Look Forward to Hearing from You: Grammar and Email Examples

Write “I look forward to hearing from you,” with hearing. The expression look forward to takes a noun phrase or an -ing form. “I look forward to your reply” uses the same pattern with a noun phrase.

The ending expresses that you would welcome communication. It does not tell the reader which information you need, so put the actual question in the body of your email.

Why “hearing” follows “to”

In this expression, to is a preposition. If another verb follows, use its -ing form: hearing, seeing or attending. The British Council’s staff explanation makes this distinction: an -ing form after look forward to is not, by itself, a present-continuous tense.

This does not mean every to needs an -ing form. “I hope to hear from you” has a different construction. Learn look forward to as a complete expression.

Oxford’s entry for look forward to shows both the noun and -ing patterns. Compare these original examples:

After “I look forward to…”	What follows
your reply	A noun phrase naming the communication
hearing from you	An -ing form describing receiving communication
the orientation	A noun phrase naming an event
seeing you at the orientation	An -ing form describing an expected encounter

Both “I look forward to hearing from you” and “I’m looking forward to hearing from you” are usable. In either version, keep hearing. You do not need to choose between them by applying a rigid rule about formality.

Say what answer you need

Oxford’s hear from entry includes receiving an email, letter or call. In a work email, “hearing from you” can mean receiving a written reply; it does not require a phone conversation.

However, the phrase leaves the content of that reply unspecified. “Could you confirm the number of visitors?” gives the reader a task. “I look forward to hearing from you” can follow it as an optional closing sentence.

For help organizing the full message, use the professional email format guide.

Practice: ask Cole for the laptop count

This situation is fictional. You are Imani, writing to your colleague Cole. Use these facts:

• You and Cole have met before and are both confirmed to attend an equipment orientation on 21 October.
• You need to know how many visitors in Cole’s group will need loan laptops for the orientation.
• No reply deadline has been set. You have no attachment to send and no confirmed laptop reservation to report.

Write a subject and a short complete email before reading the model. Ask for the number in the body and add a closing sentence using look forward to.

Here is one possible answer:

Subject: Loan laptops for the 21 October orientation

Hi Cole,

Could you let me know how many visitors in your group will need loan laptops for the equipment orientation on 21 October?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best, Imani

The question identifies the information Imani needs. The final sentence fits because she is waiting for Cole’s answer. It adds neither a deadline nor a promise that equipment is available.

Now rewrite only the closing sentence, replacing hearing from you with the noun phrase your reply. Then compare your version:

I look forward to your reply.

The expected communication is the same. The first version uses an -ing form; the second names the reply. Keep to in both.

Revise after the answer arrives

Cole has now replied: four visitors need loan laptops. You are acknowledging that information and have no further question. You and Cole will still attend the confirmed orientation.

Rewrite the body and closing sentence before reading the alternative. Acknowledge the number. If you keep look forward to, choose something you now expect. Do not claim that the laptops have been booked.

One possible replacement passage is:

Thanks for confirming that four visitors in your group need loan laptops. I look forward to seeing you at the orientation on 21 October.

This replaces the body and the “hearing from you” sentence. Keep “Hi Cole,” and the “Best, Imani” sign-off when using it as a complete reply.

The revision acknowledges the answer already received and refers to the agreed event. “I look forward to the orientation on 21 October” would also work, using a noun phrase. You could simply acknowledge the number and close without either sentence.

This is a choice for these facts, not a rule that “hearing from you” becomes wrong after any reply. If you have another genuine question, you may still be expecting an answer. Here, Imani has no further question, so the revised ending fits more closely.

Check the grammar and the expectation

Read the words after look forward to: have you used a noun phrase or an -ing form? Then read the whole message: have you asked the actual question, and does the ending fit what you expect next?

The phrase is optional and cannot guarantee a reply. Choose a greeting and sign-off that fit the relationship, and use the email writing exercises for more situations to practise.

To practise writing your own replies, start practicing for free. EmailBetter sends workplace scenarios tailored to your profile to your inbox. You write your reply in your usual email app, then review AI feedback in your dashboard.