque chose. Ce 'quelque chose' doit être un nom. Comme nous voulons utiliser une action (un verbe), nous devons transformer cette action en un nom.ing. Cela transforme see en seeing. Maintenant, seeing agit comme le nom d'une activité.to de s'y accrocher.Formation Pattern
I, You, We, My boss.
look : Vous pouvez utiliser look (habitude/fait) ou am looking (sentiment actuel).
forward to : Ne changez jamais ces mots. Ils forment une équipe.
ing (ex: meeting, going, buying).
I (sujet) + am looking forward to (expression) + chatting (gérondif) + with you later (reste).
to fait partie de l'expression. Ne le traitez pas comme faisant partie du verbe. Si vous dites I look forward to to meeting, vous avez un to de trop ! C'est comme mettre deux chapeaux sur une seule tête. C'est ridicule et encombrant. Vous pouvez aussi utiliser un nom simple au lieu d'un gérondif. I look forward to the weekend est parfaitement correct. Le gérondif est juste la 'version verbe' d'un nom.
When To Use It
I look forward to hearing from you.Looking forward to exploring Tokyo!. Ça marche aussi pour les jeux vidéo. Vous attendez un nouveau DLC ?I'm looking forward to playing the new map. C'est aussi parfait pour les applications de rencontre. Au lieu de dire 'Je veux te voir', essayez I'm looking forward to seeing you.We are looking forward to showing you this hidden gem. Utilisez-le chaque fois que vous voulez montrer que quelque chose dans le futur vous rend heureux.Common Mistakes
I look forward to meet you. C'est le 'piège mortel' de la grammaire anglaise. Cela semble naturel à cause d'expressions comme I want to meet you. Mais rappelez-vous, look forward to est un club spécial. Il a des conditions d'entrée strictes. Seuls les noms et les gérondifs sont autorisés ! Une autre erreur est d'oublier complètement le to. I look forward meeting you donne l'impression qu'il vous manque un membre. C'est gênant. Certains apprenants essaient aussi d'utiliser le passé looked forward to alors qu'ils sont encore enthousiastes. Si l'événement n'a pas encore eu lieu, restez au présent. Utilisez look ou am looking. Faites aussi attention à l'orthographe du gérondif. N'oubliez pas de doubler la consonne si nécessaire (ex: getting, running). Enfin, ne le confondez pas avec looking for. Cela signifie que vous avez perdu vos clés. Looking forward to signifie que vous êtes impatient d'être dans le futur. Confondre les deux peut mener à des conversations très étranges. Imaginez dire à votre patron que vous 'cherchez' (looking for) votre réunion au lieu d'avoir 'hâte d'y être' (looking forward to). L'un semble organisé ; l'autre donne l'impression que vous errez dans les couloirs, perdu !Contrast With Similar Patterns
want to ou hope to ? Ceux-là utilisent l'infinitif. I want to go est un désir direct.I look forward to going est un état d'anticipation. Want concerne le but. Look forward to concerne le sentiment d'attente.I look forward to... est légèrement plus formel.I am looking forward to... est plus personnel et courant à l'oral. Cela semble plus 'actif' et immédiat.plan to.plan to go, vous avez un emploi du temps. Si vous look forward to going, vous avez une émotion. Vous pouvez planifier quelque chose sans être enthousiaste à ce sujet (comme prévoir d'aller chez le dentiste !).look forward to) que pour les choses qui vous font sourire.Quick FAQ
R: Absolument ! I look forward to the party est super.
I'm looking forward to it est correct ?R: Oui, c'est une façon parfaite de terminer une conversation.
R: Généralement, oui. On n'a pas 'hâte' d'avoir un accident de voiture.
R: Aucune virgule n'est nécessaire avant to ou le gérondif.
R: Oui, I was looking forward to the concert (mais il a été annulé).
R: Non, utilisez simplement la forme am ...ing pour rester décontracté.
R: Alors utilisez I'm ready for... ou I'm planning on... à la place.
Looking forward! tout seul ?R: Dans un SMS ou un e-mail rapide, oui. C'est une abréviation très courante.
