Introduction
If you write a lot of business emails, you have probably typed the phrase “other way to say I look forward to speaking with you” into a search bar at least once. It is a polite, professional closing line, but it starts to feel repetitive when you use it in every email. You want a fresh way to say the same thing without sounding stiff, casual, or pushy.
The good news is that you have plenty of options. A small change in wording can make your message sound warmer, more confident, or more formal, depending on who you are writing to. In this guide, you will find 28 professional and polite alternatives to “I look forward to speaking with you,” grouped by tone and situation, plus ready to use email examples, common mistakes to avoid, and answers to the questions people ask most often.
Whether you are emailing a client, a hiring manager, a colleague, or a new business contact, you will find a line here that fits. Keep this list bookmarked, and you will never have to repeat the same closing line again.
What Does “I Look Forward to Speaking with You” Mean?
The phrase means you are pleased about a future conversation and you expect it to happen. It signals enthusiasm, politeness, and respect for the other person’s time. People use it at the end of emails, cover letters, and messages when a call or meeting has been planned, or when they hope one will be arranged.
Tone is warm but professional, not overly formal and not casual, which is why it works in so many business situations. It also moves the conversation forward, pointing to the next step, the upcoming call or meeting.
Its weakness is that, because it is so common, it can start to sound automatic, like a template line rather than a genuine thought. That is why people search for an other way to say I look forward to meeting you or a fresh version of this speaking phrase. A small variation keeps your message feeling personal and thoughtful, while keeping the same polite meaning.
Examples in action:
- “Thank you for your time today. I look forward to speaking with you on Thursday about the project timeline.”
- “I have attached the proposal for your review. I look forward to speaking with you soon.”
- “It was great to connect on LinkedIn. I look forward to speaking with you about the role.”
In each case, the speaker is expressing positive expectation. The alternatives below do the same job, but each one carries a slightly different tone.
When to Use This Phrase in Professional Communication
This phrase fits best when a conversation is planned or expected. Use it in emails to clients after you propose a call, in cover letters when you hope for an interview, in messages to managers when a meeting is scheduled, and in follow up emails after an introduction.
It works well in customer service messages, where a warm closing reassures the customer that help is coming. For example, a support agent might write, “I look forward to speaking with you tomorrow to resolve this issue.” It sounds caring and professional at the same time.
In networking, the phrase shows genuine interest without pressure. Saying you look forward to speaking with someone tells them you value the connection. A similar warm closing works when you are looking forward to seeing someone in person, but the speaking version is the right choice when your next contact will be a call or video meeting.
Avoid it when no conversation is actually planned, or when the other person has not agreed to talk. In that case, a softer line such as “I would welcome the chance to speak with you” works better, because it invites rather than assumes.
28 Professional and Polite Alternatives
Here are 28 alternatives, grouped by tone. Each one includes its tone, its best use case, and an example sentence, so you can pick the right line in seconds.
Professional Alternatives
These are safe, polished choices for everyday business emails.
- I am eager to speak with you. Tone: professional and enthusiastic. Best for: a client or hiring manager when you want to show energy. Example: “I am eager to speak with you about the new campaign.”
- I look forward to our conversation. Tone: professional and warm. Best for: any business email. Example: “Thank you for sharing the details. I look forward to our conversation.”
- I am excited to connect with you. Tone: professional and friendly. Best for: networking and introductions. Example: “I am excited to connect with you next week.”
- I anticipate speaking with you soon. Tone: professional and slightly formal. Best for: formal business correspondence. Example: “I anticipate speaking with you soon regarding the contract.”
- I welcome the opportunity to speak with you. Tone: professional and gracious. Best for: job applications and first contact. Example: “I welcome the opportunity to speak with you about the position.”
- I look forward to discussing this with you. Tone: professional and focused. Best for: emails about a specific topic or project. Example: “I look forward to discussing this with you on Friday.”
Formal Alternatives
Use these for senior executives, official letters, and very formal situations.
- I await our conversation with great anticipation. Tone: formal and respectful. Best for: senior leaders and official correspondence. Example: “I await our conversation with great anticipation.”
