• Looking Forward to Speak with You: This phrase uses "speak" as an infinitive verb, indicating a general intent to communicate without specifying the mode. This is an incorrect variant of "Looking Forward to Speaking with You."
  • Looking Forward to Speaking with You: This phrase employs "speaking" as a gerund, specifying a more concrete and ongoing form of communication.

Below is a list of real life scenarios in which you can use the phrase "looking forward to speaking with you":

👨‍💼 Scheduled Meetings or Calls: When you have a scheduled phone call, video conference, or meeting with a colleague, client, or business partner, you might use this phrase to express your anticipation for the upcoming conversation.

👨‍💼 Job Interviews: After an interview, it's common to express your interest and eagerness to potentially speak further or to discuss the next steps in the hiring process.

👨‍💼 Networking Events: When you're planning to connect with someone at a networking event or conference, and you've scheduled a follow-up conversation, you can use this phrase to convey your enthusiasm.

👨‍💼Follow-up Emails: It's often used in follow-up emails after an initial contact to express your desire to continue the conversation or collaboration.
Looking Forward to Speak with You vs. Looking Forward to Speaking with You: Which is Correct?

What is the Difference?

The obvious distinction lies in the verb form used after "looking forward to." In "Looking Forward to Speak with You," the verb is in its base form, while in "Looking Forward to Speaking with You," the verb is in its gerund form.

But, the main difference is that one is correct and one is incorrect. The former is incorrect, while the latter is the grammatically accurate and a widely accepted expression.

When and How to Use

Looking Forward to Speak with You

Incorrect. Avoid using this form. Instead, use "Looking Forward to Speaking with You."

Looking Forward to Speaking with You

Correct. Use this form when expressing anticipation or expectation in professional communication. This is the more formal way to say "looking forward to talking to you."

Example: "I am looking forward to speaking with you about the upcoming project."

Looking Forward to Speaking with you and Looking Forward to Speaking to you is both correct. The former is said more widely in America, while the latter is said more frequently in Britain.
The Phrasal Verb "To Look Forward To"

A phrasal verb is a combination of a main verb and one or more particles, typically prepositions or adverbs, that together convey a specific meaning. In the case of "to look forward to," it functions as a phrasal verb because the combination of "look forward" with the preposition "to" creates a unique meaning that may not be deducible from the individual words.
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Tricks to Remember the Difference

The key is to recognize that "speaking" is the correct form. A helpful trick is to think of "looking forward to" as a phrase that pairs naturally with a gerund (the -ing form of a verb) rather than the base form.

Synonyms for "Looking Forward to"

  • Eagerly anticipating: Eagerly anticipating the arrival of her long-lost friend, Sarah stood at the airport gate with a joyful smile and a bouquet of flowers in her hands.
  • Excited about: Excited about the upcoming concert, Jake couldn't wait to experience the live performance of his favorite band.
  • Eagerly awaiting: Eagerly awaiting the results of the competition, Emily checked her email every few minutes, hoping for positive news about her entry.

Other ways to say Looking Forward to Speaking with You:

  1. Excited to talk with you soon.
  2. Eagerly awaiting our conversation.
  3. Anticipating our discussion.
  4. I'm looking ahead to our upcoming conversation.
  5. I'm enthusiastic about our upcoming call.
  6. Anxiously awaiting our talk.
  7. I look forward to our discussion.
  8. I'm excited about the opportunity to chat.
  9. Our conversation is something I'm really looking forward to.
  10. I can't wait to speak with you.

Antonyms for "Looking Forward to"

  • Dreading: Dreading the prospect of public speaking, Mark felt a knot in his stomach as the presentation day approached.
  • Not anticipating: Not anticipating the sudden change in weather, the hikers were caught off guard by the unexpected storm during their mountain expedition.
  • Indifferent about: Indifferent about the outcome of the game, Alex watched the sports match without much emotion, as he wasn't particularly invested in either team.

Common Idioms/phrases

Anticipating Our Interaction: A formal way of expressing anticipation in professional settings.

  • Example: "I am eagerly anticipating our interaction to finalize the details."

Summary

In the landscape of professional communication, the choice between "Looking Forward to Speak with You" and "Looking Forward to Speaking with You" is more than a matter of formality—it's about clarity and correctness. Always opt for the gerund form when expressing anticipation, ensuring your message resonates professionally.

So, embark on your journey of polished communication, always "looking forward to speaking with you" in the most eloquent and correct manner.

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Reference:

Looking forward to speaking with you: Meaning & Alternatives
Wondering why people often use “looking forward to speaking with you” in business correspondence? Or, are you simply aiming to confirm whether the expression is grammatically sound? Come aboard! Today, we’ll take you on a
LinguablogMarcel Iseli