Useful options include anticipating, eagerly awaiting, excited about, and pleased to anticipate. The best choice depends on context: phrases for expressing positive anticipation in formal and casual contexts.
Choose the Phrase by Tone and Grammar
- Anticipating
- Eagerly awaiting
- Excited about
- Pleased to anticipate
- Keen to
- Eager to
- Can’t wait for
- Happy to be approaching
- Looking ahead to
- Expecting with interest
- Enthusiastic about
- Ready for
- Awaiting
- Glad to anticipate
- Counting down to
Anticipating
“Anticipating” is neutral and slightly formal for an expected future event.
Example: We are anticipating the launch next month.
Eagerly awaiting
“Eagerly awaiting” adds a strong sense of impatience or enthusiasm while waiting.
Example: We are eagerly awaiting the final decision.
Excited about
“Excited about” is natural for plans, events, or experiences that already make you feel enthusiastic.
Example: I’m excited about the opportunity to work together.
Pleased to anticipate
“Pleased to anticipate” is formal but can sound stiff; use it only where that register suits.
Example: We are pleased to anticipate another successful year.
Keen to
“Keen to” is common in British English before a verb or noun phrase.
Example: I’m keen to discuss the proposal in more detail.
Eager to
“Eager to” is direct and enthusiastic before an action you want to take.
Example: We are eager to begin the next phase.
Can’t wait for
“Can’t wait for” is very informal and strongest when you are genuinely highly excited.
Example: I can’t wait for the concert next week.
Happy to be approaching
“Happy to be approaching” is understandable but less idiomatic than simpler options such as “excited about”.
Example: We’re happy to be approaching the final milestone.
Looking ahead to
“Looking ahead to” emphasizes directing your attention positively toward what comes next.
Example: We’re looking ahead to the autumn programme.
Expecting with interest
“Expecting with interest” is measured and useful when the anticipation is positive but restrained.
Example: We are expecting the results with interest.
Enthusiastic about
“Enthusiastic about” is strong and works well for something you feel actively positive about.
Example: The team is enthusiastic about the next phase.
Ready for
“Ready for” emphasizes preparedness as much as anticipation.
Example: We’re ready for the launch.
Awaiting
“Awaiting” is neutral and can be positive, negative, or simply expectant depending on context.
Example: We are awaiting confirmation of the date.
Glad to anticipate
“Glad to anticipate” is grammatical but more formal and less natural than “looking forward to” in most everyday writing.
Example: I’m glad to anticipate a quieter period ahead.
Counting down to
“Counting down to” is informal and suggests actively counting the time until the event.
Example: The children are counting down to the holiday.