- It will be a pleasure to speak with you. Tone: formal and courteous. Best for: high level clients and dignitaries. Example: “It will be a pleasure to speak with you at the conference.”
- I eagerly await the opportunity to speak with you. Tone: formal and enthusiastic. Best for: cover letters and formal requests. Example: “I eagerly await the opportunity to speak with you about this role.”
- I look forward to speaking with you at your convenience. Tone: formal and considerate. Best for: when you want to show respect for their schedule. Example: “I look forward to speaking with you at your convenience next week.”
- I am honored to have the opportunity to speak with you. Tone: very formal and humble. Best for: respected experts and senior executives. Example: “I am honored to have the opportunity to speak with you about your work.”
- I await our discussion with keen interest. Tone: formal and engaged. Best for: academic and official settings. Example: “I await our discussion with keen interest.”
Friendly Alternatives
These keep things professional but add warmth. They suit colleagues you know well and friendly clients.
- Can’t wait to chat with you. Tone: friendly and warm. Best for: colleagues and familiar clients. Example: “Can’t wait to chat with you about the launch!”
- Looking forward to catching up with you. Tone: friendly and relaxed. Best for: people you have spoken with before. Example: “Looking forward to catching up with you on Monday.”
- Excited to talk soon. Tone: friendly and upbeat. Best for: short messages and casual business chats. Example: “Thanks for the update. Excited to talk soon!”
- Can’t wait to hear from you. Tone: friendly and eager. Best for: when you are waiting for their reply or call. Example: “Send over the details when you can. Can’t wait to hear from you.”
- Looking forward to our chat. Tone: friendly and light. Best for: informal calls with known contacts. Example: “Looking forward to our chat tomorrow morning.”
Email-Ready Alternatives
These are built to drop straight into the closing lines of an email.
- I look forward to speaking with you soon. Tone: professional and classic. Best for: almost any business email. Example: “Please let me know a time that suits you. I look forward to speaking with you soon.”
- I look forward to our upcoming call. Tone: professional and specific. Best for: when a call is already scheduled. Example: “I look forward to our upcoming call on Wednesday.”
- I look forward to hearing your thoughts. Tone: professional and collaborative. Best for: when you want their input. Example: “I have shared the draft for review. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.”
- I look forward to connecting soon. Tone: professional and modern. Best for: networking emails. Example: “Thanks for connecting. I look forward to connecting soon.”
- I look forward to our conversation next week. Tone: professional and time specific. Best for: scheduled meetings. Example: “I look forward to our conversation next week about the budget.”
- Looking forward to speaking with you on Tuesday. Tone: professional and precise. Best for: confirmed appointments. Example: “The agenda is attached. Looking forward to speaking with you on Tuesday.”
Workplace Alternatives
These fit team emails, internal messages, and project communication.
- I look forward to collaborating with you. Tone: professional and team focused. Best for: new projects and partnerships. Example: “I look forward to collaborating with you on this launch.”
- Eager to discuss this further with you. Tone: professional and engaged. Best for: ongoing projects. Example: “The first draft is ready. Eager to discuss this further with you.”
- Looking forward to our meeting. Tone: professional and simple. Best for: internal meeting confirmations. Example: “Looking forward to our meeting at 10 a.m.”
- I look forward to speaking with you about this project. Tone: professional and focused. Best for: project kickoffs. Example: “I look forward to speaking with you about this project in detail.”
- I look forward to your insights during our call. Tone: professional and flattering. Best for: when you value their expertise. Example: “I look forward to your insights during our call on Thursday.”
Quick Comparison Table
| Alternative | Tone | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| I look forward to our conversation | Professional | Any business email |
| I anticipate speaking with you soon | Formal | Formal correspondence |
| It will be a pleasure to speak with you | Formal | Senior executives and clients |
| Can’t wait to chat with you | Friendly | Colleagues and familiar clients |
| I look forward to our upcoming call | Professional | Scheduled calls |
| I look forward to collaborating with you | Professional | Projects and partnerships |
| Looking forward to speaking with you on Tuesday | Professional | Confirmed appointments |
| I look forward to hearing your thoughts | Professional | Requesting feedback |
Email Examples You Can Copy and Use
Here are ready to use closings for common situations. Adjust the day, topic, and name to fit your message.
