Look Forward to Hearing From You: Why It's Hearing, Not Hear

"I look forward to hear from you" is one of the most common errors in emails written by non-native speakers. It feels logical. After all, "I want to hear from you" and "I hope to hear from you" are both correct. So why does "look forward to" need "hearing"?

The short answer: in "look forward to," the word to is not part of a verb like "to hear." It is followed by a thing, and when that thing is an action, English uses the -ing form.

1. What the dictionary says

The Cambridge Dictionary defines "look forward to something" as feeling pleased and excited about something that is going to happen. Its examples show two kinds of words after "to":

• A noun: "She was looking forward to the meal."
• An -ing verb: "She was looking forward to seeing the grandchildren again."

Cambridge marks the second pattern with a grammar code meaning "+ -ing verb." It does not list a pattern with the base form of the verb.

Cambridge also lists a second, formal use: at the end of a formal letter, to say you hope to hear from or see someone soon, or that you expect something from them. Its examples:

• "I look forward to hearing from you."
• "I look forward to receiving your client's cheque..." (US spelling: check)

2. The noun test

Here is a quick way to check any sentence. Try putting a noun right after "to."

• "I look forward to the meeting." Correct.
• "I look forward to our call." Correct.

If a noun fits there, an -ing verb fits in the same place, because the -ing form is acting like a noun:

• "I look forward to meeting you."
• "I look forward to speaking with you."

Now compare "I hope to hear from you." You cannot say "I hope to the meeting." The noun test fails, which tells you that this "to" belongs to the verb, so the base form "hear" is correct.

3. The same pattern in "be used to"

Cambridge's guidance on "be used to" shows the same structure. "Be used to something" or "be used to doing something" means you have done or experienced something a lot. Cambridge's examples:

• "I'm used to hot weather." (noun)
• "He's not used to working long hours." (-ing verb)

Cambridge also flags a related error: "He's not use to working long hours." The correct form is "used," with a d.

Do not confuse this with "used to" plus a base verb, which Cambridge describes as talking about a past situation or habit: "I used to live in Italy, but now I live in England." In that sentence there is no form of "be," and the base verb "live" follows.

4. Formal or friendly?

Cambridge labels the letter-closing use "formal," and its example uses the simple present: "I look forward to hearing from you." Its everyday examples often use the continuous form, such as "I'm looking forward to seeing Julie."

Cambridge does not set a rule for email, but a common convention is this choice:

• Formal (new client, job application, official request): "I look forward to hearing from you."
• Friendlier (colleague, ongoing project): "I'm looking forward to hearing from you."

Both use "hearing." Only the level of formality changes.

5. Before and after

Before: I look forward to hear from you soon. After: I look forward to hearing from you soon. Why: "To" is followed by a noun or an -ing form here.

Before: We are looking forward to receive your feedback. After: We are looking forward to receiving your feedback.

Before: I look forward to work with your team. After: I look forward to working with your team.

Before: I am use to joining calls late at night. After: I am used to joining calls late at night. Why: "Be used to" needs "used" and is followed by an -ing verb.

Before: I'm looking forward the workshop next week. After: I'm looking forward to the workshop next week. Why: "To" is part of the phrase and cannot be dropped.

6. Make the closing more useful

"I look forward to hearing from you" is polite, but it does not tell the reader what you need. When you are waiting for something specific, you can name it:

• "I look forward to your confirmation by Friday."
• "I look forward to receiving the signed contract."
• "I'm looking forward to seeing the first draft."

Each one still follows the same rule: a noun or an -ing verb after "to."

7. Key takeaways

• In "look forward to," the word "to" is followed by a noun or an -ing verb, never the base form.
• Use the noun test: if a noun fits after "to," use -ing for a verb in that spot.
• "Be used to" follows the same pattern, while "used to" for past habits takes the base verb.
• "I look forward to hearing from you" is the formal closing; "I'm looking forward to..." sounds friendlier.
• For a stronger closing, name what you are waiting for, such as a confirmation or a signed document.