In "look forward to," the TO is a PREPOSITION (not part of the infinitive) — which is why it is followed by a GERUND (+ing), not an infinitive. "Look forward to MEETING you" = correct. "Look forward to MEET you" = INCORRECT. Same pattern: "used to," "object to," "be committed to" + gerund.
LOOK FORWARD TO + GERUND: "look forward to" is a PREPOSITIONAL PHRASAL VERB where TO is a preposition, NOT the infinitive particle. This distinction is crucial: when TO functions as a preposition, it is followed by a NOUN or GERUND (verbal noun = -ing form), NEVER a bare verb (infinitive without to). "I look forward to meeting you in person" = gerund. "I look forward to the conference" = noun. The noun test: if you can substitute the verb+ing with a noun and it is still correct, then TO is a preposition and you need a gerund. "I look forward to the meeting" = correct. "I look forward to meeting" = correct. "I look forward to meet" = INCORRECT. FORMAL EXPRESSION: "I look forward to hearing from you" is one of the most common closing clauses in professional and business English.
I look forward to discussing your team's progress on the digital migration at our scheduled review next Thursday, and to exploring how we can better support the project going forward.
The organization is committed to providing all employees with the resources and training necessary to meet the new compliance requirements that take effect at the beginning of next quarter.
Several board members have already indicated that they would object to any proposal that results in a reduction of the dividend, regardless of the strategic rationale presented.
EXPECT / HOPE / WANT / INTEND / PLAN + INFINITIVE: these verbs are followed by TO + BARE VERB (full infinitive), not gerund. "I expect to receive a response by Friday." "She hopes to present the findings at the next board meeting." In these cases, TO IS PART OF THE INFINITIVE (to receive, to present), not a preposition. OTHER VERBS + TO + GERUND (FREQUENT TRAP): Besides "look forward to," other verbs and expressions where TO is a preposition and require a GERUND: "object to" (to oppose) + gerund. "be committed to" + gerund. "be used to / get used to" + gerund (different from "used to" indicating past habit, which takes an infinitive). "be dedicated to" + gerund. "be opposed to" + gerund. "contribute to" + gerund. "resort to" + gerund.
The executive team expects to finalize the organizational design by the end of this month and to begin communicating the new structure to all employees through a series of town hall sessions.
We hope to announce the appointment of the new Chief Operating Officer within the next two to three weeks, once the final reference checks have been completed to the board's satisfaction.
The project managers intend to present a revised timeline at next week's steering committee meeting that accounts for the additional complexity identified during the most recent technical assessment.
Common mistake
THE MOST CLASSIC ERROR: "I look forward to hear from you" = INCORRECT (very common in professional English from Spanish speakers). "I look forward to HEARING from you" = correct. "USED TO" CONFUSION: USED TO + INFINITIVE = past habit: "I used to work in finance." BE USED TO / GET USED TO + GERUND = to be/get accustomed to: "I am used to working long hours." The "to" is different in each case. SUBSTITUTION TRICK: replace the verb+ing with "it" or a noun. If the sentence is still correct, TO is a preposition and you need a gerund. "I look forward to it" = correct = TO is a preposition = "look forward to DOING" (gerund). "I expect it" = correct = but "I expect TO DO" (infinitive, not gerund), because EXPECT does not take the preposition TO.
Trick to remember it
PREPOSITION TO TEST: if you can substitute [verb + TO + X] with [verb + TO + noun] and it makes sense, then TO is a PREPOSITION and X needs to be a GERUND. "I look forward to the meeting" = correct = "I look forward to MEETING them" (gerund). "I expect the results" = correct = "I expect TO RECEIVE the results" (infinitive, not gerund). MOST COMMON TO-PREPOSITION LIST: look forward to, be committed to, object to, be used to, get used to, be opposed to, contribute to, resort to, be dedicated to = all + gerund. PRACTICAL TIP: in formal professional emails, never write "I look forward to hear" — it is one of the errors that stands out most to native readers.
Quick rule
"Look forward to" + GERUND (-ing) because TO is a preposition (not part of the infinitive). Test: substitute a noun — "look forward to the meeting" works = "look forward to MEETING" (gerund). Other TO-preposition + gerund: be committed to, object to, be used to, get used to. In infinitives (expect/hope/want/intend + TO VERB), TO is part of the infinitive.
Did you know?
The phrase "I look forward to hearing from you" is the most widely used email closing clause in the professional English-speaking world. According to corpus analysis of business communications in English, it appears in approximately 68% of all formal professional emails, surpassing even "Best regards" (which is a sign-off, not a clause). Ironically, because of its extreme frequency, many business communication experts now consider it TOO GENERIC and recommend more specific alternatives like "I look forward to discussing this with you on Thursday" or "I look forward to receiving your feedback by Friday." The formula risks sounding like a boilerplate template. However, for professional English learners, mastering this construction (+ gerund) remains one of the highest-priority objectives.
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
The senior leadership team is genuinely committed to _____ a more inclusive and diverse working environment at every level of the organization.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
Following the initial presentations, I look forward to _____ more about your organization's approach to supply chain resilience and exploring potential areas for collaboration.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
"Look forward to" + GERUND (-ing) because TO is a preposition (not part of the infinitive). Test: substitute a noun — "look forward to the meeting" works = "look forward to MEETING" (gerund). Other TO-preposition + gerund: be committed to, object to, be used to, get used to. In infinitives (expect/hope/want/intend + TO VERB), TO is part of the infinitive.
THE MOST CLASSIC ERROR: "I look forward to hear from you" = INCORRECT (very common in professional English from Spanish speakers). "I look forward to HEARING from you" = correct. "USED TO" CONFUSION: USED TO + INFINITIVE = past habit: "I used to work in finance." BE USED TO / GET USED TO + GERUND = to be/get accustomed to: "I am used to working long hours." The "to" is different in each case. SUBSTITUTION TRICK: replace the verb+ing with "it" or a noun. If the sentence is still correct, TO is a preposition and you need a gerund. "I look forward to it" = correct = TO is a preposition = "look forward to DOING" (gerund). "I expect it" = correct = but "I expect TO DO" (infinitive, not gerund), because EXPECT does not take the preposition TO.
PREPOSITION TO TEST: if you can substitute [verb + TO + X] with [verb + TO + noun] and it makes sense, then TO is a PREPOSITION and X needs to be a GERUND. "I look forward to the meeting" = correct = "I look forward to MEETING them" (gerund). "I expect the results" = correct = "I expect TO RECEIVE the results" (infinitive, not gerund). MOST COMMON TO-PREPOSITION LIST: look forward to, be committed to, object to, be used to, get used to, be opposed to, contribute to, resort to, be dedicated to = all + gerund. PRACTICAL TIP: in formal professional emails, never write "I look forward to hear" — it is one of the errors that stands out most to native readers.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy