B2 Expression Formal 7 min read

We look forward to working with you

Formal business communication expression

In 15 Seconds

  • Expresses professional enthusiasm.
  • Signals readiness for collaboration.
  • Common in business communication.
  • Sets a positive, anticipatory tone.

Meaning

This phrase is your professional high-five, saying, 'Hey, I'm genuinely excited to team up with you on this!' It carries a positive, anticipatory vibe, letting someone know you're not just ready but also eager to begin a new project or continue an existing partnership. It's about building bridges and showing enthusiasm for future joint efforts.

Key Examples

3 of 10
1

Closing an email after a successful job interview.

Thank you for the wonderful opportunity; `we look forward to working with you`.

Thank you for the wonderful opportunity; we are excited to start working together.

2

Texting a new project partner after an initial meeting.

Great meeting today! `Looking forward to working with you` on this project.

Great meeting today! I'm excited to collaborate with you on this project.

3

Instagram caption for a new business partnership announcement.

Excited to announce our collaboration with @AwesomeCo! `We look forward to working with you` to innovate the future. #PartnershipGoals

Excited to announce our collaboration with @AwesomeCo! We are eager to cooperate with you to innovate the future. #PartnershipGoals

🌍

Cultural Background

This phrase, deeply rooted in Western business etiquette, emerged as a standard closing in formal correspondence to foster positive relations. Its persistence reflects a cultural value placed on collaboration, professionalism, and forward-thinking in commercial and organizational interactions. It's a subtle but powerful signal of intent, designed to create an environment of mutual respect and shared goals before any work even begins, acting as a lubricant for professional relationships.

🎯

Use for Gravitas

This phrase isn't just polite; it adds weight to your commitment. Using it after a big decision or agreement shows you're serious and invested. It’s like putting a stamp of approval on future teamwork.

⚠️

Gerund is Your Friend!

A common gaffe is saying 'look forward to work' instead of 'look forward to working'. Remember, 'to' in 'look forward to' is a preposition, so it must be followed by a noun or a gerund (-ing form of a verb). Misusing it can make you sound less polished than you are!

In 15 Seconds

  • Expresses professional enthusiasm.
  • Signals readiness for collaboration.
  • Common in business communication.
  • Sets a positive, anticipatory tone.

What It Means

Ever felt that buzz before a big project starts? That's the feeling this phrase captures. We look forward to working with you is your polite, professional way to say, 'Can't wait to get started!' It's not just a filler phrase. It truly means you're enthusiastic about the upcoming collaboration. You're signaling readiness and a positive attitude. Think of it as verbal sunshine for your new partnership. It sets a hopeful and productive tone.

How To Use It

Using this phrase is pretty straightforward. You drop it in at the end of a conversation or email. It's perfect after agreeing on terms or confirming a new venture. Imagine closing a deal – this phrase wraps it up neatly. It shows good manners and professionalism. You can use it in a formal email or a slightly more casual chat. Just make sure the 'you' refers to the person or team you'll be collaborating with. It's a verbal handshake. It tells them you value the connection. And perhaps you're secretly hoping they bring good coffee to meetings.

Formality & Register

This phrase comfortably sits in the formal to neutral register. It's a staple in business communications. You'll hear it in corporate boardrooms and read it in official letters. But it's also flexible enough for a professional email between colleagues. Avoid it in super casual settings. You wouldn't text your friend, 'Dude, we look forward to working with you on pizza night.' That would be a bit much. For professional emails, it's gold. For chatting with your boss, it's just right. It strikes a balance – polite but not stuffy. Like wearing a blazer with jeans; smart but approachable.

Real-Life Examples

Picture this: a job offer letter concludes with We look forward to working with you. Or, after a successful pitch, a client says, 'We're happy to move forward, we look forward to working with you.' It’s the closing line of a successful collaboration email. A project manager might use it after assigning tasks. Even a landlord confirming a lease might say, We look forward to working with you as a tenant. It’s a common, comforting phrase. You hear it after signing contracts. It's the linguistic equivalent of a 'Welcome Aboard!' banner.