To a Client
“Thank you for considering our proposal. I look forward to our conversation next week, and I am happy to answer any questions in the meantime.”
To a Manager
“I have completed the report and attached it for your review. I look forward to discussing this with you at our next check in.”
To a Colleague
“Great work on the draft. Looking forward to catching up with you tomorrow to go over the final details.”
To a Customer
“Your request is being processed. I look forward to speaking with you soon to confirm everything is resolved to your satisfaction.”
To a Networking Contact
“It was a pleasure meeting you at the event. I am excited to connect with you and learn more about your work.”
Meeting Follow-Up
After a first meeting, a warm follow up keeps the momentum going. A simple line works well, and if you need a polite way to reopen a conversation later, you can use an other way to say I just wanted to follow up. For example: “Thank you for your time yesterday. I look forward to our conversation next week about the next steps.”
When you need to ask for a call rather than confirm one, a gentle opener works best. Instead of a direct demand, you can phrase it as a polite wonder, using an other way to say I was wondering, such as “I was wondering if you might have time for a brief call next week.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even a good phrase can go wrong when it is used carelessly. Watch out for these mistakes.
- Overusing the same line. If every email you send ends with the exact same sentence, it starts to look like a copy and paste template. Rotate through two or three alternatives to keep your messages fresh.
- Wrong tone for the reader. “Can’t wait to chat!” is fine for a friendly colleague, but it can sound too casual for a first email to a senior executive. Match your tone to the relationship and the situation.
- Assuming a conversation that is not planned. Telling someone you look forward to speaking with them implies a call is coming. If none is scheduled, use a softer invitation instead, such as “I would welcome the chance to speak with you.”
- Being too formal for the context. A phrase like “I await our conversation with great anticipation” can sound stiff in a quick internal message. Save the most formal lines for official letters and senior contacts.
- Forgetting gratitude. A closing that only looks ahead can feel abrupt. Pair your forward looking line with thanks, for example, “Thank you for your time. I look forward to speaking with you soon.” The same balance matters when you close a delicate message with an other way to say thank you for your understanding, where warmth and patience matter as much as professionalism.
- Typos and grammar slips. A polished closing loses its effect if the rest of the email has errors. Always proofread before sending, especially when writing to a new client or employer.
Related Phrases You Can Use
These related expressions cover similar moments in business communication, so you can vary your language across a whole email thread.
- I look forward to hearing from you: used when you expect a reply. Example: “Please share your feedback. I look forward to hearing from you.”
- I look forward to meeting you: used before an in person meeting. Example: “I look forward to meeting you at the office on Monday.”
- I look forward to working with you: used at the start of a project or job. Example: “I look forward to working with you on this campaign.”
- I look forward to your reply: used when you need an answer. Example: “I look forward to your reply by Friday.”
- I am pleased to speak with you: used at the start of a call. Example: “I am pleased to speak with you today.”
- It was a pleasure speaking with you: used after a call. Example: “It was a pleasure speaking with you this morning.”
- I appreciate your time: a polite thank you. Example: “I appreciate your time and your detailed answers.”
- Let me know a good time to talk: an open invitation. Example: “Let me know a good time to talk next week.”
- I would love to schedule a call: a friendly request. Example: “I would love to schedule a call to discuss the details.”
- I am available at your convenience: a flexible offer. Example: “I am available at your convenience on Thursday.”
- Please feel free to reach out: an open door. Example: “Please feel free to reach out with any questions.”
- I hope we can connect soon: a gentle hope. Example: “I hope we can connect soon to discuss this further.”
- I am looking forward to our discussion: a near synonym. Example: “I am looking forward to our discussion about the budget.”
- I await your response: formal and direct. Example: “I await your response at your earliest convenience.”
- Thank you for your time: a classic polite close. Example: “Thank you for your time today.”
- I look forward to your feedback: used when awaiting comments. Example: “The proposal is attached. I look forward to your feedback.”