I look forward to seeing you soon ?R: Oui, c'est une phrase classique et parfaite.
Conjugating 'Look Forward To'
| Tense | Subject | Verb Form | Object (Gerund/Noun) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Present Simple
|
I / You / We / They
|
look forward to
|
meeting you
|
|
Present Simple
|
He / She / It
|
looks forward to
|
the party
|
|
Present Continuous
|
I
|
am looking forward to
|
traveling
|
|
Present Continuous
|
He / She / It
|
is looking forward to
|
seeing us
|
|
Past Simple
|
All subjects
|
looked forward to
|
the break
|
|
Present Perfect
|
I / You / We / They
|
have looked forward to
|
this day
|
Common Contractions
| Full Form | Contraction | Usage |
|---|---|---|
|
I am looking forward to
|
I'm looking forward to
|
Informal/Neutral speech
|
|
You are looking forward to
|
You're looking forward to
|
Informal/Neutral speech
|
|
We are looking forward to
|
We're looking forward to
|
Informal/Neutral speech
|
|
She is looking forward to
|
She's looking forward to
|
Informal/Neutral speech
|
Meanings
To feel happy and excited about something that is going to happen in the future.
Professional Correspondence
A polite way to end a business email or letter, indicating readiness for the next step.
“I look forward to hearing from you soon.”
“We look forward to receiving your proposal.”
Social Anticipation
Expressing personal excitement about a social event or meeting a friend.
“I'm really looking forward to seeing you tonight!”
“Are you looking forward to the party?”
Anticipatory Relief
Looking forward to the end of a difficult period or a break.
“I'm looking forward to finishing this project.”
“She is looking forward to having some peace and quiet.”
Reference Table
| Situation | Exemple de Phrase | Forme Correcte | Émotion Exprimée |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Projets du week-end
|
Looking forward to...
|
…`going` to the beach.
|
Excitation, impatience
|
|
Fin d'email professionnel
|
I look forward to...
|
…`hearing` from you.
|
Attente polie
|
|
Réunion à venir
|
We're looking forward to...
|
…`discussing` this further.
|
Anticipation, préparation
|
|
Événement social
|
She's looking forward to...
|
…`meeting` everyone.
|
Joie, enthousiasme
|
|
Projets de voyage
|
They're looking forward to...
|
…`exploring` the city.
|
Aventure, bonheur
|
|
Détente
|
He's looking forward to...
|
…`unwinding` after work.
|
Soulagement, paix
|
Spectre de formalité
I look forward to meeting with you to discuss the proposal. (Meeting someone)
I'm looking forward to meeting you next week. (Meeting someone)
Looking forward to seeing you! (Meeting someone)
Can't wait to catch up! (Meeting someone)
La Carte Conceptuelle de 'Look Forward To'
Structure
- Subject + (to be) + looking forward to Phrase de base
- Gerund (-ing verb) Action comme un nom
- Noun Objet d'anticipation
Utilisation
- Future Plans Ex: `starting` a new job
- Social Events Ex: `meeting` friends
- Formal Closings Ex: `hearing` from you
Erreur Courante
- Infinitive (to + base verb) Incorrect (ex: `to go`)
- Missing 'to be' Incorrect (ex: `I looking forward`)
Émotion
- Excitement Sentiment positif fort
- Anticipation Attente impatiente
Look Forward To vs. Excited To
Utiliser 'Look Forward To' Correctement
Veux-tu exprimer une anticipation enthousiaste pour un événement ou une action future ?
L'action est-elle un verbe ?
Ta phrase est-elle complète avec (Sujet + to be + looking forward to + Gérondif/Nom) ?
Ce que nous attendons avec impatience (Look Forward To)
Loisirs & Fun
- • traveling
- • relaxing
- • playing games
- • watching movies
Social & Famille
- • meeting friends
- • visiting family
- • catching up
- • celebrating birthdays
Travail & Études
- • starting a new job
- • collaborating on projects
- • presenting ideas
- • learning new skills
Anticipation Quotidienne
- • having coffee
- • getting home
- • eating dinner
- • the weekend
Exemples par niveau
I look forward to the party.
