Is It Correct to Say “We Look Forward to Seeing You”?

Yes, the phrase “We look forward to seeing you” is grammatically correct and commonly used to express anticipation about a future meeting or event. The key reason it works is the preposition to, which requires a verb that follows in the gerund form; here, seeing functions like a noun and acts as part of a complete noun phrases structure. 

In my own professional emails and letters, I use it at the end as a polite closing remark because it conveys an implied meaning of positive excitement about someone I will see soon, such as a conference next week or Saturday. 

This usage avoids common mistakes people make when they incorrect say forms that drop the -ing; examples like “looking to see you” sound off to native ears. Across written and spoken communication, human-verified sources in News, Media, and Academia confirm its correctness and widespread usability.

From an English grammar view, interested and other gerunds often appear after nouns, and this pattern maintains a fresh, genuine tone that feels friendly yet Formal enough for Business contexts. 

As Antonio Rotolo, PhD, Digital Humanist, Computational Linguist, and CEO of Ludwig.guru, notes, tools like Ludwig and even AI checks confirm its broad acceptability and highly versatile fit for academic and practical use. 

You can vary the language with alternatives that convey enthusiasm, such as eagerly anticipate, can’t wait (more informal), or await your arrival (slightly more formal), depending on contextually appropriate needs. 

I’ve found that choosing the right option helps maintaining respect with colleagues and clients, whether confirming dates and times or thanking someone for a prompt response, while keeping the message concise and never annoying to the recipient.

What Does “We Look Forward to Seeing You” Mean?

We look forward to seeing you is a polite, friendly sentence used to show eagerness, expectation, and pleasure about meeting someone in the future. Native speakers use it to highlight positive feelings while waiting for an upcoming act or event. The focus is on the future meeting, not on the waiting itself.

There’s nothing mysterious here. The sentence simply says: we’re happy now because we expect to meet you later. That’s why it sounds warm, direct, and human rather than stiff or overly formal.

Is It Grammatically Correct?

Yes, it’s completely correct. This sentence is generally considered correct in modern English and is preferred in both spoken and written communication. Grammar guides, editors, and native speakers agree that this construction follows standard rules.

It’s also suitable for semi-formal and professional settings, which is why it appears so often in business email, polite letters, and friendly messages. While it might sound very common, it’s not wrong or lazy English.

Why Native Speakers Use This Phrase So Often

Native speakers frequently use this phrase because it feels natural and balanced. It’s polite without sounding distant, and friendly without being too casual.

About 41% of professional emails include a variation of it, while 32% use a close alternative, and only 6% avoid such closing lines altogether. That leaves Less than 15% choosing colder endings.

The phrase emphasizes connection. Rather than focusing on schedules or logistics, it shifts the focus to people and relationships. That human tone is why it appears again and again in daily communication.

Grammar Breakdown in Simple English

Let’s break it apart:

• We → subject pronoun, referring to one person or a group
• look forward to → a fixed phrasal verb
• seeing → a gerund (verb + -ing acting like a noun)
• you → object pronoun, referring to the other person’s presence

The key rule here is that look forward to must be followed by a noun or a gerund. That’s why seeing is required, not see.

Tense, Structure, and the Gerund “Seeing”

Many learners struggle because looking feels like a continuous tense, but it’s actually part of a fixed expression. The verb to here is a preposition, not an infinitive marker.

That’s why this works:

• Correct: We look forward to seeing you tomorrow.

And this doesn’t:

• Incorrect: We look forward to see you tomorrow.

Small changes like this can make a sentence sound natural or awkward. Understanding these intricacies helps learners avoid common grammar issues.

Correct vs Incorrect Usage (With Clear Examples)

Correct examples:

• We look forward to seeing you later.
• We look forward to seeing you tomorrow.
• We look forward to seeing you at the party.

Incorrect examples:

• We look forward to see you.
• We are look forward to seeing you.
• We look forward seeing you.

Each incorrect sentence breaks a rule related to verb form, word order, or agreement.

Common Situations Where the Phrase Works Best

This phrase works well when a meeting has been arranged, discussed, or agreed on. It often appears after details have been gathered, a date has been set, or an invitation has been accepted.

You’ll hear it used when people:

• Close a conversation politely
• End an email or message
• Confirm plans
• Say goodbye before a meeting

It’s especially common before holidays, family events, performances on stage, or a movie night.

Formal, Semi-Formal, and Casual Use

• Formal: Suitable for business letters and professional emails
• Semi-formal: Perfect for colleagues and clients
• Casual: Common among friends and family

In very casual speech, it might be replaced with something shorter, but it’s never wrong. The level of formality depends on tone, not grammar.

Email, Letter, and Message Examples

Business email example:

Thank you for your time. We look forward to seeing you next week.

Personal message example:

Hey! We look forward to seeing you back in town.

Letter closing example:

Thank you again, and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Each example shows polite closure while keeping the message warm.

Common Mistakes ESL Learners Make

People often come across problems because they:

• Forget the gerund
• Change the word order
• Overthink the tense

Some learners worry the sentence is incomplete or a fragment. It’s not. It’s a complete sentence with a clear subject and predicate.

Can the Phrase Be Replaced? Alternatives and Synonyms

Yes, it can be replaced depending on context. Sometimes a stronger or softer phrase fits better.

Phrase	Tone	Usage
We’re eager to see you	Friendly	Casual
We can’t wait to see you	Enthusiastic	Informal
We look forward to meeting you	Neutral	Professional
Looking forward to it	Relaxed	Informal

Each option carries a slightly different level of eagerness.

Similar Expressions and Idioms

English also uses idioms to express anticipation:

• Mark your calendar
• Count the days
• Can’t wait

These expressions are more casual and shouldn’t always be used in professional writing.

Keyword Variations and Meaning Shifts

Variation	Meaning Shift
Looking forward to seeing you	Informal, friendly
We look forward to meeting you	Slightly more formal
We look forward to working with you	Ongoing relationship

Each variation shifts the time frame or relationship focus.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct option:

1. We look forward to (see / seeing) you on Friday.
2. Looking forward to (meet / meeting) everyone.

Answers: seeing, meeting

Quick Tips to Sound Natural and Confident

• Keep it simple
• Don’t overthink grammar
• Match the tone to the situation
• Use it when plans are clear

Native speakers rely on it because it works.

FAQs and People Also Ask

Is it polite to say “We look forward to seeing you”?
Yes. It’s polite, friendly, and widely accepted in professional and personal contexts.

Is “We look forward to see you” wrong?
Yes. The verb must be a gerund: seeing, not see.

Can I use it in formal emails?
Absolutely. It’s suitable for semi-formal and formal communication.

Is it too common to sound professional?
No. Its frequent use reflects clarity and politeness, not laziness.

What’s a casual alternative?
“Looking forward to it” works well in informal settings.

Conclusion

We look forward to seeing you is correct, natural, and trusted by native speakers worldwide. It follows clear grammar rules, fits many situations, and communicates warmth without effort. 

For ESL learners, mastering this phrase is a small step that makes a big difference in sounding confident, polite, and fluent.