Understanding whether it is correct to say “I am very much looking forward” often comes up in everyday English usage, especially in formal writing and professional communication. The phrase itself is widely used, but it is important to understand its grammatical structure and natural tone. In standard English, the more complete and correct expression is “I am very much looking forward to…”, followed by a noun or gerund (for example, looking forward to meeting you). Without the preposition “to,” the sentence feels incomplete and grammatically incorrect. Many learners confuse this because of the phrase’s informal appearance in emails, messages, and business correspondence. The English grammar rules, preposition usage, and sentence structure all play an important role in determining whether the expression is correct or not.
In real-life communication, especially in formal English writing, people often use variations like “I am looking forward to”, “I am very much looking forward to hearing from you”, or “I am eagerly looking forward” to add emphasis and politeness. The phrase “looking forward” itself is an example of a phrasal verb construction, which must be followed by “to” to be grammatically complete. Understanding the correct usage helps improve communication skills, professional email writing, and overall English fluency. So, while “I am very much looking forward” is commonly seen, it is not correct on its own and should always include “to” for proper grammatical accuracy and natural expression.
Understanding the Expression: “I Am Very Much Looking Forward”
Let’s start by analyzing what each part of “I am very much looking forward” really means.
- I am – Present continuous tense, showing the action is ongoing.
- Very much – An intensifier meant to increase the enthusiasm.
- Looking forward – Indicates anticipation or eagerness about something in the future.
At first glance, this combination seems logical. However, in practice, it often feels redundant or overly formal. Native speakers usually say “I look forward to…” or “I am really looking forward to…” instead.
Here’s an example:
| Sentence | Is it natural? | Notes |
| I am very much looking forward to meeting you. | Awkward | Too formal, “very much” feels excessive. |
| I am really looking forward to meeting you. | Natural | Sounds enthusiastic but conversational. |
| I look forward to meeting you. | Polite and formal | Perfect for emails and business writing. |
Notice how “really” or leaving out the intensifier entirely makes the sentence smoother.
Common Mistakes With This Expression
Many learners overcomplicate “looking forward” by adding unnecessary intensifiers. Here are the most common mistakes:
- Over-intensifying with “very much”
Using “very much” can make your sentence sound awkward, especially in everyday conversation. - Using it in casual contexts
Saying, “I am very much looking forward to hanging out” sounds stiff. A more natural phrasing would be: “I’m really looking forward to hanging out.” - Mixing formal and informal tones
“I am very much looking forward to our lunch tomorrow” tries to sound formal but ends up confusing. In formal emails, you can simply say “I look forward to our lunch tomorrow.”
Here’s a quick comparison table of incorrect vs correct usage:
| Incorrect | Correct | Context |
| I am very much looking forward to the conference. | I am really looking forward to the conference. | Casual or semi-formal |
| I am very much looking forward to your reply. | I look forward to your reply. | Formal email |
| I am very much looking forward to seeing you. | Can’t wait to see you! | Informal conversation |
Formal vs Informal English
Choosing the right tone matters. The phrase “very much looking forward” is often misused in both formal and informal settings.
Formal writing:
- Correct: I look forward to hearing from you.
- Incorrect: I am very much looking forward to hearing from you.
- Tip: Use “look forward to” without extra intensifiers in professional emails, letters, and business contexts.
Informal conversation:
- Correct: I’m really looking forward to the party!
- Correct: Can’t wait to see you!
- Avoid “very much” here—it sounds unnatural in spoken English.
Mini case study:
A recent review of 500 business emails found that 35% of non-native English writers used “very much looking forward”, while native speakers almost always used “look forward to”. Those who over-intensified often received responses that felt overly formal or awkward.
Better Alternatives to “I Am Very Much Looking Forward”
Instead of struggling with “very much looking forward,” you can use these alternatives:
| Alternative | Tone | Context |
| I am looking forward to… | Polite & formal | Business emails, letters |
| I really look forward to… | Polite & conversational | Semi-formal emails |
| I can’t wait to… | Informal | Friend chats, casual emails |
| I am eager to… | Formal & enthusiastic | Professional, academic |
| I’m excited to… | Casual & friendly | Conversations, emails |
Tips for choosing the right intensity:
- Consider your audience—formal vs casual.
- Decide whether enthusiasm or politeness is more important.
- Keep sentences clear and concise.
Why Native Speakers Avoid “Very Much Looking Forward”
Why does this phrase feel unnatural? There are a few reasons:
- Wordiness – Native speakers prefer concise phrasing. Adding “very much” is often unnecessary.
- Redundancy – “Looking forward” already implies excitement, so intensifiers can be overkill.
- Stylistic preference – Modern English favors simpler, punchier sentences.
Example from a style guide:
“Avoid unnecessary intensifiers like ‘very much’ in formal correspondence. ‘I look forward to’ suffices.” – Oxford English Style Guide
Diagram: Intensifier Pairing With Verbs
Looking forward + really → natural
Looking forward + very much → awkward
Excited + very much → natural in some cases
How to Sound Natural While Expressing Anticipation
Here are practical ways to express anticipation without sounding awkward:
- Emails:
- Correct: I look forward to your feedback.
- Incorrect: I am very much looking forward to your feedback.
- Conversations:
- Correct: I’m really looking forward to seeing you!
- Incorrect: I am very much looking forward to seeing you!
- Presentations or speeches:
- Correct: We are excited to launch our new project next week.
- Incorrect: We are very much looking forward to launching our new project next week.
Dos and Don’ts:
- Do: Use simple, clear language.
- Do: Match tone to context.
- Don’t: Overuse “very much” or other intensifiers unnecessarily.
- Don’t: Mix casual words with stiff formal phrases.
Anecdote:
A marketing manager once wrote in an email:
“I am very much looking forward to our collaboration.”
Her client responded:
“Thanks, but a simpler ‘I look forward to working with you’ works better.”
Lesson: Simplicity communicates enthusiasm more effectively than over-intensifying.
Quick Grammar Rules Checklist
When using “look forward to”, keep these points in mind:
- Always follow with a noun or gerund: I look forward to meeting you.
- Avoid adding very much in professional contexts.
- Use really or eager if you want emphasis: I really look forward to it.
- Remember: “looking forward” already shows anticipation.
Bullet summary:
- ✅ Correct: I look forward to your response.
- ✅ Correct: I am really looking forward to the event.
- ❌ Incorrect: I am very much looking forward to the event.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is “I am very much looking forward” grammatically incorrect?
- Not strictly. It’s grammatically correct, but it sounds unnatural or overformal in most contexts.
Can “very much” be used with other expressions similarly?
- Yes, for example: I very much appreciate your help.
- Tip: Use “very much” with verbs that accept intensifiers naturally, like appreciate, enjoy, admire.
What’s the difference between “I am looking forward to it” and “I really look forward to it”?
- “I am looking forward to it” – neutral, polite.
- “I really look forward to it” – slightly more enthusiastic but still natural.
Do British and American English differ in usage?
- British English sometimes tolerates “very much looking forward” slightly more in formal writing, but even there, “look forward to” is preferred.
- American English favors concise, direct phrasing.
Conclusion
So, is it correct to say “I am very much looking forward”? Yes, it’s grammatically correct, but in practice, it often sounds stiff or awkward.
To communicate naturally, consider these points:
- Use “I look forward to” in formal writing.
- Use “I’m really looking forward to” in semi-formal or conversational contexts.
- Avoid over-intensifying with “very much”, especially in emails or casual speech.
Mastering this small adjustment can make your English sound polished, natural, and confident. Next time you want to express excitement or anticipation, remember: simplicity and clarity win over unnecessary intensifiers every time.
