Have you ever received a job offer, started a new project, or prepared to work with a new client? You may want to express your excitement in a polite and professional way. One of the most common expressions for this situation is “looking forward to working with you.”
This phrase shows that you feel positive about a future professional relationship. People use it in business emails, job acceptance messages, client communications, team introductions, and workplace conversations.
However, there is one important grammar rule to remember. You should say “looking forward to working with you,” not “looking forward to work with you.” The reason is that the word to functions as a preposition in this expression, so it is followed by a noun or a verb ending in -ing.
In this guide, you will learn the meaning of the phrase, its correct sentence structure, common mistakes, professional alternatives, and practical examples. You will also discover how to use it naturally in emails, conversations, and other professional situations.
What Does “Looking Forward to Working With You” Mean?
“Looking forward to working with you” means feeling happy, excited, or positive about the opportunity to work with someone in the future.
It communicates enthusiasm, respect, and a willingness to build a good working relationship.
For example:
“Thank you for offering me the position. I’m looking forward to working with you.”
This sentence tells the employer that you appreciate the opportunity and feel positive about joining the team.
The expression is common in professional English, but you can also use it in less formal situations when you are about to collaborate with someone.
Simple Meaning
In everyday English, the phrase means:
- I am excited to work with you.
- I am happy that we will work together.
- I look forward to our future collaboration.
- I am pleased about the opportunity to work with you.
All these expressions communicate a similar message, although some sound more formal than others.
Why Is This Phrase So Popular?
The expression is popular because it sounds polite, professional, and friendly without being overly emotional.
People commonly use it when:
- Accepting a new job offer.
- Welcoming a new colleague.
- Starting a business partnership.
- Communicating with a new client.
- Beginning a freelance project.
- Joining a team or organization.
- Responding to a professional introduction.
It helps create a positive first impression and shows that you value the upcoming relationship.
Is “Looking Forward to Working With You” Grammatically Correct?
Yes, “looking forward to working with you” is grammatically correct and widely used in professional communication.
The complete expression is “I am looking forward to working with you.”
In this sentence, I am looking forward to expresses a positive feeling about something expected to happen. The word working describes the activity you anticipate.
Consider these examples:
- I am looking forward to working with you.
- We are looking forward to working with your team.
- She is looking forward to working with her new manager.
- They are looking forward to working with our company.
Each sentence uses the expression correctly.
In emails, you can also use the shorter form without the subject and auxiliary verb:
“Looking forward to working with you!”
This is a common and acceptable closing sentence in professional messages, especially when the context is already clear.
Sentence Structure: How to Use the Phrase Correctly
Understanding the sentence structure makes it easier to use this expression confidently.
1. The Basic Sentence Pattern
The complete sentence follows this pattern:
Subject + be verb + looking forward to + verb-ing + object
For example:
“I am looking forward to working with you.”
Here is how the sentence works:
| Sentence part | Function |
| I | Subject |
| am | Auxiliary verb |
| looking forward to | Expression of anticipation |
| working | Gerund, or -ing form used after a preposition |
| with you | Prepositional phrase identifying the person |
You can change the subject and the verb be to fit the situation.
Examples:
- I am looking forward to working with you.
- He is looking forward to working with you.
- We are looking forward to working with you.
- They are looking forward to working with you.
2. Using the Phrase Without a Subject
In emails and informal professional messages, people often omit the subject and the verb be.
Examples:
- Looking forward to working with you.
- Looking forward to collaborating on this project.
- Looking forward to meeting the team.
These are shortened expressions rather than complete independent sentences. However, they are widely accepted in everyday business communication.
For a formal letter or a complete sentence, use the full version when appropriate.
3. Adding More Information
You can expand the sentence by explaining what you are excited about.
Examples:
- I am looking forward to working with you on this exciting project.
- We are looking forward to working with your team next month.
- I am really looking forward to working with you and learning from your experience.
- Our company is looking forward to working with you on future projects.
Adding specific details makes your message sound more personal and meaningful.
Read More: Any Problem vs Any Problems: Meaning, Grammar Rules, and Examples
Grammar Rules You Should Know
There are several useful rules to remember when using this phrase.
