Mastering ‘Look Forward To’ for IELTS Success: A Comprehensive Guide

1. Definition and Explanation

The phrasal verb “look forward to” is a common expression used to convey anticipation or excitement about a future event or activity. It’s an essential phrase for IELTS candidates to master, as it can be applied in various contexts and demonstrates a higher level of English proficiency.

Meaning:

• To anticipate with pleasure or excitement
• To eagerly await something in the future

Synonyms:

• Anticipate
• Await eagerly
• Be excited about
• Can’t wait for

Definition and explanation of 'look forward to'

2. Usage in Context

“Look forward to” is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal situations. Here are some examples:

1. Formal: “I look forward to meeting you at the conference next week.”
2. Informal: “I’m really looking forward to the party this weekend!”
3. Written: “We look forward to receiving your application.”
4. Spoken: “I can’t wait for the holidays. I’m looking forward to relaxing on the beach.”

3. Grammar Analysis

“Look forward to” has a specific grammatical structure that IELTS candidates should be aware of:

1. It’s always followed by a noun or gerund (verb + -ing form).

   • Correct: “I’m looking forward to the weekend.”
   • Correct: “She’s looking forward to traveling abroad.”
   • Incorrect: “We look forward to go to the cinema.”

2. It’s inseparable, meaning no words can be inserted between “look,” “forward,” and “to.”

3. The tense can change, but “forward to” remains constant:

   • Present: “I look forward to…”
   • Present continuous: “I am looking forward to…”
   • Past: “I looked forward to…”
   • Future: “I will look forward to…”

4. Application in IELTS

Speaking:

Incorporating “look forward to” in your IELTS Speaking responses can enhance your score by demonstrating vocabulary range and grammatical accuracy.

Example question: “What are your plans for the future?”

Sample answer: “In the near future, I’m looking forward to completing my degree. After that, I really look forward to starting my career in marketing. I’m also excited about the prospect of traveling, and I’m particularly looking forward to visiting Japan next year.”

Writing:

In IELTS Writing, “look forward to” can be used effectively in both Task 1 and Task 2 responses:

Task 1 (Formal letter): “I look forward to receiving your prompt response regarding this matter.”

Task 2 (Essay): “Many young professionals look forward to advancing their careers through international work experiences.”

IELTS Speaking and Writing examples using 'look forward to'

5. Related Phrasal Verbs

1. Look up to (phrasal verb) /lʊk ʌp tuː/
   Meaning: To admire or respect someone
   Example: “Many young athletes look up to Olympic champions as role models.”

2. Look into (phrasal verb) /lʊk ˈɪntuː/
   Meaning: To investigate or examine something
   Example: “The committee is looking into ways to improve public transportation.”

3. Look after (phrasal verb) /lʊk ˈæftər/
   Meaning: To take care of someone or something
   Example: “She looks after her elderly parents every weekend.”

4. Look for (phrasal verb) /lʊk fɔːr/
   Meaning: To search for something
   Example: “I’m looking for my keys. Have you seen them?”

5. Look back on (phrasal verb) /lʊk bæk ɒn/
   Meaning: To think about a past event or period
   Example: “When I’m older, I’ll look back on my college years with fondness.”

For more information on these related phrasal verbs, you can check out our detailed guides on look up to, look up, and look for.

6. Practice Exercises

Fill in the blanks:

1. I ___ seeing you at the reunion next month.
2. They are ___ their vacation in Bali.
3. Do you ___ starting your new job?
4. We ___ hearing from you soon.
5. She ___ the weekend after a long week at work.
6. The students are ___ their graduation ceremony.
7. I ___ your feedback on my proposal.
8. He ___ retirement after 40 years of service.
9. We ___ collaborating with your team on this project.
10. They ___ the results of their hard work.

Sentence transformation:

1. Original: I’m excited about the concert next week.
   Rewrite: I __

2. Original: She can’t wait for her birthday party.
   Rewrite: She ____

3. Original: We’re eagerly anticipating the release of the new movie.
   Rewrite: We _____

4. Original: They’re excited about moving to their new house.
   Rewrite: They ___

5. Original: I’m really keen on starting my new course.
   Rewrite: I __

6. Original: The team is enthusiastic about the upcoming match.
   Rewrite: The team ____

7. Original: We’re eagerly awaiting your arrival.
   Rewrite: We _____

8. Original: She’s thrilled about her promotion.
   Rewrite: She ____

9. Original: I’m excited to learn the results of the experiment.
   Rewrite: I __

10. Original: They can’t wait to explore the new city.
    Rewrite: They ___

Answers and Explanations:

Fill in the blanks:

1. look forward to
2. looking forward to
3. look forward to
4. look forward to
5. looks forward to
6. looking forward to
7. look forward to
8. looks forward to
9. look forward to
10. look forward to

Sentence transformation:

1. I look forward to the concert next week.
2. She is looking forward to her birthday party.
3. We are looking forward to the release of the new movie.
4. They are looking forward to moving to their new house.
5. I am looking forward to starting my new course.
6. The team is looking forward to the upcoming match.
7. We look forward to your arrival.
8. She is looking forward to her promotion.
9. I look forward to learning the results of the experiment.
10. They are looking forward to exploring the new city.

Explanation: In each case, “look forward to” is used to express anticipation or excitement about a future event. Remember to use the gerund (-ing form) after “to” when it’s followed by a verb.

7. Memory Tips

1. Visualization: Imagine yourself looking ahead towards something exciting in the future. This mental image can help reinforce the meaning of “look forward to.”

2. Mnemonic device: Create a memorable phrase like “Looking Forward To Fun Times” to help remember the structure and meaning.

3. Personal connection: Think of something you’re genuinely excited about in the future and practice using “look forward to” in that context.

4. Practice with daily activities: Make it a habit to use “look forward to” when discussing your plans for the day or week.

5. Association with calendar events: Connect the phrase with upcoming events on your calendar to reinforce its usage in real-life contexts.

8. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Incorrect preposition:
   Incorrect: “I’m looking forward for the weekend.”
   Correct: “I’m looking forward to the weekend.”

2. Using infinitive instead of gerund:
   Incorrect: “We look forward to meet you.”
   Correct: “We look forward to meeting you.”

3. Separating the phrasal verb:
   Incorrect: “I look forward very much to seeing you.”
   Correct: “I very much look forward to seeing you.”

4. Omitting “to”:
   Incorrect: “I’m looking forward your reply.”
   Correct: “I’m looking forward to your reply.”

5. Using it with present simple for immediate future:
   Less natural: “I look forward to see you tonight.”
   More natural: “I’m looking forward to seeing you tonight.”

To avoid these mistakes, practice using the correct form regularly and be mindful of the grammatical structure when using “look forward to” in your IELTS responses.

9. Conclusion

Mastering the phrasal verb “look forward to” is crucial for IELTS success. It not only demonstrates a higher level of English proficiency but also allows you to express anticipation and excitement effectively in both speaking and writing tasks. Remember to use it in various contexts, pay attention to its grammatical structure, and practice regularly to incorporate it naturally in your language use.

By following the tips and exercises provided in this guide, you’ll be well-prepared to use “look forward to” confidently in your IELTS exam and in real-life situations. Keep practicing and exploring other phrasal verbs to further enhance your English skills. For more insights on using phrasal verbs effectively in IELTS, you might find our article on describing a book that had a big impact on your outlook on life helpful.

Good luck with your IELTS preparation, and remember, the key to success is consistent practice and a positive attitude. Look forward to achieving your desired score!