When To Use It

Use this phrase when you want to express enthusiasm for a future professional interaction. Think new jobs, new clients, new projects. It’s perfect after a positive meeting. When you’ve just established a new business relationship, it seals the deal. After a long negotiation, it signals goodwill. You can use it when onboarding a new team member. Or even when finalizing a volunteer project. It’s a versatile phrase for any new beginning that involves collaboration. It's also great for restarting a paused project. Basically, whenever you're about to make magic with others.

When NOT To Use It

Don't use this phrase in highly informal or personal contexts. It would sound weirdly stiff with friends or family. For instance, after asking your sibling to help you move, don't say we look forward to working with you on the couch. Also, avoid it if there's any tension or disagreement. It can come across as disingenuous if the relationship is rocky. If someone just quit, definitely skip this phrase! It's not a peace offering. It's for positive, forward-looking interactions. If you're feeling grumpy, maybe just say 'Okay' instead. Honesty is the best policy, even if it's brief.

Common Mistakes

Sometimes learners make it too personal or too formal in the wrong context.

I look forward to working with you (when speaking for a team) We look forward to working with you (if representing a group).
We looking forward to working with you (missing 'are') We are looking forward to working with you (or the slightly more formal We look forward to working with you).

Remember, looking forward to uses the present continuous. Look forward to is the simple present. Both are correct, but the former is slightly more common in spoken English. Just don't mix them up like socks in the laundry.

Common Variations

There are many ways to tweak this phrase. You can shorten it: Looking forward to working with you! (more casual). You can make it more active: Eager to collaborate! For a more personal touch: I'm excited to work with you. If you want to specify: We look forward to working with you on the X project. Regional differences are subtle; it's a pretty standard business phrase globally. Generational shifts might see Super stoked to collaborate! on a Slack channel. But the core meaning remains. Sometimes you'll see We anticipate a productive collaboration, which is very formal. Choose your adventure!

Real Conversations

Email:

M

Manager

"We've reviewed your proposal and are excited to move forward."
C

Client

"That's fantastic news! We look forward to working with you to bring this vision to life."

Video Call:

R

Recruiter

"Congratulations on the offer! We're thrilled to have you join our team."
C

Candidate

"Thank you so much! I look forward to working with you all."

Text (professional context):

Project Lead: "Meeting confirmed for Tuesday. Final docs attached."

Team Member: "Got it! Looking forward to working with you then."

LinkedIn Message:

Networking Contact: "Great chat today! Let's connect on this next week."

Y

You

"Definitely! I look forward to working with you on that new initiative."

Quick FAQ

Q: Is look forward to always followed by a verb + -ing?

A: Yes, when it's followed by a verb, it should be in the -ing form (gerund). For example, I look forward to hearing from you or We look forward to meeting you. It's a common grammatical 'gotcha'. Think of 'to' here as a preposition, not part of an infinitive. Confusing, I know, but you'll get it.

Q: Can I use 'I' instead of 'We'?

A: Absolutely! Use 'I' if you're speaking only for yourself. Use 'We' if you're representing a group, team, or company. Always match your pronoun to your role. It's like choosing the right avatar for your message. Don't show up as a team if you're flying solo. Or vice-versa!

Q: Is it okay to shorten it to 'Looking forward to it'?

A: Yes, but only in more casual or familiar professional settings. Looking forward to it is great for quick replies among colleagues. In formal documents or initial communications, stick to the full phrase for clarity and professionalism. It's like using slang with your boss – sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

Q: What if I'm not actually looking forward to it?

A: Ah, the eternal dilemma! While honesty is great, in professional contexts, We look forward to working with you is often a polite formality. It signals professionalism and good faith, even if you're internally bracing for impact. It's less about your personal feelings and more about presenting a positive, collaborative front. Sometimes you gotta fake it 'til you make it... professionally speaking, of course.