Rule 1: Use a Verb Ending in -ing After “Look Forward To”
This is the most important rule.
Correct:
- I look forward to working with you.
- She looks forward to meeting the team.
- We are looking forward to discussing the proposal.
Incorrect:
- I look forward to work with you.
- She looks forward to meet the team.
- We are looking forward to discuss the proposal.
Why?
In this expression, to is a preposition, not the infinitive marker used in phrases such as to work or to meet. A preposition can be followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund.
Therefore:
- Look forward to working.
- Look forward to meeting.
- Look forward to discussing.
Rule 2: Use the Correct Form of “Be”
When you include the subject, choose am, is, or are according to the subject.
| Subject | Correct form | Example |
| I | am | I am looking forward to working with you. |
| He | is | He is looking forward to working with you. |
| She | is | She is looking forward to working with you. |
| It | is | It is looking forward to receiving your response. |
| You | are | You are looking forward to working with them. |
| We | are | We are looking forward to working with you. |
| They | are | They are looking forward to working with you. |
The expression look forward to can also appear without the continuous form:
“I look forward to working with you.”
Both “I look forward to working with you” and “I am looking forward to working with you” are correct.
Rule 3: Use “Look Forward To” for a Positive Expectation
The phrase normally expresses a positive feeling about a future event.
Examples:
- I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
- We look forward to building a strong partnership.
- I am looking forward to joining your team.
If you want to express concern or uncertainty, another expression may be more appropriate.
Rule 4: Choose a Tone That Fits the Situation
The phrase works in both formal and friendly communication.
Formal:
“I look forward to working with you on this project.”
Friendly:
“I’m really looking forward to working with you!”
Both are correct. The best choice depends on your relationship with the reader.
Rule 5: Capitalize the Phrase Correctly
In the middle of a sentence, use lowercase letters unless a word begins a sentence or forms part of a title.
Correct:
“Thank you for the opportunity. I am looking forward to working with you.”
As an email closing:
“Best regards,
Alex
Looking forward to working with you.”
Capitalization depends on the sentence and formatting, not on the expression itself.
10 Examples of “Looking Forward to Working With You”
Here are ten practical examples you can use in professional and everyday situations.
- Accepting a job offer: Thank you for the offer. I am looking forward to working with you and the rest of the team.
- Starting a new project: I am looking forward to working with you on this exciting project.
- Welcoming a client: We are looking forward to working with you and helping your business grow.
- Joining a company: I am excited to join the company and look forward to working with everyone.
- Beginning a partnership: Our team looks forward to working with you to achieve our shared goals.
- Meeting a new colleague: It was great meeting you today. I am looking forward to working with you.
- Starting freelance work: Thank you for choosing me for this project. I look forward to working with you.
- Joining a remote team: I am looking forward to working with you all, even though we are in different locations.
- Beginning a consulting assignment: I look forward to working with your organization and supporting your upcoming initiatives.
- Responding to a professional introduction: Thank you for the introduction. I am looking forward to working with you.
These examples show how the phrase can fit different professional situations without sounding unnatural.
Common Mistakes and Their Corrections
Even advanced English learners sometimes make mistakes with this expression.
| Incorrect sentence | Correct sentence | Reason |
| I look forward to work with you. | I look forward to working with you. | Use the -ing form after the preposition to. |
| I am looking forward to work with you. | I am looking forward to working with you. | The same preposition rule applies. |
| I looking forward to working with you. | I am looking forward to working with you. | The complete sentence needs the correct form of be. |
| I look forward working with you. | I look forward to working with you. | The preposition to is required. |
| I am looking forward for working with you. | I am looking forward to working with you. | The expression takes to, not for. |
| I look forward to work with your team. | I look forward to working with your team. | Use the gerund form. |
Why Do People Make These Mistakes?
One common reason is confusion between two uses of the word to.
Compare:
- I want to work with you.
- I look forward to working with you.
In the first sentence, to introduces an infinitive. In the second, to is a preposition.
This difference explains why the verb forms are not the same.
Remember this simple rule:
Want to work, but look forward to working.
This pattern also applies to other expressions:
- I am committed to learning.
