When writing emails or messages, many people wonder if the phrase “Looking forward to talking to you” is actually correct. The good news is that this expression is widely accepted in proper grammar and commonly used in both professional communication and casual conversation. It’s a polite and friendly way to show anticipation, enthusiasm, and readiness for a future discussion.
In business emails, job interviews, meetings, or networking messages, people often close their message with phrases like “looking forward to talking to you”, “looking forward to speaking with you”, or “I look forward to our conversation.” These expressions signal positive expectation and help maintain a professional tone. However, some writers question whether the phrase is grammatically complete because it begins with a present participle phrase instead of a full sentence.
From a grammar perspective, the phrase works as an elliptical sentence, meaning certain words (such as “I am”) are implied rather than written. For example, the complete form would be “I am looking forward to talking to you.” Despite the shortened structure, it remains acceptable in modern English usage, especially in email etiquette and business correspondence.
Understanding how and when to use this phrase can improve your writing clarity, email professionalism, and overall communication skills. In this guide, we’ll explore the grammar rules, correct usage, alternatives, and common mistakes related to “looking forward to talking to you.”
Is “Looking Forward to Talking to You” Proper Grammar?
The short answer is yes.
The phrase “looking forward to talking to you” is grammatically correct in English. It follows a standard grammatical pattern used in both spoken and written communication.
The structure looks like this:
| Component | Function |
| Looking forward | Verb phrase expressing anticipation |
| To | Preposition |
| Talking | Gerund (-ing verb acting as noun) |
| To you | Prepositional phrase indicating listener |
Because “to” acts as a preposition, the verb that follows must appear in gerund form (-ing).
That rule explains why the phrase works perfectly.
Correct examples include:
- Looking forward to talking to you
- Looking forward to meeting you
- Looking forward to hearing from you
- Looking forward to working together
Each example follows the same grammatical structure.
Incorrect alternatives appear when writers treat “to” as an infinitive marker instead of a preposition.
| Phrase | Correct? | Explanation |
| Looking forward to talking to you | ✔ Correct | Gerund follows preposition |
| Looking forward to talk to you | ✘ Incorrect | Infinitive used after preposition |
| Looking forward for talking | ✘ Incorrect | Wrong preposition |
Many grammar mistakes occur because writers assume “to” always introduces an infinitive verb.
However, English uses two different types of “to.”
Understanding that difference solves the confusion instantly.
Understanding the Grammar Rule Behind “Looking Forward To”
The phrase “look forward to” behaves like a phrasal verb followed by a preposition. This matters because prepositions require objects, and verbs used as objects must appear as gerunds.
Think of the phrase as a complete grammatical unit.
Look forward + to + noun/gerund
Examples:
- I look forward to your reply
- I look forward to meeting you
- I look forward to learning more
Notice something interesting. The words after “to” behave like nouns.
A gerund allows a verb to act as a noun. That’s why “talking,” “meeting,” and “working” appear instead of “talk,” “meet,” or “work.”
Simple Grammar Diagram
Looking forward → to → talking → to you
Verb phrase Preposition Gerund
Once the structure becomes clear, the phrase stops feeling mysterious.
It simply follows a common English grammar rule.
Why “Talking” Is Correct Instead of “Talk”
English grammar allows verbs to appear in several forms. The most relevant ones here are infinitives and gerunds.
Infinitives
Infinitives use the form:
to + verb
Examples:
- to talk
- to run
- to speak
Infinitives appear after verbs such as:
- want
- plan
- hope
Example:
I want to talk with you.
Gerunds
Gerunds use the -ing form of verbs.
Examples:
- talking
- running
- speaking
Gerunds behave like nouns.
Example:
Talking helps solve problems.
Because prepositions require objects, gerunds appear after them.
Common examples include:
- interested in learning
- good at writing
- excited about meeting
The phrase “looking forward to talking to you” follows exactly the same pattern.
Why the Subject Is Often Omitted in Emails
Another common question arises when people see this phrase used alone.
Example:
Looking forward to talking to you tomorrow.
Some writers worry this sentence feels incomplete.
Technically, the full grammatical sentence looks like this:
I am looking forward to talking to you tomorrow.
However, modern communication often uses ellipsis, which means omitting words that readers can easily understand.