Q: Does 'look forward to' imply waiting?

A: Yes, it implies anticipation and a positive expectation of something in the future. It conveys a sense of eager waiting, but in a proactive and engaged way, not a passive one. You're not just waiting around; you're waiting with your sleeves rolled up, ready to jump in.

Usage Notes

This phrase is a cornerstone of polite, professional communication, primarily used in business and formal contexts. Remember to follow 'to' with a gerund (-ing verb) or a noun. It effectively conveys anticipation and enthusiasm, setting a positive tone for future interactions, but avoid it in overly casual personal conversations to prevent sounding stiff.

🎯

Use for Gravitas

This phrase isn't just polite; it adds weight to your commitment. Using it after a big decision or agreement shows you're serious and invested. It’s like putting a stamp of approval on future teamwork.

⚠️

Gerund is Your Friend!

A common gaffe is saying 'look forward to work' instead of 'look forward to working'. Remember, 'to' in 'look forward to' is a preposition, so it must be followed by a noun or a gerund (-ing form of a verb). Misusing it can make you sound less polished than you are!

💬

More Than Just Words

In many Western business cultures, this phrase signifies good faith and a desire for harmony in the professional relationship. It's not just about the work, but about the positive relationship you're building with your collaborators. It's a key part of professional decorum.

💡

Personalize It

While a standard phrase, you can still personalize it by adding a specific detail. Instead of just 'working with you', try 'working with you on the innovative marketing strategy'. This shows you're engaged and attentive to details.

Examples

10
#1 Closing an email after a successful job interview.

Thank you for the wonderful opportunity; `we look forward to working with you`.

Thank you for the wonderful opportunity; we are excited to start working together.

A polite and professional way to express eagerness after an interview, anticipating a positive outcome.

#2 Texting a new project partner after an initial meeting.

Great meeting today! `Looking forward to working with you` on this project.

Great meeting today! I'm excited to collaborate with you on this project.

A slightly more casual but still professional way to express anticipation via text.

#3 Instagram caption for a new business partnership announcement.

Excited to announce our collaboration with @AwesomeCo! `We look forward to working with you` to innovate the future. #PartnershipGoals

Excited to announce our collaboration with @AwesomeCo! We are eager to cooperate with you to innovate the future. #PartnershipGoals

Using the phrase in a public, social media context to convey enthusiasm for a new venture.

#4 A client sending an email to a newly hired contractor.

`We look forward to working with you` on the upcoming marketing campaign, starting next Monday.

We are eager to collaborate with you on the upcoming marketing campaign, starting next Monday.

Clearly stating anticipation for the beginning of a specific project.

#5 A team leader addressing new interns on their first day.

Welcome aboard, everyone! `We truly look forward to working with you` and seeing your contributions.

Welcome aboard, everyone! We are genuinely excited to collaborate with you and see your contributions.

Using 'truly' to add a touch of sincerity and warmth to the welcome.

#6 In a formal project proposal acceptance email.

Our committee has approved your proposal. `We look forward to working with you` to implement these changes.

Our committee has approved your proposal. We anticipate collaborating with you to implement these changes.

A formal and definitive statement of future collaboration after an official approval.

#7 A humorous take on an undesirable but necessary task.

Alright team, budget season is here! (Sigh...) `We look forward to working with you` all to make these numbers sing!

Alright team, budget season is here! (Sigh...) We anticipate collaborating with you all to make these numbers sing!

Using the phrase ironically or with slight humor to lighten a less exciting task.

#8 A heartfelt message to a long-term collaborator after a difficult phase.

Through thick and thin, our partnership endures. `We look forward to working with you` on rebuilding and achieving new heights.

Through thick and thin, our partnership endures. We anticipate collaborating with you on rebuilding and achieving new heights.

Expressing continued commitment and hope for future success after overcoming challenges.

#9 Common mistake: missing the auxiliary verb 'are' or using an infinitive.

