Looking forwards to receiving...

[Nivar]

I have always had some doubts regarding this closing sentence:

Looking forwards to receiving from you at your earliest convenience.

It is the combination of "receiving" forwarded by "to" what does not sound right to me. Can anyone help?

[wrholt]

In US English we say "to look forward to [an event]" (no 's' on "forward"), and it means "to wait for (an event)", with a strong suggestion that [the event] is desirable.

[Nivar]

Originally Posted by wrholt

In US English we say "to look forward to [an event]" (no 's' on "forward"), and it means "to wait for (an event)", with a strong suggestion that [the event] is desirable.

So, looking forward to receiving ... Would be correct in your opinion?

[wrholt]

Originally Posted by Nivar

So, looking forward to receiving ... Would be correct in your opinion?

In the US, yes.

[Luna Azul]

"Looking forward to receiving" is correct.

I think I know what's bothering you.. the fact that "to" is used in front of a -ing form, not an infinitive. Right?

However, it happens sometimes. There's at least one other expression that uses "to+ ing": "I'm used to drinking a lot of milk"..

Maybe there are some others, right now I can't think of any..

[Nivar]

Thank you both.

I use sometimes "Looking forward to hearing from you".

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by Nivar

I use sometimes "Looking forward to hearing from you".

This is the English gerund (a noun), not to be confused with the present participle (an adjective) which is the Spanish gerundio. (The above to is not part of an infinitive.)

[Nivar]

Originally Posted by Perikles

This is the English gerund (a noun), not to be confused with the present participle (an adjective) which is the Spanish gerundio. (The above to is not part of an infinitive.)

So, would you agree that my sentence is correct?

Note: I like your perenquén.:-)

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by Nivar

So, would you agree that my sentence is correct?

I'm a pedant, so I have to say it is not actually a sentence because it has no finite verb. You could argue that it is the first half of a formulaic sentence ending a letter. This takes the form

Looking forward to (bla bla),
I remain,
Yours sincerely
Joe Bloggs

If the second bit is missed out, with the verb I remain, then what you wrote is an adjectival phrase describing the writer.

Originally Posted by Nivar

Looking forwards to receiving from you at your earliest convenience.

Anyway. The problem here is that you don't say what it is that you might be receiving, so it makes no sense to me. What does make sense:

Looking forward to receiving a reply from you at your earliest convenience.

Looking forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.

Originally Posted by Nivar

Note: I like your perenquén.:

Thanks, we have one or two in the house. I bet you do too.

[Nivar]

That has been of great help. Thank you very much!


Note: Perenquenes do not like the mist of the northern midlands of your island!