Looking Forward to Hearing From You: Meaning, Grammar and 25 Alternatives
"Looking forward to hearing from you" is correct and polite. The "to" is a preposition, so it must be followed by an -ing form: "look forward to hearing", never "to hear". It suits most emails but can sound like a demand. When you need an answer, replace it with a concrete next step and a date.
Is it "looking forward to hearing" or "looking forward to hear"?
The correct form is looking forward to hearing from you. In the phrasal verb look forward to, the word to is a preposition, not part of an infinitive. A preposition takes a noun or an -ing form, so the verb after it must be hearing.
| Correct | Incorrect |
|---|---|
| I look forward to hearing from you. | I look forward to hear from you. |
| We are looking forward to meeting you. | We are looking forward to meet you. |
| She looks forward to starting in March. | She looks forward to start in March. |
| I look forward to your reply. | I look forward to reply you. |
A quick test: if you can replace the verb with a noun and the sentence still works, the "to" is a preposition. "I look forward to your reply" works, so "I look forward to hearing from you" is the matching pattern. The same rule applies to other verb-plus-to combinations, such as be used to, be committed to, object to and in addition to.
Which tenses and forms are fine?
All of these are standard in British and American English:
- I look forward to hearing from you. Present simple, the most common form in business email.
- I am looking forward to hearing from you. Present continuous, slightly warmer and more personal.
- Looking forward to hearing from you. The subject is dropped, which is normal in email sign-offs but a little more casual.
- I look forward to hearing from you soon. Adds a time hint, though soon is vague.
Do not write "I am looking forward to hear of you" or "looking forward to hearing back to you". Use hearing from you or hearing back from you.
What does the phrase actually mean?
It says you expect a reply and that you welcome it. Look forward to means to anticipate something with pleasure, so the phrase is both a courteous close and a quiet request for a response. That double function is why it is so common at the end of cover letters, client emails and follow-ups.
Is it formal or informal?
It sits in the middle of the formality range, which is why it is safe almost anywhere. Compare:
- Formal: "I look forward to hearing from you." Fine for a job application, a letter to a university or a message to an unfamiliar client.
- Neutral: "Looking forward to hearing from you." Fine for colleagues and clients you already know.
- Informal: "Can't wait to hear from you!" or "Talk soon." Fine for friends and close teammates.
In formal letters in the UK, the phrase pairs with the salutation: "Dear Mr Patel" closes with "Yours sincerely", while "Dear Sir or Madam" closes with "Yours faithfully". In US business writing, "Sincerely" or "Best regards" follows it. Choose the closing that matches your greeting, then keep the phrase itself plain.
When does it sound pushy?
The phrase is polite, but it does not tell the reader what to do or when. Three situations make it backfire.
- You already asked a question and it was ignored. Repeating "I look forward to hearing from you" after a second reminder reads as pressure with a smile on top.
- You are writing to someone senior or someone who owes you nothing. An applicant who ends "I look forward to hearing from you" is hoping. One who writes "I look forward to hearing from you by Friday" is setting a deadline for a hiring manager.
- The close adds nothing. If every email you send ends with the same line, readers stop noticing it, and you lose the chance to state what you need.
The fix is to swap the stock phrase for a concrete next step and a date whenever you need something. Vague closes produce vague replies. Specific ones are easier to answer.
Before and after
Before (vague):
Thank you for your time yesterday. I look forward to hearing from you.
After (specific, still polite):
Thank you for your time yesterday. If it helps, I can send the two references by Thursday. Could you let me know by 15 December whether you would like to move to a second interview?
Before (pushy):
I have not had a reply to my last two messages. I look forward to hearing from you.
After (clear and low-pressure):
I wanted to check that my invoice (no. 2041, due 30 November) reached you. A one-line confirmation is all I need, and I am happy to resend it if it went astray.
25 alternatives by context
Pick the one that matches your relationship with the reader and what you actually want from them.