Espero con ansias la fiesta.
I look forward to meeting you.
Espero conocerte.
We look forward to the holiday.
Esperamos las vacaciones.
I look forward to your call.
Espero tu llamada.
I am looking forward to seeing my family.
Estoy deseando ver a mi familia.
She is looking forward to starting school.
Ella está ansiosa por empezar la escuela.
Are you looking forward to the concert?
¿Tienes ganas del concierto?
They are not looking forward to the rain.
No tienen ganas de que llueva.
I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.
Quedo a la espera de sus noticias lo antes posible.
We are really looking forward to visiting the new gallery.
Tenemos muchas ganas de visitar la nueva galería.
He was looking forward to retiring after forty years of work.
Él estaba deseando jubilarse después de cuarenta años de trabajo.
I'm looking forward to not having to wake up early tomorrow.
Tengo ganas de no tener que despertarme temprano mañana.
I look forward to representing the company at the upcoming conference.
Espero representar a la empresa en la próxima conferencia.
The team is looking forward to implementing the new software updates.
El equipo está ansioso por implementar las nuevas actualizaciones de software.
I've been looking forward to this dinner for weeks.
He estado esperando esta cena durante semanas.
She is looking forward to having her hard work finally recognized.
Ella espera que su arduo trabajo sea finalmente reconocido.
We look forward to forging a long-lasting partnership with your firm.
Esperamos forjar una asociación duradera con su firma.
I look forward to your providing a detailed explanation for these discrepancies.
Espero que proporcione una explicación detallada de estas discrepancias.
The researchers are looking forward to analyzing the data gathered during the eclipse.
Los investigadores esperan analizar los datos recopilados durante el eclipse.
I'm looking forward to there being more transparency in the future.
Espero que haya más transparencia en el futuro.
One might look forward to the day when such measures are no longer necessary.
Uno podría esperar el día en que tales medidas ya no sean necesarias.
I look forward to the resolution of this matter with the utmost anticipation.
Espero la resolución de este asunto con la mayor anticipación.
He looked forward to the trial as a means of vindicating his reputation.
Él esperaba el juicio como un medio para reivindicar su reputación.
The protagonist looks forward to a future unburdened by the ghosts of his past.
El protagonista anhela un futuro libre de los fantasmas de su pasado.
Facile à confondre
Learners use 'look forward to' for neutral things like a bus or a doctor's appointment.
Learners think every 'to' must be followed by a base verb.
Expect is about probability; look forward to is about emotion.
Erreurs courantes
I look forward to see you.
I look forward to seeing you.
I look forward meeting you.
I look forward to meeting you.
I am looking forward the party.
I am looking forward to the party.
I looking forward to it.
I am looking forward to it.
She looks forward to go home.
She looks forward to going home.
I look forward to hear from you.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Are you look forward to the trip?
Are you looking forward to the trip?
I look forward to your come.
I look forward to your coming.
I look forward to the bus arriving.
I am waiting for the bus to arrive.
I look forward to meet with you.
I look forward to meeting with you.
I look forward to you joining us.
I look forward to your joining us.
Structures de phrases
I am looking forward to ___.
I am looking forward to ___ing ___.
We look forward to ___ing from you soon.
I'm not looking forward to ___ing ___.
Real World Usage
I look forward to hearing your feedback on the draft.
Looking forward to the movie tonight!
I look forward to the possibility of joining your team.
We look forward to welcoming you to our hotel.
So looking forward to starting this new chapter!
We look forward to serving you again soon!
Pense 'Préposition + Nom'
N'utilise Pas l'Infinitif !
(PAS to see you")Raccourcis pour les Contextes Informels
Looking forward to it!
La Phrase d'Or pour Conclure un Email
I look forward to hearing from you.
Souligne avec des Adverbes
Smart Tips
Use the Present Simple 'I look forward to' to sound more professional and established.
Try to put a noun after it. If it works, use -ing for the verb.
Add 'really' or 'so' to the continuous form.
Use 'I look forward to hearing from you' as a polite way to ask for an answer.
