Is It Correct to Say “Looking Forward to Working With You?” 

In business communication, the phrase “Looking forward to working with you” has become a favorite of mine after years of writing emails and letters. It carries a friendly, respectful, and professional tone that instantly builds connections and shows optimism. Whether I’m sending proposals or introductions, its simplicity and effectiveness always stand out. The phrase is grammatically correct, sounds genuine, and fits in both formal and semi-formal settings. When you want to close a message professionally, it’s a safe bet that leaves a warm, trustworthy impression and expresses mutual respect.

Over time, I’ve explored polished alternatives to this line to elevate communication while keeping the same spirit of collaboration and clarity. For instance, when working on projects with a colleague or crafting email templates for a proposal, I make sure each variation reflects confidence, professional flair, and the right emotional balance—not cold or mechanical, but inviting and real. As someone who enjoys mastering language variations, I see this article as a chance to help others express intent naturally and meaningfully in every interaction.

The Grammar Behind “Looking Forward to Working With You”

Let’s start with the basics. The phrase “Looking forward to working with you” is grammatically correct, but only when structured properly.

At its core, this phrase combines:

• “Looking forward to” → a phrasal verb that expresses anticipation or excitement.
• “Working” → a gerund (a verb ending in -ing used as a noun).
• “With you” → a prepositional phrase showing who you’ll work with.

Here’s how it looks grammatically:

Subject + am/is/are + looking forward to + gerund/noun

So the full sentence should be:

“I am looking forward to working with you.”

That’s the complete and grammatically correct version.

The phrase “Looking forward to work with you” is wrong because the word to here is a preposition, not part of an infinitive. Prepositions must be followed by a gerund (a word ending in -ing).

Examples:

Correct Usage	Incorrect Usage
I’m looking forward to meeting you.	I’m looking forward to meet you.
We’re looking forward to collaborating soon.	We’re looking forward to collaborate soon.

Is “Looking Forward to Working With You” Grammatically Correct?

Yes, absolutely — but context matters.

Technically, the most grammatically complete form is “I’m looking forward to working with you.”
However, in email or chat communication, people often shorten it to “Looking forward to working with you.”

This shortened version is still acceptable, especially in professional correspondence, because the subject I’m is implied.

Think of it like how people say:

“Hope you’re doing well”
instead of
“I hope you’re doing well.”

Both are correct in modern communication; the shorter one just sounds friendlier and more conversational.

When to include “I’m”:

• When writing formally (business letters, proposals, or corporate documents).
• When you’re communicating with someone for the first time.

When to drop “I’m”:

• In friendly or ongoing email exchanges.
• When the message tone is already established as professional and polite.

Understanding Context and Appropriateness

Not every situation calls for this phrase. While “Looking forward to working with you” sounds friendly, it can come across as premature or even awkward if used at the wrong time.

Here’s what you should consider:

When it’s appropriate:

• After being hired for a new position.
• When responding to a new client or partner.
• At the end of a meeting or collaborative email thread.
• When beginning a new project or joint venture.

When it’s not appropriate:

• Before any collaboration has been confirmed.
• In formal proposals where the partnership isn’t official yet.
• When sending cold emails to strangers (it can sound presumptuous).

Table: Appropriate vs. Inappropriate Usage

Situation	Appropriate?	Better Alternative
After an interview	✅	“I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute.”
In a job application cover letter	✅	“I look forward to the possibility of joining your team.”
Cold email to a company you haven’t engaged with	🚫	“I hope we can collaborate in the future.”
Internal team email post-meeting	✅	“Looking forward to discussing the next steps.”

Tip: Always match your tone to the stage of the relationship. Using it too soon can feel forced — like you’re assuming the job or deal before it’s real.

The Tone and Impression It Creates

Tone matters as much as grammar.

The phrase “Looking forward to working with you” projects positivity, readiness, and professionalism. It signals enthusiasm without being overbearing. In business communication, it helps create a polite and engaging closure.

Here’s how different forms of the phrase affect tone:

Variation	Tone	Impression
“I’m looking forward to working with you.”	Neutral/Professional	Warm and confident
“Looking forward to working with you.”	Friendly/Conversational	Approachable and polite
“Can’t wait to work with you!”	Informal/Excited	Enthusiastic and personal
“I look forward to our collaboration.”	Formal/Corporate	Polished and business-like

Pro tip: If you’re writing to someone senior or unfamiliar, start formal and adjust tone later as rapport builds.

The Formality Scale – Where It Fits

So where does this phrase land on the formality spectrum?

It’s semi-formal, meaning it works across most professional situations — from email follow-ups to cross-department collaboration messages.

Comparison Table:

Phrase	Formality	Typical Use
“I look forward to working with you.”	Formal	Job offers, partnership proposals
“Looking forward to working with you.”	Semi-formal	Routine business emails
“Excited to work together!”	Informal	Friendly internal communication
“Eager to begin our collaboration.”	Very Formal	Business reports, formal letters

In short:

• Use formal tone when writing to new or higher-level contacts.
• Use semi-formal tone in most professional interactions.
• Use informal tone only with colleagues you already know well.

How to Use It Naturally in Emails and Messages

Let’s make this practical. Where do you actually place it, and how do you make it sound natural?

Position in a Message

It usually works best at the end, right before your sign-off.

Example Email:

Hi James,

Thank you for sharing the project details. Everything looks good from my end.