Job applications and interviews
| Alternative | Use it when |
|---|---|
| I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my application further. | Closing a cover letter |
| I would be glad to provide references or samples on request. | Offering more material |
| Thank you for considering my application. | Closing without asking for a reply |
| I am available for an interview at your convenience. | Making scheduling easy |
| I hope to speak with you about the role soon. | A warm but modest close |
| Please let me know if you need anything further from me. | After submitting documents |
| I am happy to answer any questions about my background. | Closing an application letter |
Clients, customers and senior colleagues
| Alternative | Use it when |
|---|---|
| I look forward to your thoughts. | Asking for feedback |
| Please let me know if you have any questions. | Closing a proposal or quote |
| Could you confirm by Friday so we can keep to the schedule? | You need an answer by a date |
| I would appreciate your reply by [date]. | A firm but courteous deadline |
| I will follow up on Tuesday if I have not heard back. | You will take the next step |
| Thank you in advance for your help. | A request is already made (use sparingly) |
| I look forward to working with you. | Confirming a deal or start date |
Colleagues and ongoing threads
| Alternative | Use it when |
|---|---|
| Let me know what you think. | Quick feedback is enough |
| Happy to adjust if anything needs changing. | Sending a draft |
| Keep me posted. | You want updates, not a reply now |
| Over to you. | You have done your part |
| Shall we speak on Wednesday? | You want a meeting |
Friends and informal notes
| Alternative | Use it when |
|---|---|
| Can't wait to hear how it goes! | After news or an event |
| Write back when you can. | No deadline at all |
| Talk soon. | A short, friendly close |
| Drop me a line when you're free. | Relaxed and warm |
| Let's catch up soon. | Suggesting a meeting |
| Hope to hear from you soon. | A gentle, neutral close |
A short checklist before you press send
- Did you use hearing, not hear, after look forward to?
- Does your close match the greeting (Dear Ms Okafor, Yours sincerely; Hi Sam, Best)?
- If you need an answer, did you state what you need and by when?
- Is the close different from the last email in the same thread?
- Would the line sound natural if you said it aloud to that person?
Common mistakes
- "Looking forward to hear from you." The most frequent error. Use hearing.
- "I am looking forward for your reply." Wrong preposition. Use to: "I look forward to your reply."
- "Looking forward to hearing from you" in the middle of a paragraph. It belongs in the closing line.
- Stacking two closes. "Thanks in advance, and I look forward to hearing from you, please let me know" is three requests in one. Choose one.
- Using it as a deadline. Without a date, it is a hope. With "by Friday", it is a request.
Use AdeptWrite to polish the close
If you are unsure about a draft, paste it into the Grammar Checker. It highlights each change it makes, so you can see whether your closing line was altered and accept or reject it. If an email sounds too stiff or too casual, the Tone Changer offers Formal, Office and Casual modes. For a first draft of a follow-up or a formal letter, the Email Writer turns your details into a draft and leaves square-bracket placeholders for anything you did not supply. These tools are free for up to 6,000 characters per run. They suggest wording; read the result and edit it so it sounds like you, and check names, dates and amounts yourself.
For more on closing and following up, read how to end an email, email etiquette and how to write a follow-up email.
Try the tools
Frequently asked questions
Is "looking forward to hear from you" correct?
No. After "look forward to", use the -ing form: "looking forward to hearing from you". The word "to" here is a preposition, not part of an infinitive, so it takes a noun or a gerund. "I look forward to your reply" follows the same pattern.
Is "looking forward to hearing from you" too formal or too casual?
It sits in the middle and works in most business emails, job applications and client messages. For close friends, "Talk soon" or "Write back when you can" sounds more natural. For a strictly formal letter, "I look forward to hearing from you" is still fully acceptable.
Can I use it in a cover letter?
Yes. It is a standard close, though a stronger version is "I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my application further". Avoid setting a deadline for the employer; offer your availability or documents instead, and thank them for considering your application.
What should I say if the person has not replied?
Do not repeat the stock phrase. Send a short follow-up that names the item you are waiting for, offers to resend it, and gives a date for your next step, such as "I will check in again on Tuesday". Keep the tone friendly and specific.
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