- She is interested in joining.
- We are accustomed to working together.
- He is dedicated to improving his skills.
Comparison Table: Similar Professional Expressions
Several expressions communicate excitement about future work. However, their tone and use can differ.
| Expression | Meaning | Best situation |
| Looking forward to working with you | Positive anticipation about working together | General professional communication |
| Excited to work with you | Strong enthusiasm | Friendly workplace messages |
| I look forward to collaborating with you | Professional anticipation | Formal emails and partnerships |
| Eager to work with you | Strong interest and enthusiasm | Projects and professional introductions |
| Pleased to be working with you | Satisfaction about the relationship | Formal or established partnerships |
| Looking forward to our collaboration | Positive expectation about joint work | Business proposals and project emails |
| I hope we can work together | Expresses a wish or possibility | Before an agreement is confirmed |
| Happy to be joining the team | Positive feeling about becoming a team member | Job acceptance and introductions |
| I look forward to working together | Mutual or shared collaboration | Team communications |
| I welcome the opportunity to work with you | Polite appreciation of an opportunity | Formal business writing |
Which Expression Should You Choose?
For most professional emails, “I look forward to working with you” is an excellent choice.
Use “I’m excited to work with you” when you want a warmer, more enthusiastic tone.
Choose “I look forward to collaborating with you” when writing a formal business email or discussing a joint project.
The goal is to sound sincere rather than overly formal. A simple sentence is often more effective than a complicated one.
Professional Alternatives to “Looking Forward to Working With You”
If you use the same phrase in every email, your writing may begin to sound repetitive. These alternatives help you communicate the same idea in different ways.
1. I Look Forward to Collaborating With You
This is a professional alternative that emphasizes teamwork.
Example: “Thank you for sharing the project details. I look forward to collaborating with you.”
2. I’m Excited to Work With You
This sounds friendly and enthusiastic.
Example: “I’m excited to work with you and help bring this idea to life.”
3. I Look Forward to Our Partnership
Use this expression when discussing a business relationship.
Example: “We appreciate your trust and look forward to our partnership.”
4. I’m Happy to Be Joining the Team
This is suitable when accepting a job or introducing yourself to colleagues.
Example: “I’m happy to be joining the team and look forward to contributing.”
5. I Look Forward to Working Together
This is a flexible option when referring to a shared goal.
Example: “Thank you for the introduction. I look forward to working together.”
6. I’m Eager to Get Started
This expresses enthusiasm about beginning a task or project.
Example: “The project sounds promising, and I’m eager to get started.”
7. I Welcome the Opportunity to Work With You
This is a more formal way to show appreciation.
Example: “I welcome the opportunity to work with you on this important initiative.”
8. I’m Looking Forward to What We Can Achieve Together
This phrase focuses on future results and teamwork.
Example: “I’m looking forward to what we can achieve together over the coming months.”
These alternatives help you adjust your message to the audience, situation, and level of formality.
Verb Usage: Look, Looking, Worked, and Working
Understanding the related verbs can help you use the phrase correctly.
The main verb is look. In the expression look forward to, it forms part of a phrase that means to anticipate something positively.
| Verb form | Example |
| Base form: look | I look forward to working with you. |
| Third-person singular: looks | She looks forward to working with you. |
| Present participle: looking | I am looking forward to working with you. |
| Past tense: looked | I looked forward to working with the team. |
| Past participle: looked | I have looked forward to this opportunity. |
Notice that the verb after to remains in the -ing form in these examples.
The verb work can also appear in different forms depending on the sentence.
- Work: I want to work with you.
- Works: She works with our team.
- Worked: We worked together last year.
- Working: I look forward to working with you.
Each form serves a different grammatical purpose.
Tenses Connection: Present, Past, and Future
The expression can be used with different tenses, depending on the intended meaning.
Present Simple
Use the present simple to express a general or professional expectation.
Example: “I look forward to working with you.”
This form is especially common in formal business emails.
Present Continuous
Use the present continuous to express a current feeling about a future event.
Example: “I am looking forward to working with you.”
This sounds natural in both professional and friendly communication.