✗ `We looking forward to work with you.` → ✓ `We are looking forward to working with you.`

✗ We are eager to work with you. → ✓ We are eager to collaborate with you.

The verb `look forward to` is followed by a gerund (-ing form), not an infinitive, and requires an auxiliary verb ('are' for 'we').

#10 Common mistake: confusing `I` with `We` when speaking for a group.

✗ (CEO speaking to a new acquisition) `I look forward to working with you.` → ✓ `We look forward to working with you.`

✗ (CEO speaking to a new acquisition) I am eager to collaborate with you. → ✓ We are eager to collaborate with you.

When representing an organization or team, 'we' is the appropriate pronoun, not 'I'.

Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: working

The phrase 'look forward to' is a phrasal verb that is followed by a gerund (verb + -ing). Therefore, 'working' is the correct form.

Choose the correct option.

Which sentence correctly uses the phrase?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: B) We look forward to working with you.

Option B uses the correct gerund form 'working' after 'look forward to'. Options A and C use infinitives incorrectly. Option D is missing 'are'.

Find and fix the error.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer:

After 'looking forward to', a gerund (verb ending in -ing) must be used. 'Start' should be 'starting'.

Complete the sentence with the appropriate pronoun.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: We

Since the sentence refers to 'a company' and 'our new clients,' the pronoun 'We' is appropriate to represent the collective entity.

Put the words in correct order to form a polite sentence.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer:

The standard construction is 'We look forward to + gerund + with you.'.

Translate this sentence into formal English.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer:

'Ansiosos por' translates to 'look forward to' and 'colaborar' means 'to work with' or 'collaborate'. 'Empreendimento' is best translated as 'endeavor' in a formal context.

🎉 Score: /6

Visual Learning Aids

Professional Anticipation Spectrum

Very Casual

Too informal for this phrase

Can't wait!

Casual Professional

Slightly relaxed, familiar

Looking forward to it!

Neutral Professional

Standard, polite, direct

We look forward to working with you.

Formal Professional

Polite, established, business-oriented

We anticipate a productive collaboration.

When to Say 'We Look Forward To Working With You'

New Collaboration
🤝

Job Offer Accepted

Welcome! We look forward to working with you.

💼

New Client Onboarding

Great meeting! We look forward to working with you.

🚀

Project Kick-off Email

Excited to start! We look forward to working with you.

📜

Partnership Agreement

Signed! We look forward to working with you.

💰

Investor Relations

Appreciate your trust. We look forward to working with you.

🗣️

Conference Follow-up

Enjoyed our chat. We look forward to working with you.

Similar Ways to Express Anticipation

Formal & Direct
We look forward to working with you. Standard, professional, polite.
We anticipate a productive collaboration. Very formal, emphasizes outcome.
More Personal
I'm excited to work with you. Expresses individual enthusiasm.
Thrilled to be working together. Stronger emotional expression.
Casual & Brief
Looking forward to it! Common in quick professional chats.
Can't wait to get started! Informal, high enthusiasm.

Key Aspects of 'We Look Forward To Working With You'

🌐

Contexts

  • Business Emails
  • Job Offers
  • Project Agreements
  • Client Communications
🗣️

Tone

  • Positive
  • Anticipatory
  • Professional
  • Polite
📝

Grammar Tips

  • Followed by -ing (gerund)
  • Use 'We' for groups
  • Use 'I' for self
  • Often used in closings

Alternatives

  • Excited to collaborate
  • Eager to partner
  • Anticipate cooperation
  • Thrilled to work together

Practice Bank

6 exercises
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb. Fill Blank beginner

After signing the contract, the manager said, "We look forward to ___ with you."

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: working

The phrase 'look forward to' is a phrasal verb that is followed by a gerund (verb + -ing). Therefore, 'working' is the correct form.

Choose the correct option. Choose beginner

Which sentence correctly uses the phrase?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: B) We look forward to working with you.