Looking forward to working with you on this initiative!

Best,
Sarah

Here’s a breakdown of real-world examples based on different email purposes:

Email Type	Recommended Closing	Example
Job interview follow-up	“I look forward to working with you.”	“Thank you for the opportunity to interview. I look forward to working with you.”
Client onboarding	“Looking forward to a successful partnership.”	“We’re thrilled to begin our collaboration. Looking forward to a successful partnership.”
Internal teamwork	“Excited to get started.”	“Great meeting today! Excited to get started.”
Vendor communication	“Looking forward to working with your team.”	“Your proposal looks strong. Looking forward to working with your team.”

Tip: Always connect the phrase to what you discussed. That makes it sound authentic rather than mechanical.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even though the phrase seems simple, people make subtle but noticeable errors.

Here are the most frequent ones — and how to fix them.

1. Writing “Looking forward to work with you.”

As mentioned earlier, to is a preposition here, so it must be followed by a gerund.
Correct: “Looking forward to working with you.”
Wrong: “Looking forward to work with you.”

2. Overusing the phrase

If every email ends with “Looking forward to working with you,” it can lose impact. Try to mix things up with alternatives like:

• “Excited to collaborate on this project.”
• “Thanks again for your time — talk soon!”

3. Using it before confirmation

Don’t use it when collaboration hasn’t been established yet. It can sound presumptuous, especially in proposals.

4. Sounding robotic

Avoid repeating it word-for-word in every interaction. Add a small detail or context to personalize it:

“Looking forward to working with you on the next phase.”
“Looking forward to working with you again soon.”

Also Read This: Bespeckled or Bespectacled – Which One Is Actually Correct?

Polite and Professional Alternatives

Sometimes, variety makes your message stand out. Depending on tone and formality, you can choose a phrase that feels fresh while keeping professionalism intact.

Formal Alternatives

• “I look forward to collaborating with you.”
• “I’m eager to begin our partnership.”
• “I anticipate working closely with your team.”

Neutral Alternatives

• “I’m excited to work together.”
• “I look forward to connecting further.”
• “It’ll be great to team up on this.”

Friendly Alternatives

• “Can’t wait to work together!”
• “Excited to start this journey with you.”
• “Let’s make this project a success!”

Example Rewrites:

Situation	Original	Polished Alternative
Too stiff	“I look forward to working with you in due course.”	“I’m excited to start working with you soon.”
Too generic	“Looking forward to working with you.”	“Looking forward to collaborating on the new campaign.”
Too casual	“Can’t wait to work with ya!”	“I’m really looking forward to collaborating with you.”

Psychological and Professional Impact

This simple phrase does more than close an email. It builds trust, warmth, and cooperation — especially in digital communication where tone can easily be misinterpreted.

According to workplace communication studies published in, positive language such as “looking forward” can:

• Increase recipient response rates by up to 20%
• Improve perception of friendliness and professionalism
• Strengthen collaborative relationships in team environments

Why it works:

• It expresses optimism and cooperation.
• It creates anticipation and shared purpose.
• It leaves a positive emotional aftertaste, encouraging reciprocity.

Example from real business context:

A marketing firm replaced “Best regards” with “Looking forward to working with you” in client onboarding emails.
Within a month, they noticed clients replied faster and opened follow-up emails more consistently.

Crafting the Perfect Sign-Off

Your sign-off shapes the reader’s final impression. Combine warmth with professionalism, and always match the tone to your message.

Tips for crafting a great closing:

• Keep it short and sincere.
• Avoid overused or stiff phrases like “Yours faithfully.”
• End on a forward-looking, friendly note.

Examples of well-balanced closings:

• “Thanks again for your time — looking forward to working with you.”
• “Appreciate your guidance. Excited to collaborate soon.”
• “Grateful for the opportunity — looking forward to working together.”

Sign-Off Table:

Tone	Closing Example	Suitable For
Formal	“I look forward to working with you.”	New partnerships, job offers
Friendly	“Looking forward to collaborating soon!”	Internal teams, known clients
Enthusiastic	“Can’t wait to work together!”	Creative or startup environments
Appreciative	“Thanks again — excited to start!”	After meetings or feedback sessions

Conclusion

In the end, the phrase “Looking forward to working with you” remains one of the most reliable lines in business communication. It blends professional warmth with clarity and shows genuine optimism for future collaboration. Whether you’re writing emails, letters, or proposals, this expression helps you close a message professionally while maintaining mutual respect and confidence. Its simplicity and effectiveness make it a timeless choice that never feels cold or mechanical. And as you continue mastering communication variations, remember that how you express your intent can define the strength of your connections.

FAQs

1. Is it grammatically correct to say “Looking forward to working with you”?

Yes, it’s grammatically correct and widely accepted in both formal and semi-formal situations.

2. Can I use “Looking forward to work with you” instead?

No, that’s incorrect. The correct form is “Looking forward to working with you,” because the -ing form (“working”) follows “to” in this context.

3. When should I use this phrase?

Use it at the end of emails, letters, or proposals when you want to express optimism, collaboration, and professional flair.

4. Are there alternatives to this phrase?

Yes! You can try polished alternatives like “Excited to collaborate soon” or “Eager to begin our partnership.” These still sound friendly, trustworthy, and respectful.

5. How do I make my closing sound more genuine?

Match your tone to the situation, keep your message simple, and ensure it reflects confidence, clarity, and warmth.