In professional and personal communication, the phrase “Looking forward to hearing from you” is widely used to close emails or messages politely.
It expresses anticipation for a reply while maintaining a friendly or professional tone. However, relying on the same phrase repeatedly can make your writing sound repetitive or formulaic.
Using alternatives allows you to convey the same idea with different levels of formality, warmth, or emphasis.
The right phrase can improve your tone, help you sound more natural, and leave a positive impression on the reader.
In this article, you’ll discover 22+ ways to say “looking forward to hearing from you”, with explanations, examples, and guidance for both formal and informal contexts.
What Does “Looking Forward to Hearing From You” Mean?
Definition: The phrase “looking forward to hearing from you” expresses anticipation for someone’s response. It is a polite and positive way to indicate you expect communication in the future.
- Grammar Note:
- “Looking forward to” is a phrasal verb meaning to await something with excitement or interest.
- “Hearing from you” is a gerund phrase acting as the object of the verb.
- Function: It closes messages politely, shows respect, and maintains professionalism.
When to Use “Looking Forward to Hearing From You”
This phrase is versatile and can be used in multiple contexts:
- Formal contexts: Job applications, business proposals, or professional correspondence.
- Informal contexts: Messages to friends, colleagues, or acquaintances.
- Written use: Emails, letters, or text messages.
- Spoken use: Phone calls or video meetings to conclude a conversation politely.
Is It Professional or Polite?
Yes, it is both professional and polite, making it one of the most common email closings in business communication.
- Suitable for business emails, cover letters, and client correspondence.
- Works well in personal communication when maintaining a polite tone.
- Avoid overusing it; mixing it with alternatives can make your writing more engaging.
Pros and Cons of Using “Looking Forward to Hearing From You”
Pros:
- Polite and professional.
- Universally understood.
- Works in formal and semi-formal contexts.
Cons:
- Can sound repetitive if overused.
- Slightly formal; may feel stiff in casual chats.
- Limited emotional nuance compared to alternatives.
12 Alternative Phrases to “Looking Forward to Hearing From You”
Here are twelve versatile alternatives to express the same idea with nuance and tone:
1. Eager to Receive Your Response
- Meaning: Shows anticipation and interest.
- Explanation: Slightly formal, emphasizes keenness to hear back.
- Example Sentence: “I am eager to receive your response regarding the proposal.”
- Best Use: Formal, Business
- Worst Use: Casual texts
- Tone: Formal / Neutral
2. Can’t Wait to Hear From You
- Meaning: Expresses excitement and impatience for a reply.
- Explanation: Informal and friendly, conveys enthusiasm.
- Example Sentence: “Can’t wait to hear from you about the event details!”
- Best Use: Informal, Casual
- Worst Use: Formal emails
- Tone: Friendly / Emphatic
3. Awaiting Your Reply
- Meaning: Polite and neutral, indicates expectation.
- Explanation: Simple, formal, and commonly used in professional correspondence.
- Example Sentence: “I am awaiting your reply to finalize the meeting schedule.”
- Best Use: Formal, Business
- Worst Use: Texts to friends
- Tone: Formal / Neutral
4. I Look Forward to Your Response
- Meaning: Standard formal alternative to the original phrase.
- Explanation: Slightly more formal than “hearing from you,” suitable for professional emails.
- Example Sentence: “I look forward to your response regarding the job application.”
- Best Use: Formal, Business
- Worst Use: Casual chats
- Tone: Formal / Neutral
5. Anticipating Your Response
- Meaning: Shows expectation in a polite and slightly formal way.
- Explanation: Commonly used in business and formal letters.
- Example Sentence: “Anticipating your response to the contract draft.”
- Best Use: Formal, Business
- Worst Use: Informal texting
- Tone: Formal / Neutral
6. Hoping to Hear From You Soon
- Meaning: Polite, expresses desire for a timely reply.
- Explanation: Slightly softer and warmer than formal alternatives.
- Example Sentence: “Hoping to hear from you soon about your availability.”