Option B uses the correct gerund form 'working' after 'look forward to'. Options A and C use infinitives incorrectly. Option D is missing 'are'.

Find and fix the error. Error Fix intermediate

Find and fix the mistake:

The team is looking forward to start the new project.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The team is looking forward to starting the new project.

After 'looking forward to', a gerund (verb ending in -ing) must be used. 'Start' should be 'starting'.

Complete the sentence with the appropriate pronoun. Fill Blank intermediate

As a company, ___ look forward to working with our new clients.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: We

Since the sentence refers to 'a company' and 'our new clients,' the pronoun 'We' is appropriate to represent the collective entity.

Put the words in correct order to form a polite sentence. Reorder advanced

Arrange the words in the correct order:

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: We look forward to working with you.

The standard construction is 'We look forward to + gerund + with you.'.

Translate this sentence into formal English. Translate advanced

Estamos ansiosos por colaborar com você neste empreendimento.

Hints: ansiosos por, empreendimento

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: We look forward to working with you on this endeavor.

'Ansiosos por' translates to 'look forward to' and 'colaborar' means 'to work with' or 'collaborate'. 'Empreendimento' is best translated as 'endeavor' in a formal context.

🎉 Score: /6

Frequently Asked Questions

18 questions

This phrase expresses a sincere and professional anticipation for future collaboration. It signifies that you are eager, enthusiastic, and ready to begin or continue a professional relationship, often used to set a positive tone at the start of a project or partnership. It's your way of saying, 'I'm genuinely excited about our upcoming teamwork.'

Both are acceptable, but the choice depends on who you are representing. Use 'I' if you are speaking solely for yourself, for example, in a personal email or when accepting a job offer. Use 'We' if you are representing a team, company, or organization, as it conveys a collective sentiment. Always align the pronoun with your role in the communication.

Both are grammatically correct and convey anticipation, but 'looking forward to' (present continuous) is slightly more common and feels a bit more immediate and ongoing, especially in spoken English. 'Look forward to' (simple present) is often perceived as a touch more formal or definitive. Choose based on the nuance you wish to convey and the overall formality of your message.

The best time to use this phrase is typically at the end of an email that confirms an agreement, initiates a new project, or welcomes a new member to a team or partnership. It serves as a polite and positive closing, reinforcing goodwill and enthusiasm for the upcoming collaboration. It perfectly wraps up communications where future joint efforts are anticipated.

While grammatically correct, using 'We look forward to working with you' in casual conversation with friends would sound overly formal and out of place. It's reserved almost exclusively for professional or semi-formal business interactions. For friends, simpler phrases like 'Can't wait to hang out!' or 'Looking forward to it!' are much more natural and appropriate.

In professional contexts, this phrase often functions as a polite formality to maintain a positive working relationship, even if your personal enthusiasm is low. It's about demonstrating professionalism and a cooperative attitude, rather than a literal expression of your innermost feelings. Use it to foster a constructive environment, but perhaps follow up with internal strategies if genuine collaboration is a challenge.

Yes, for more informal settings, you can use phrases like 'Excited to work together!', 'Can't wait to collaborate!', 'Looking forward to it!', or 'Glad we're teaming up!'. These options convey similar enthusiasm but with a more relaxed and personal tone, suitable for internal team chats or less formal client interactions. Always match the alternative to your audience and context.

For highly formal contexts, consider alternatives like 'We anticipate a productive collaboration', 'We welcome the opportunity to collaborate', or 'We are eager to commence our partnership'. These phrases elevate the level of formality and gravitas, suitable for official documents, high-level correspondence, or diplomatic communications. They emphasize a more considered and strategic approach to future work.

This phrase reflects cultural values in many Western business environments that prioritize positivity, collaboration, and a forward-looking approach to professional relationships. It underscores the importance of mutual respect and establishing a constructive foundation before engaging in joint endeavors. It's a linguistic tool for building rapport and signaling cooperative intent in a polite manner.

