In our day-to-day conversation, formal or informal, the most often used sentences I look forward to meeting you or I’m looking forward to meeting you are the two best ways to talk about the action in anticipation. But there is always confusion regarding the correct grammatical usage of both sentences. Let us know more detail about ‘I Look or I am Looking Forward To Meeting You’.
I Look Forward To Meeting You Or I’m Looking Forward To Meeting You: Which Is correct?
By the end of this article, it would be easier to comprehend their correct usage and different scenarios.
What it means: I Look Forward To Meeting You Or I’m Looking Forward To Meeting You
Let us understand the meaning of these sentences.
I Look forward to meeting you-
It is used to talk about an action in the future. The word look as a verb exactly means to gaze at someone/something. For example,
- She gave me a frowned1`
- look when I made her new dress dirty.
- The mother looked at her child with immense love in her eyes.
But in the sentence “I look forward to meeting you”, look forward means to plan or show one’s willingness for something. To plan to meet someone in the future or show a willingness to meet either at a particular time/place/ or as soon as possible “I look forward to meeting you” is used
- A formal way of communication
- It is appropriate to use this in verbal communication but best suited for written communications.
- It is simple to present tense. It means that the action is constant and will be taking place regularly.
Here’s the scenario to make this a bit clear
Dear Sia,
I hope you are doing well and excited about your new job role.
I am pleased to inform you that you have been selected as the Associate Content Manager.
You are required to report to the office on 1st January 2022 at 10:00 am. I look forward to meeting you.
Thanks and regards
Dave
Sr. Content Manager
Here in the above scenario,
- ” I look forward to meeting you” states that the Content manager is excited about the new onboard and is willing to meet Sia.
- It states that it would not be only a particular day they will be meeting as this would be a regular when Sia would be working with him.
I’m Looking forward to meeting you-
The sentence” I’m looking forward to meeting you “also talks about the action in anticipation. When someone plans to meet someone shortly, the phrase can be used.
- It can be used in formal communication and informal/professional communication.
- It is present continuous tense, which means the action has started in the present and is continuing. As here “I am looking forward to ” states that one is currently looking forward to meeting someone.
- It shows a willingness to meet someone that will continue to remain constant.
- This phrase can be used in written communications as well as verbal communications.
Informal Usage: I Look Forward To Meeting You Or I’m Looking Forward To Meeting You
Here’s a scene between two friends over a phone call where they are planning to meet at a college reunion.
Jia: Hey Jane! How are you doing?
Jane: Jia! It’s a surprise talking to you. I am doing great.
How about you?
Jia: I’m good. I got your contact from Sheena.
Jane: Oh! that’s great to know!
Jia: Will you be there at the college for reunion day?
Jane: Yes, I will be there.
Jia: It would be great to meet all our old friends after a long time.
Jane: Yeah! But I am looking forward to meeting you soon.
Jia: Yeah! Same here.
Here in the above scenario
- “I am looking forward to meeting you” shows Jane’s willingness to meet Jia.
- It also shows that she agreed to that meeting and is ready for it.
Formal usage: I Look Forward To Meeting You Or I’m Looking Forward To Meeting You
“I am looking forward to meeting you” is used in formal communications.
Let us look at the formal email sent to Advit Smith. , founder of a start-up by an important client, Aaliyah Jones
Mr. Advit Smith.
It gives me immense pleasure that our project idea appealed to me. “I’m looking forward to meeting you “to discuss this further on it.
Thank and Regards
Aaliyah Jones
Here in the above scenario
- “I am looking forward to meeting you” shows Aaliyah’s acceptance of the Project Idea.
- It also shows that she wants to meet Advit to discuss the project without much delay.
The Correct Usage
It is alright to use any one of these phrases. Using these two phrases
“I look forward to meeting you”
“I’m looking forward to meeting you”.
is similar to saying ” I wish to meet you” or ” I would like to see you soon.
I look forward to meeting you”.
” I’m looking forward to meeting you” are the more formal and professional ways of using it. It can be used in informal communications as well.
The context or instances to use them
- I look forward to meeting you is more formal and can be used in a more strict professional setting.
- Here’s an example of when a superior is talking to his subordinate.
Smith: (Team Manager): I look forward to meeting you to discuss some points to be included in your next article.
Ben: Sure! I will be there.
- It Suits well in written communication, text message or email, etc, and even goes well with verbal communication.
- “I’m looking forward to meeting you” also suits well in a professional setting and it is completely alright to use it, But as it shows a bit of eagerness and quick willingness so at times could be a little informal.
- “I’m looking forward to meeting you” could be the best fit for communication between colleagues, and peers probably in scenarios where they are planning to discuss a new project or prepare a presentation together.
- Here’s an example
Jay: Dave! “I’m looking forward to meeting you” to prepare our presentation for tomorrow’s meeting with clients.
Dave: Yeah Sure, Let’s meet at 6.00 PM
Usage of these phrases with Prepositions /as soon as possible / soon
“I’m looking forward to meeting you” Or
“I look forward to meeting you” can be used with prepositions such as on, in, at
For example
- I want to discuss the project. I’m looking forward to meeting you as soon as possible.
- “I look forward to meeting you at 7.00 to discuss more on product design.
Whether one uses “I’m looking forward to meeting you” Or
“I look forward to meeting you”. It means the same and is an effective way to talk in anticipation or to talk about meetings that are to happen ahead. These two phrases easily fit into formal and informal conversations. There is just a slight difference with the context it is being used and even if these two phrases are interchangeably used they mean the same and do not spoil the meaning or offense, anyone. Furnish your communication skills with these phrases to sound professional and courteous.