Email writing favors brevity. Removing the subject keeps the message concise without changing the meaning.
Full Version
I am looking forward to talking to you.
Email Version
Looking forward to talking to you.
Both are grammatically acceptable in context.
Professional email etiquette widely accepts this style.
For example, major companies including Google, Microsoft, and LinkedIn use similar sentence structures in automated messages and corporate correspondence.
Breaking Down the Phrase “Looking Forward to Talking to You”
Let’s analyze each part of the phrase carefully.
| Word | Role | Explanation |
| Looking | Present participle | Part of verb phrase |
| Forward | Adverb | Indicates anticipation |
| To | Preposition | Introduces object |
| Talking | Gerund | Verb functioning as noun |
| To you | Prepositional phrase | Identifies listener |
The phrase essentially means:
I anticipate our conversation.
English favors this expression because it sounds friendly, polite, and professional.
In business communication, tone matters just as much as grammar.
Ending an email with “looking forward to talking to you” signals enthusiasm and respect.
Talking To You vs Talking With You
English allows two similar expressions:
- Talking to you
- Talking with you
Both are grammatically correct, though subtle differences exist.
Talking To
This version appears slightly more common in professional emails.
It often suggests direct communication.
Example:
I’m looking forward to talking to you about the proposal.
Talking With
This version emphasizes collaboration.
Example:
I’m looking forward to talking with you about potential solutions.
Comparison Table
| Phrase | Tone | Typical Context |
| Talking to you | Direct conversation | Emails, meetings |
| Talking with you | Collaborative discussion | Brainstorming, partnerships |
In practice, the difference rarely causes confusion.
Both phrases sound natural.
When to Use “Looking Forward to Talking to You” in Professional Communication
This phrase appears frequently in business writing because it communicates politeness and anticipation without sounding overly formal.
Common situations include:
Job Interviews
Applicants often use the phrase after scheduling an interview.
Example:
Thank you for arranging the meeting. I’m looking forward to talking to you on Thursday.
Client Meetings
Consultants and service providers frequently use it.
Example:
I’ve reviewed the project outline. Looking forward to talking to you and your team.
Networking Emails
Professionals connecting through LinkedIn often close messages this way.
Example:
It was great connecting here. Looking forward to talking to you soon.
Sales Conversations
Sales representatives commonly use the phrase when confirming calls.
Example:
The demo is scheduled for Monday at 10 AM. Looking forward to talking to you then.
The phrase works well because it balances professionalism and friendliness.
When the Phrase May Sound Too Casual
While the phrase works well in most emails, certain contexts require more formal language.
These include:
- legal communication
- academic correspondence
- government letters
- formal proposals
In these cases, slightly more formal alternatives may work better.
Examples:
- I look forward to speaking with you
- I anticipate our discussion
- I look forward to our conversation
These variations retain the same meaning while sounding more formal.
Common Grammar Mistakes With “Looking Forward to Talking to You”
Many writers accidentally break the grammar rule.
The most common errors appear below.
Incorrect Phrase Examples
| Incorrect Sentence | Problem |
| Looking forward to talk to you | Wrong verb form |
| Looking forward for talking to you | Incorrect preposition |
| Looking forward to speak with you | Infinitive used incorrectly |
Quick Grammar Rule
A helpful rule can prevent mistakes.
If “to” is a preposition, the next verb must end in -ing.
Examples:
- look forward to meeting
- committed to improving
- interested in learning
Once the rule becomes familiar, spotting mistakes becomes easy.
Professional Alternatives to “Looking Forward to Talking to You”
Repeating the same phrase in every email can feel repetitive.
Writers often rotate similar expressions to maintain variety.
Professional Alternatives
- I look forward to speaking with you
- I look forward to our discussion
- I look forward to learning more
- I look forward to our meeting
Slightly Casual Alternatives
- Talk soon
- Excited to connect
- Looking forward to our chat
More Formal Options
- I anticipate our conversation
- I welcome the opportunity to discuss this further
- I look forward to continuing our discussion
Each alternative maintains the same polite tone.
Real Business Email Examples
Seeing the phrase used in real communication helps clarify its role.
Example – Job Interview
Subject: Interview Confirmation
Thank you for confirming the schedule.