Not necessarily a long-term commitment, but it definitely implies a commitment to the immediate or upcoming project or partnership. It signals a readiness to engage productively for the agreed-upon duration, whether that's a one-off task or an ongoing relationship. The 'working with you' part focuses on the action of collaboration itself, not necessarily its longevity.

No, that is a common grammatical error. The correct form is 'We look forward to hearing from you'. The 'to' in 'look forward to' acts as a preposition, and prepositions are followed by nouns or gerunds (the -ing form of a verb). Always remember to use the gerund after this specific phrasal verb to maintain grammatical correctness and sound natural.

If you want to convey enthusiasm with a touch less formality, you could say 'I'm excited to work with you' or 'Looking forward to teaming up!' These options inject a bit more personal warmth while still being professional enough for many business contexts. They convey genuine eagerness without the slightly more rigid tone of 'We look forward to working with you'.

Yes, 'We look forward to working with you' is widely understood and commonly used across all major English-speaking countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It's a standard professional idiom that transcends minor regional linguistic differences, making it a safe and effective choice for international business communications. Its universality is one of its strengths.

While grammatically possible, it would be highly unusual and sound sarcastic or ironic to use 'We look forward to working with you' in anticipation of something negative. The phrase inherently carries a positive and hopeful connotation. If you're anticipating a difficult but necessary collaboration, you'd likely use a more neutral or direct expression. Stick to positive expectations when using this phrase.

The 'We' in this phrase emphasizes a collective or institutional perspective, rather than just an individual one. It indicates that the sentiment of anticipation and readiness for collaboration comes from a group, team, or entire organization. This adds weight and authority to the statement, making it particularly suitable for formal business communications. It shows unified intent.

To make it sound more sincere, you can add adverbs like 'truly' or 'genuinely', as in 'We truly look forward to working with you'. You can also follow it up with a specific mention of what you're excited about, like 'especially on the sustainability initiative'. Specificity and genuine enthusiasm in your tone (if spoken) or follow-up actions (if written) enhance sincerity. A little detail goes a long way.

Yes, 'collaborate with' often implies a more intensive, shared effort where ideas are exchanged freely and responsibilities might be more intertwined. 'Work with' can be broader, encompassing anything from simply cooperating on tasks to full collaboration. While often interchangeable, 'collaborate' can suggest a deeper level of joint creative or strategic engagement. Choose 'collaborate' when you want to highlight shared intellectual input.

Even if the project starts immediately, using 'We look forward to working with you' is still appropriate. It serves as a strong, positive closing and a bridge into the next phase. It signals that despite the quick transition, the enthusiasm for the partnership remains. It’s a way to express anticipation for the *process* of working together, regardless of how soon it begins.

Related Phrases

😊

I'm excited to work with you

informal version

Expresses personal enthusiasm for a future collaboration.

This is a more personal and slightly less formal version of the original phrase, focusing on individual excitement rather than a collective or corporate statement, making it suitable for direct peer-to-peer communication.

👔

We anticipate a productive collaboration

formal version

A very formal way to state expectation for successful teamwork.

This phrase is considerably more formal and academic, often used in official reports or high-stakes business proposals where a more elevated and objective tone is desired over personal enthusiasm.

😊

Looking forward to it!

informal version

A concise and casual expression of anticipation.

This is a much shorter and more casual way to express the same sentiment, suitable for quick replies in texts or informal emails among colleagues who already have an established rapport.

🔗

Glad to be working with you

related topic

Expresses happiness about a current or ongoing collaboration.

While 'look forward to' is anticipatory, 'glad to be working with you' expresses satisfaction with the *current* state of collaboration, making it relevant for ongoing projects rather than just future ones.

🔄

Eager to partner with you

synonym

Shows strong desire and readiness to form a partnership.

This phrase is a direct synonym, conveying a similar level of professional enthusiasm and readiness for collaboration, often used interchangeably in business contexts but emphasizing the 'partnership' aspect.

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