To be excited about
Example Sentences for the English Phrasal Verb Look Forward To
- I can’t wait until the holidays! There is so much to look forward to.
- I am not looking forward to going back to work on Monday.
- He was really looking forward to watching the game. It was a shame he had to work.
- I look forward to seeing his face when I tell him the news.
- It’s payday later this week. At least we’ve got that to look forward to!
The English phrasal verb, to look forward to, is transitive.
English Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs can be extremely tricky for learners of English. The reason for this is twofold: there are lots of them and their meaning is not always obvious from the words that make them up. To make things even more difficult, phrasal verbs can have multiple meanings, adding to the headache for learners.
A phrasal verb is made up of a main verb with an attached preposition or adverb. An example of a phrasal verb is run into. Where run is the main verb and into is the preposition. Phrasal verbs can be separated into two groups, intransitive and transitive verbs. Intransitive phrasal verbs do not have a direct object: go out, for example, "I want to go out tonight". Transitive phrasal verbs have a direct object and they can be split up into two further categories: separable and inseparable. With separable transitive phrasal verbs, the verb and the preposition can be split up. For example, both “turn off the radio” and “turn the radio off” are both correct. Inseparable phrasal verbs cannot be split up. For example, “I’ll look after you” is correct, but “I’ll look you after” is not.
Using Storyboard That you can prepare a visual dictionary of phrasal verbs quickly and easily. Even better than that, have your students create their own phrasal verb visual definitions.
How Tos about English Phrasal Verb: To Look Forward To
Introduce the phrase 'look forward to' with real-life examples.
Show students how the phrase 'look forward to' is used in everyday sentences, such as 'I look forward to the weekend' or 'We look forward to your visit.' This helps students connect the expression to situations they know.
Create a class activity using 'look forward to' in context.
Ask students to share something they look forward to each week. Write their responses on the board and discuss why they're excited about those things. This encourages participation and reinforces correct usage.
Guide students to write their own sentences with 'look forward to.'
Have students write 2–3 sentences about events or activities they look forward to. Provide feedback and highlight correct grammar and context.
Facilitate a partner interview activity to practice the phrase.
Pair students and let them interview each other using questions like 'What do you look forward to after school?' Then, have each student share their partner's answer with the class to practice speaking and listening skills.
Assess understanding with a quick exit ticket exercise.
Before class ends, ask each student to write one thing they look forward to and hand it in. This gives you a fast way to check comprehension and plan follow-up activities if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions about English Phrasal Verb: To Look Forward To
What does 'look forward to' mean?
'Look forward to' is a phrase that means to be excited or eager about something that will happen in the future.
How do you use 'look forward to' in a sentence?
You can use 'look forward to' before a noun or a verb ending in -ing. For example: I look forward to summer vacation or She looks forward to meeting her new classmates.
Is 'look forward to' a phrasal verb?
Yes, 'look forward to' is a phrasal verb made up of the verb 'look' and the prepositions 'forward' and 'to'.
What is the difference between 'look forward to' and 'wait for'?
'Look forward to' shows excitement or positive expectation, while 'wait for' simply means to stay in a place until something happens, without showing emotion.
Why is 'look forward to' important in English communication?
'Look forward to' is important because it helps express excitement, politeness, and positive feelings about future events in both spoken and written English.
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