I’m looking forward to talking to you tomorrow.
Example – Client Meeting
Subject: Meeting Agenda
The proposed agenda looks great.
Looking forward to talking to you and your team next week.
Example – Networking Message
Subject: Nice Connecting
It was great connecting on LinkedIn.
Looking forward to talking to you soon.
These examples show why the phrase remains popular. It sounds professional yet friendly.
Quick Grammar Cheat Sheet
Use this table as a quick reference.
| Grammar Rule | Example |
| “Look forward to” requires gerund | Looking forward to meeting |
| Prepositions require -ing verbs | Interested in learning |
| Email writing allows omitted subjects | Looking forward to hearing from you |
This simple structure appears throughout English communication.
Case Study: Why This Phrase Became Popular in Email Writing
Modern email etiquette evolved alongside the internet.
Studies from the Radicati Email Statistics Report show professionals send over 347 billion emails daily worldwide.
With so much communication happening through email, writers prefer phrases that are:
- short
- polite
- universally understood
“Looking forward to talking to you” meets all three criteria.
It conveys anticipation while maintaining professionalism.
Large corporations frequently use similar wording in automated communication.
For example, scheduling tools like Calendly often include messages such as:
I look forward to our meeting.
You can explore how scheduling confirmations use similar language here:
The phrase’s popularity stems from clarity and efficiency.
Expert Perspective on the Phrase
Many linguists emphasize that grammar evolves through usage.
As linguist David Crystal, author of The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language, explains:
Language changes because people use it differently over time.
The phrase “looking forward to talking to you” reflects this evolution.
What began as a formal structure gradually became a standard email closing.
Today it appears in:
- business emails
- job applications
- networking messages
- scheduling confirmations
Its widespread usage reinforces its grammatical legitimacy.
Conclusion
In everyday English communication, the phrase “looking forward to talking to you” is both natural and widely accepted. It is commonly used in email communication, business correspondence, and professional messages to express anticipation and a positive attitude toward an upcoming conversation. Even though the phrase may appear incomplete at first glance, it is considered correct because it functions as an elliptical sentence, where the subject and auxiliary verb (such as “I am”) are implied.
Many professionals use this expression to create a polite closing line that feels warm, respectful, and friendly. In fact, phrases like “I look forward to speaking with you”, “looking forward to our conversation”, and “excited to speak with you soon” are all variations that serve the same purpose in professional writing and business emails.
However, the key to using this phrase effectively is understanding the context of communication. In more formal situations, writing the complete sentence “I look forward to talking to you” may sound slightly more polished. Meanwhile, the shorter version “looking forward to talking to you” works perfectly well in modern email etiquette and casual professional exchanges.
FAQs
1. Is “Looking forward to talking to you” grammatically correct?
Yes, “looking forward to talking to you” is grammatically acceptable in modern English usage. Although it appears incomplete, it works as an elliptical sentence, where the implied full version is “I am looking forward to talking to you.”
2. Should I say “talking to you” or “talking with you”?
Both “talking to you” and “talking with you” are grammatically correct. However, “talking with you” sometimes sounds slightly more collaborative, while “talking to you” is more commonly used in business communication and email closings.
3. Is it professional to use this phrase in emails?
Yes. The phrase “looking forward to talking to you” is widely used in professional emails, job interview follow-ups, meeting confirmations, and networking messages. It helps maintain a friendly yet professional tone.
4. What are some alternatives to “Looking forward to talking to you”?
Here are a few common alternatives used in professional writing:
- I look forward to speaking with you
- Looking forward to our conversation
- Excited to connect with you
- I look forward to discussing this further
- Speak with you soon
These alternatives can help vary your email language while keeping the professional tone intact.
5. Is it better to write the full sentence?
In highly formal writing or official documents, using the full sentence “I look forward to talking to you” may sound more polished. However, the shorter version “looking forward to talking to you” is perfectly acceptable in modern email etiquette and professional communication.
Emily Collins is a passionate linguist and grammar educator who helps readers understand English with ease and confidence. At Grammar Schooling, she transforms complex language rules into simple, engaging lessons that anyone can master. Her goal is to make learning English enjoyable, practical, and inspiring for learners around the world.