Looking Forward On Your Response | Wording That Works

Use “looking forward to your response,” since “to” fits the phrase and “on” sounds unnatural.

If you’re ending an email and want to sound polite, the phrase you want is “looking forward to your response.” The word “on” doesn’t fit this expression in standard English, so “looking forward on your response” reads awkwardly to most readers.

This small preposition matters because closing lines carry tone. A good closing should sound warm, clear, and calm. It should tell the reader you’d like a reply without sounding pushy, stiff, or careless.

Why Looking Forward On Your Response Sounds Wrong

The phrase “look forward to” works as a fixed expression. That means the words usually stay together. You look forward to a reply, an update, a meeting, a call, or a decision.

The word “on” is used in other phrases, such as “comment on your response” or “follow up on your response.” It points toward a topic or action. It doesn’t work well after “looking forward,” because the phrase needs “to” before the thing you expect.

The corrected line is:

  • “I look forward to your response.”
  • “I’m looking forward to your response.”
  • “Looking forward to your response.”

The first option is polished and safe for work emails. The second sounds warmer. The third is common, but it’s a fragment, so use it mainly when your email tone is relaxed.

What The Correct Phrase Means In Email

“I look forward to your response” means you expect or hope for a reply. It works when you’ve asked a question, sent a proposal, requested a file, or invited someone to share feedback.

It’s polite, but it can sound formal. That’s not always a bad thing. Formal closings work well when you’re writing to a client, recruiter, professor, manager, vendor, or new contact.

Grammar references treat “look forward to” as the standard pattern. The Cambridge Dictionary entry for “look forward to” gives the same structure: the phrase takes “to,” then the thing someone is pleased or eager about.

When To Use The Phrase Naturally

Use the phrase when the reply matters and you want to close cleanly. It works best after you’ve already made the request clear in the body of the email.

Here are good places to use it:

  • After a job application follow-up.
  • After sending meeting notes for review.
  • After asking a client to approve a draft.
  • After requesting dates, files, prices, or feedback.
  • After sending a proposal or contract question.

Don’t rely on the closing line to do all the work. If the email doesn’t clearly ask for a reply, “I look forward to your response” may feel vague. Add one direct sentence before the closing, such as “Please send the signed copy by Friday.”

Looking Forward To Your Response Examples That Sound Polished

The right wording depends on your relationship with the reader. A recruiter email should sound different from a note to a coworker. A client reminder should be polite, but it should also tell the reader what happens next.

Situation Better Closing Line Why It Works
Job application follow-up I look forward to your response. Polished and suitable for a formal hiring email.
Client approval request I look forward to your feedback on the draft. Names the exact reply you need.
Vendor pricing email I look forward to receiving your updated quote. Direct, polite, and tied to the next step.
Professor or school email I look forward to hearing from you. Respectful without sounding too stiff.
Team email Thanks, I’m looking forward to your thoughts. Warm and natural for coworkers.
Follow-up after no reply I’d appreciate your response when you have a chance. Gentle, clear, and less repetitive.
Deadline-based request Please send your response by Thursday so I can finalize the file. Gives the reader a clear date and reason.
Sales or proposal email I look forward to your thoughts on the proposal. Professional, but not too forceful.

The safest version is still “I look forward to your response.” It’s clean and widely accepted. But the best version is the one that names what you need: feedback, approval, a quote, dates, or a decision.

How Formal Should The Closing Be?

“I look forward to your response” sounds more formal than “Hope to hear from you soon.” Both can work, but they don’t fit the same setting. A formal line is better when the email has money, hiring, deadlines, contracts, school matters, or client work attached to it.

The Purdue OWL business letter format shows how professional writing favors clear, orderly language. Your closing line should do the same: stay polite, state the reply you need, and avoid wording that sounds forced.

Use Formal Wording When Stakes Are Higher

Formal wording is a good match when you’re writing to someone you don’t know well. It also works when you need to sound careful and respectful.

Good formal options include:

  • “I look forward to your response.”
  • “I look forward to hearing from you.”
  • “I look forward to receiving your feedback.”
  • “I would appreciate your response by Friday.”

Use Warmer Wording With Familiar Readers

If you’re writing to a teammate or regular contact, a warmer line may sound better. It can still be polite without feeling stiff.

Try these:

  • “Thanks, I’m looking forward to your thoughts.”
  • “I’d love to hear what you think.”
  • “Send me your thoughts when you can.”
  • “Thanks, I’ll wait for your update.”

Common Mistakes To Avoid

The main mistake is using the wrong preposition. The second mistake is repeating the same closing in every email, even when the email needs a clearer call to action.

Weak Version Better Version Fix
Looking forward on your response. Looking forward to your response. Use “to” after “looking forward.”
I am waiting your response. I’m waiting for your response. Add “for” after “waiting.”
Revert back soon. Please reply when you can. Use plain email wording.
Do the needful. Please send the revised file. Name the action you need.
Reply ASAP. Please reply by 3 p.m. if possible. Give a time, not pressure.

Another common issue is tone. “I expect your response” can sound demanding. “I look forward to your response” is softer, but it still tells the reader you’re waiting for a reply.

Should You Say “Response” Or “Reply”?

Both words are correct, but they carry a slightly different feel. “Response” sounds more formal. “Reply” sounds plainer and more direct.

Use “response” when the matter is formal or detailed. Use “reply” when the email is simple. If you need more than a yes or no, choose a more exact word: feedback, approval, quote, update, confirmation, or decision.

Style references such as the APA preposition guidance explain that prepositions show relationships between words. In this phrase, “to” links the feeling of anticipation to the thing expected.

Better Email Endings You Can Copy

Here are polished closings you can paste into work emails. Pick the one that matches what you need from the reader.

  • “I look forward to your response.”
  • “I look forward to hearing from you.”
  • “I look forward to your feedback on the draft.”
  • “Please send your response by Friday so I can finalize the next step.”
  • “Thanks, I’m looking forward to your thoughts.”
  • “I’d appreciate your reply when you have a chance.”
  • “Please let me know which option works best for you.”

If the email has a deadline, include the deadline before the closing. If the email has a decision attached, name the decision. Clear wording saves both sides from another round of messages.

Final Wording To Use

The correct phrase is “looking forward to your response,” not “looking forward on your response.” Use “I look forward to your response” for formal email. Use “I’m looking forward to your thoughts” when you want a warmer tone.

A strong closing doesn’t need fancy wording. It needs the right preposition, a clear request, and a tone that fits the reader. That’s enough to end the email cleanly and make the next step easy.

References & Sources

  • Cambridge Dictionary.“Look Forward To.”Shows the standard phrase pattern using “to” after “look forward.”
  • Purdue Online Writing Lab.“Basic Business Letters.”Gives professional letter structure and tone guidance for formal writing.
  • APA Style.“Prepositions.”Explains how prepositions connect words and clarify meaning in sentences.