Prononciation
The 'to' reduction
In casual speech, 'to' is often reduced to a 'schwa' sound /tə/.
Linking 'forward' and 'to'
The 'd' in forward often links smoothly to the 't' in to, sounding almost like one word.
Rising excitement
I'm looking FORWARD to it! ↗
Emphasis on 'forward' shows high enthusiasm.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Remember: 'Look forward to' is a bridge to a NOUN. Since a Gerund acts like a noun, it's the only verb form allowed across the bridge.
Association visuelle
Imagine yourself standing on a balcony, looking through a telescope at a giant '-ING' sign in the distance. You are looking forward to reaching that sign.
Rhyme
When you look forward to a thing, make sure the verb ends in -ING!
Story
Leo was a businessman who always wrote 'I look forward to meet you.' He never got any jobs. One day, a bird named Gerund dropped an '-ING' on his letter. He got the job immediately!
Word Web
Défi
Write three sentences about things you are excited about this month. One must be a noun, and two must be gerunds (-ing verbs).
Notes culturelles
Using 'I look forward to hearing from you' is the standard, polite way to end an email. Omitting it can sometimes seem abrupt or rude.
This phrase is the closest equivalent to 'Yoroshiku onegaishimasu' when used at the end of a request or introduction.
On platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn, 'Looking forward!' is a common short comment on event posts.
The phrase combines the literal act of 'looking' in a 'forward' direction with the preposition 'to' indicating the destination.
Amorces de conversation
What are you looking forward to this weekend?
Is there a holiday or trip you are looking forward to?
In your career, what milestones are you looking forward to achieving?
Looking back, what was something you were looking forward to that lived up to the hype?
Sujets d'écriture
Erreurs courantes
Test Yourself
My sister is really looking forward to ___ her new puppy home.
Find and fix the mistake:
The team is looking forward to present their ideas at the meeting.
Translate into English: 'Estoy deseando ir de vacaciones el próximo mes.'
Answer starts with: ["I...
Score: /3
Exercices pratiques
8 exercisesI look forward to ___ (meet) you in person.
Which sentence is best for closing a professional letter?
Find and fix the mistake:
She is looking forward to go to the beach this weekend.
I am excited about the party.
1. I look forward to... / 2. I am looking forward to... / 3. We look forward to...
A: Are you coming to the wedding? B: Yes! I'm really ___.
Pick the odd one out.
forward / to / looking / I / meeting / am / you
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesI'm truly looking forward to ___ you at the conference.
She is looking forward for her birthday party next week.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'Estoy deseando leer el nuevo libro.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the beginnings with the correct endings:
The whole family is looking forward to ___ on vacation next month.
He is very looking forward to travel abroad.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'Esperamos con interés sus comentarios.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the emotions with the correct phrases:
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
No. You must say `I look forward to seeing you`. In this phrase, 'to' is a preposition, and prepositions are followed by nouns or gerunds (-ing).
`I look forward to` is more formal and common in business letters. `I am looking forward to` is more personal and common in conversation or friendly emails.
Yes! You can say `I look forward to the weekend` or `I look forward to your email`.
Yes, you can say `I'm not looking forward to the exam`. It means you are dreading it or not excited about it.
In casual conversation or texting, yes. In formal writing, you should include the subject and verb: `I am looking forward to it`.
Yes. `I was looking forward to the concert, but it was canceled`. This shows you were excited in the past.
Because 'to' is a preposition here, not an infinitive marker. Prepositions always take the -ing form of a verb.
No, it must be `I look forward to meeting with you`. The 'with' doesn't change the rule for the gerund.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Esperar con ansias / Tener ganas de
English uses -ing; Spanish uses the infinitive.
Avoir hâte de / Se réjouir de
French uses the infinitive after 'de'.
Sich freuen auf
German requires a prepositional object or a full clause.
楽しみにしてる (Tanoshimi ni shite iru)
Japanese uses a noun-based construction rather than a phrasal verb.
يتطلع إلى (Yatatalla'u ila)
Very similar structure, as both use a verbal noun/gerund.
期待 (Qīdài)
No preposition is needed in Chinese.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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