When a reply is urgent, tone matters even more. A rushed demand can undo the goodwill of a polite closing, so if you need a fast answer, choose a courteous urgency phrase, such as an other way to say as soon as possible, rather than a blunt deadline.
Primary Phrase vs Alternatives: A Quick Comparison
The original phrase, “I look forward to speaking with you,” is warm, professional, and universally understood. Its strength is safety: it almost never sounds wrong. Its weakness is familiarity: readers have seen it hundreds of times.
Formal alternatives such as “It will be a pleasure to speak with you” raise the level of respect, which suits senior contacts but can feel stiff with peers. Friendly alternatives such as “Can’t wait to chat with you” add personality but should stay out of first contact emails. Specific alternatives such as “I look forward to our upcoming call” feel more personal because they reference a real plan, not a vague hope.
The best approach is to match the alternative to the moment. Use the original phrase when you want a safe, classic close. Use a specific or formal alternative when you want to stand out or show extra respect. Use a friendly version only when the relationship already allows it.
Cultural Usage: US, UK, and Corporate Communication
In US business English, “I look forward to speaking with you” is standard and widely used. Americans also use friendly variants such as “Looking forward to chatting” in less formal workplaces, especially in tech and startups.
In UK business English, the phrase is equally common, though British writers often prefer slightly more reserved forms, such as “I look forward to speaking with you in due course” or “I hope we can speak soon.” Very casual American forms like “Can’t wait to chat!” are less common in formal British correspondence.
In corporate communication, the phrase is a safe default across industries, from finance to healthcare to customer service. In customer service, it pairs well with reassurance: “I look forward to speaking with you tomorrow to resolve this.” In networking, it signals openness without pressure.
One small cultural note: in many workplaces, ending an email with a warm wish for the day is also common. If you want to close with a friendly greeting instead, you can borrow an other way to say good day to vary your sign off. The key in every culture is the same: be sincere, be specific when you can, and match the formality of your reader.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “I look forward to speaking with you” grammatically correct?
Yes. It is a complete, grammatically correct sentence. “Look forward to” is followed by a gerund, and “speaking” is the correct form here.
Can I use this phrase in a cover letter?
Yes. It is a strong cover letter closing. For example: “Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to speaking with you about how I can contribute to your team.”
What is a more formal alternative?
“It will be a pleasure to speak with you” and “I eagerly await the opportunity to speak with you” are both more formal and suit senior readers.
What is a casual alternative for colleagues?
“Can’t wait to chat with you” and “Looking forward to catching up with you” are warm, casual options for people you know well.
Should I use an exclamation mark with this phrase?
Usually no. In formal emails, a period keeps the tone professional. An exclamation mark is fine in friendly messages to known colleagues, but use it sparingly.
Is “I look forward to speaking with you soon” better than the original?
Adding “soon” makes the timing feel closer and more eager. Both are correct; choose “soon” when the call is expected in the near future.
Can I say “I am looking forward to speaking with you” instead?
Yes. The continuous form is equally correct and sounds slightly more conversational. Both versions are widely accepted in business English.
How do I end an email if no call is planned?
Use an invitation rather than an assumption, such as “I would welcome the chance to speak with you” or “Please let me know if a call would be helpful.”
Is it okay to use this phrase with a client I have never met?
Yes, as long as a conversation is genuinely expected or invited. It is polite, professional, and widely used in first contact emails.
What should I avoid when using this phrase?
Avoid repeating it in every email, using a casual version with senior contacts, and assuming a meeting that has not been agreed. Match the tone to the reader and vary your closings.
Final Summary
The best professional pick is “I look forward to our conversation,” because it works in almost any business email. The best formal pick is “It will be a pleasure to speak with you,” which shows extra respect for senior contacts. The best casual pick for colleagues you know well is “Can’t wait to chat with you.” The best email pick, ready to paste into any closing, is “I look forward to speaking with you soon.”
Small wording choices make a real difference in how your message is received. A specific, well matched closing shows that you thought about the reader, not just the template. For a deeper look at how this phrase works, see the Cambridge Dictionary entry for look forward to something, which explains the meaning and usage with examples. Pick one alternative from this list for your next email, and notice how much more personal your message feels.
