How to use the phrasal verb "look forward to" in Present Simple?

Question

How to use the phrasal verb "look forward to" in Present Simple? In Present Continuous I know that I can say:

I am looking forward to improving my English but what about the Present Simple?

How will it be? I look forward to improving my English or I look forward to improve my English ?

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

BoSsSywhat about the Present Simple? How will it be? I look forward to improving my English or I look forward to improve my English ?

I look forward to improving my English.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

BoSsSyI look forward to improving my English

The phrasal verb has a verb + preposition. The object must be a noun. A bare infinitive is not a noun!

A present participle can make a clause that can be used as a noun. Also the to-infinitive can make such a clause:

[Being with you] is a joy.  / [To be with you] is a joy.
I love [being with you.] / I love [to be with you.]

Let's next look at the phrasal verb. This is a good sentence:

I look forward to [improving my English.]

The to-infinitive is wrong because you have to have one "to" for the phrasal verb, and a second "to" for the infinitive clause.

X I look forward to [to improve my English.]

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