Anyone who speaks English knows that the language is no piece of cake. English words and phrases are tricky, with multiple layers of meaning attached to them. For non-native speakers, this difference in words and their connoted meaning can be challenging to interpret. Let’s know the Meaning of Looking Forward to Welcoming you.
The complex language structures are not exclusive to fancy, rarely spoken English. It extends to everyday language as well. One such phrase is, “look forward to welcoming you.”
“[We] look forward to welcoming you” is a phrase used in a variety of situations, from greeting cards to business invites. It means that you anticipate receiving a guest at a future event. The expression is a composition of pronouns, a phrasal verb, and prepositional nouns. It is professional enough to make an appearance in business events but can also be modified to fit informal invites.
This article explores the usage and meaning of this expression, along with some examples. Language is interpreted in several ways, owing to situations and circumstances. We hope to help you cross that bridge between “what was said” and “what can be understood.”
The Grammatical Incorrectness
Yes, grammar sucks.
No, we agree with you. Grammar is nothing but a book of rules, finding errors in the tiniest of sentences. So, who wouldn’t find it annoying? English, especially, suffers from a critical lack of inconsistency when it comes to rules of grammar.
Here is how you can use this expression in a message:
“Hey, John. It has been a long time since we last saw each other. I hope you’re doing well.
It is with great pleasure that I invite you to my wedding ceremony. The ceremony will take place at Garden Z on the 28th of September.
I look forward to welcoming you there.
Yours truly,
Elliot”
The above example is just one of many. But the expression has multiple usages. It is important to note that “To look forward” is a phrasal verb and does not have a literal meaning.
The following section dedicates itself to understanding the grammatical nuance of the phrase.
The Composition
Firstly, let’s look at the use of the expression in the above sentence.
“I look forward to welcoming you.”
- The Pronoun
In the above sentence, the pronoun used is ‘I.’ Pronouns are replaceable in the expression. The ‘I’ here refers to the speaker. However, the speaker can be a group, as well as a third person.
For example: “We look forward to welcoming you at the ceremony.” The “we” can represent multiple people. Pronouns like “We” express many speakers and are helpful when sending an invitation on behalf of an entire team.
Another example is: “Kiki looks forward to welcoming you.” You can exchange a pronoun for a proper noun when writing on behalf of someone. However, keep in mind that a third-person invite can come off as slightly rude and impersonal.
If you’re inviting someone, try to write in the first person as it is more polite.
- The phrasal verb “looks forward-“
When read literally, look means “to see or to use the power of eye’s vision.” The word “forward,” too, means “straight-ahead” when understood in a literal sense.
However, when we put these two words together, “looks forward” gives us a new meaning altogether.
“Looks forward,” as an expression, means to anticipate something. Generally, it carries a positive feeling of happiness and excitement for the near future.
- “Welcoming you-”
Without diving into the grammatical complexity of these two words- “welcoming you” can be summarised as the central purpose of the sentence.
“To welcome” is to greet hospitably. The meaning does not change within the phrase. Instead, it’s written in a present participle form. The easiest way to identify a present-participle sentence is to look for the -ing at the base of a verb.
There are synonyms to the expression which exist. A common alternative is a phrase “I am looking forward to seeing you.”
There is no substantial difference between “looking forward to welcoming you” and “looking forward to seeing you.” Both the phrases convey the same message and are virtually interchangeable. They both carry a connotation of anticipation and excitement along with a warm and hospitable tone.
Here’s an example:
Dear Jane,
It is with great pleasure that I invite you to my wedding ceremony. The ceremony will take place at the Outstation Cathedral on the 7th of September.
I’m looking forward to seeing you.
Yours sincerely,
Michael K. John
Both the expressions can replace each other without drastically affecting the nature of the message.
The Usage
Several situations make use of this expression. “Looking forward to welcoming you” is formal, but it can also be modified to fit casual conversations. Given its flexibility, it is no surprise that the expression is widely used.
The sample examples below are not exhaustive. There are many other ways in which this phrase can be utilized.
Sample 01: When writing a formal, business-oriented invitation
Business-oriented events are often a result of a group effort. An entire department or section of the office takes part in its organization. When sending out invites for such an invite, it is preferable to use subjects like “we” as it is more inclusive.
Here is an example of its usage:
Dear Kate,
We gladly invite you to our Annual Flagship Event, “The Exposure.” The event gives new creators a chance to exhibit their creations and reach a wider audience.
The event will take place at 6 pm on the corporate grounds of tower 6, on the 13th of October. Please reply to this email to confirm your attendance.
We are looking forward to welcoming you there.
Yours Sincerely,
Anna Lee
Senior Executive, Corporate Z
Sample 02: When writing an informal invite to your family and friends
- The Single Organizer
In some cases, you might be the only person who took part in the organization of an event. Such events tend to be personal and limited to the gathering of close friends and family.
For such events, you can use the phrase in the following manner. The body of the email is just as important. It sets the tone for the event and gives more meaning to the use of the expression.
A cold and distant body makes the expression seem unwelcoming. Here is an example:
Dear Jerry,
I hope you’re doing well. I am writing this email to you to inform you about the campfire party that I am organizing. It has been a long time since all of us have reunited and spent some time together. I thought a party would be a perfect chance to meet up.
The event takes place at the western end of the Peace Shore Beach from 8 pm onwards, on the 17th of July. I have planned a late-night fireworks show as well.
I am looking forward to seeing you there.
Yours truly,
Jenny Pal
- The Two People invite
If you have a spouse or a partner, it is a given that any invitation you extend will include courtesies from both of you. While writing a “we” instead of an “I” does the trick, it is better to mention their name.
The above sample follows the first-person narrative. That is, we see the invitation signed off by a single person. However, in a situation where you organize a party, along with your spouse, the end greetings experience a slight change.
“…
The event takes place at the western end of the Peace Shore Beach from 8 pm onwards, on the 17th of July. We have planned a late-night fireworks show as well.
Kevin and I are looking forward to welcoming you.
Yours truly,
Jenny Pal”
Notice how the second email becomes more inclusive. When organizing an event along with another person, it is best to include them within the body of the email.
Writing invite emails can seem intimidating. More so when faced with immense vocabulary and a list of phrases that can have ten different meanings. However, the best way to write an invite is to keep it simple.
Give a polite greeting and follow it up with the most crucial details of the event. In the end, sign it off with a “looking forward to welcoming you.” Simple expressions can add depth to your emails, and this one expression does just that. It conveys respect and a warm reception.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What does the phrase “looking forward” mean?
“Looking forward” means to anticipate a future event. It conveys feelings of happiness and excitement.
“Looking forward” is a phrasal verb. That is, it has been composed with the use of two verbs, which have a unique meaning. The literal meaning of the words “look” and “forward” have little to do with the actual meaning of “looking forward.”
Q2. What does the expression “looking forward to welcoming you” mean?
The expression “looking forward to welcoming you” conveys the anticipation of receiving a guest at an event. The expression is usually used in invitation cards.
The expression is perfect for the situation as it is polite and represents the organizers’ hospitality towards the attendees.
Q3. Is the phrase suitable for casual events?
Yes! You can use the phrase for wedding invitations, birthday parties, meet-ups, etc. Although the phrase has a formal tone to it, it isn’t restricted to completely corporate usage.
You can use it when sending invites to your friends and acquaintances without sounding standoffish.
Q4. Does it have any synonyms?
A common alternative to this expression is, “looking forward to seeing you.” Both the expressions have a similar meaning and are easily interchangeable. You can use any of the two expressions without changing the meaning of your message.