- Best Use: Semi-formal, Personal
- Worst Use: Overly casual chats
- Tone: Friendly / Neutral
7. Looking Forward to Your Feedback
- Meaning: Requests evaluation or opinion politely.
- Explanation: Ideal for professional and academic correspondence.
- Example Sentence: “I am looking forward to your feedback on the report.”
- Best Use: Business, Formal
- Worst Use: Casual texts
- Tone: Formal / Neutral
8. Excited to Hear Your Thoughts
- Meaning: Expresses enthusiasm for someone’s input.
- Explanation: Friendly, casual, and engaging tone.
- Example Sentence: “Excited to hear your thoughts on the new project ideas!”
- Best Use: Informal, Casual
- Worst Use: Formal emails
- Tone: Friendly / Emphatic
9. I Am Looking Forward to Your Reply
- Meaning: Polite, formal, and professional alternative.
- Explanation: Suitable for business correspondence and professional messages.
- Example Sentence: “I am looking forward to your reply regarding the partnership proposal.”
- Best Use: Formal, Business
- Worst Use: Informal texts
- Tone: Formal / Neutral
10. I Would Appreciate Your Response
- Meaning: Polite, expresses gratitude in advance.
- Explanation: Adds a respectful tone to your request.
- Example Sentence: “I would appreciate your response on the updated schedule.”
- Best Use: Formal, Business
- Worst Use: Casual messages
- Tone: Formal / Polite
11. Your Prompt Response Would Be Appreciated
- Meaning: Politely asks for a quick reply.
- Explanation: Formal and slightly urgent, commonly used in business emails.
- Example Sentence: “Your prompt response would be appreciated so we can proceed with the project.”
- Best Use: Formal, Business
- Worst Use: Informal texting
- Tone: Formal / Neutral
12. Looking Forward to Connecting With You
- Meaning: Polite and slightly personal alternative.
- Explanation: Works well for networking emails and semi-formal messages.
- Example Sentence: “Looking forward to connecting with you at the upcoming conference.”
- Best Use: Semi-formal, Business
- Worst Use: Very casual chats
- Tone: Friendly / Neutral
Comparison Table of Top 7 Alternatives
| Phrase | Tone | Best Use | Worst Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| I Look Forward to Your Response | Formal | Business, Professional | Casual texts |
| Awaiting Your Reply | Formal | Business, Academic | Informal chats |
| Can’t Wait to Hear From You | Friendly | Informal, Personal | Formal emails |
| Excited to Hear Your Thoughts | Friendly | Casual, Personal | Formal letters |
| I Would Appreciate Your Response | Polite | Formal, Business | Texting friends |
| Hoping to Hear From You Soon | Friendly | Semi-formal, Personal | Very casual |
| Looking Forward to Connecting With You | Neutral | Networking, Semi-formal | Casual texting |
FAQs
Q1: Can I use these phrases in professional emails?
A: Yes. Formal alternatives like “I look forward to your response” or “Awaiting your reply” are suitable for business emails.
Q2: Which phrases are best for casual communication?
A: Friendly options like “Can’t wait to hear from you” or “Excited to hear your thoughts” work well for friends or colleagues.
Q3: Are some phrases too formal for casual messages?
A: Yes. Phrases like “Your prompt response would be appreciated” may feel stiff in personal texts.
Q4: Can these phrases be used in letters?
A: Absolutely. Formal and semi-formal alternatives fit letters, business correspondence, and networking emails.
Q5: Is it okay to mix phrases in different messages?
A: Yes. Using alternatives prevents repetition and makes your communication sound more natural and engaging.
Conclusion
Choosing the right way to say “looking forward to hearing from you” can make your communication clearer, polite, and more professional.
While the original phrase works in most contexts, using alternatives helps you adjust tone, convey warmth, and keep your writing fresh.
Experiment with both formal and informal expressions to sound confident, fluent, and natural in emails, messages, and letters.
The right choice will leave a positive impression and strengthen connections in both personal and professional communication.
David Jonson is an experienced English language writer who specializes in clear, practical, and learner-friendly content. He helps students and professionals improve their communication skills with confidence.