Past Simple
Use the past simple when describing a past expectation.
Example: “Before joining the company, I looked forward to working with the team.”
The sentence describes a feeling that existed in the past.
Present Perfect
Use the present perfect when connecting a past experience or expectation with the present.
Example: “I have always looked forward to working on projects like this.”
Here, have looked connects a continuing or repeated expectation with the present.
Future Forms
You can express future anticipation using future constructions.
Examples:
- I will look forward to hearing from you.
- I will be looking forward to working with your team.
However, the second version may sound unnecessarily wordy in an ordinary email. In most situations, “I look forward to working with you” is simpler and more natural.
The use of had, has vs have, and other tense rules can help you understand how auxiliary verbs work. However, they do not change the key rule: when to is a preposition in look forward to, it is followed by a noun or gerund.
Clauses and Grammar Usage
A clause is a group of words containing a subject and a verb. You can use the expression in simple sentences or combine it with other clauses to create more detailed messages.
1. Independent Clauses
An independent clause expresses a complete thought.
Examples:
- I look forward to working with you.
- We are looking forward to the project.
- She is excited to join the team.
Each sentence communicates a complete idea.
2. Dependent Clauses
A dependent clause adds information but cannot usually stand alone.
Examples:
- Because I am looking forward to working with you, I wanted to introduce myself.
- Although we have not met yet, I am looking forward to working with you.
- When the project begins, I look forward to working with your team.
These sentences use conjunctions to connect ideas naturally.
3. Relative Clauses
A relative clause gives more information about a person, group, or thing.
Examples:
- The colleague who will be working with us is joining next week.
- The client whom we are looking forward to meeting has confirmed the appointment.
- The team that I am looking forward to joining works remotely.
Relative clauses can make professional emails more descriptive, but keep them simple when possible.
Writing a Professional Email With the Phrase
One of the best ways to learn this expression is to see it in a complete email.
Example: Accepting a Job Offer
Subject: Thank You for the Offer
Dear Ms. Taylor,
Thank you for offering me the position. I appreciate the opportunity to join your company and contribute to the team.
I am looking forward to working with you and my new colleagues. Please let me know if there is anything I should prepare before my first day.
Best regards,
Jordan
Example: Writing to a New Client
Dear Mr. Ahmed,
Thank you for choosing our team for your project. We appreciate your trust and are excited to begin working together.
We look forward to working with you and helping you achieve your goals.
Kind regards,
Sara
Example: Introducing Yourself to Colleagues
Hi everyone,
I’m happy to be joining the team. I look forward to getting to know you all and working together on upcoming projects.
Best,
Alex
These examples show that the expression works best when it fits naturally into the message rather than being added without context.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it correct to say “looking forward to working with you”?
Yes. It is grammatically correct and commonly used in professional emails and conversations. The complete sentence is “I am looking forward to working with you.”
2. Should I say “looking forward to work” or “looking forward to working”?
Use “looking forward to working.” In this expression, to is a preposition, so it takes a noun or an -ing verb form. “Looking forward to work” is incorrect in this context.
3. Is “I look forward to working with you” formal?
Yes. It is polite and suitable for business emails, job acceptance messages, client communication, and professional introductions. It is also natural in many everyday workplace situations.
4. What is another way to say “looking forward to working with you”?
You can say “I’m excited to work with you,” “I look forward to collaborating with you,” or “I’m eager to get started.” Choose the expression that best matches your tone and situation.
5. Can I end an email with “Looking forward to working with you”?
Yes. You can use it as a friendly professional closing, especially when the email already explains the context. For a more formal message, “I look forward to working with you” is also an excellent choice.
Conclusion
“Looking forward to working with you” is a polite and professional expression that communicates enthusiasm about a future working relationship. It is useful in job acceptance emails, business messages, client communication, and team introductions. The most important grammar rule is to use the -ing form after to in this expression. Therefore, “I look forward to working with you” is correct, while “I look forward to work with you” is not. You can also choose alternatives such as “I’m excited to work with you” or “I look forward to collaborating with you” to suit different situations. Keep your message clear, natural, and sincere. With the right wording, you can make a positive first impression and build stronger professional relationships.
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