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Belladana78 Posted 15 years ago
Vocabulary

To see/to seeing

I have found in a book the next sentence: I am looking forward to seeing you.

I am asking you the same question I have put myself too. Why we don't say: I am looking forward to see you?

What is the difference?

Thanks...
  

Top answer

Hello, belladana - and welcome to English Forums. 'To look forward to doing' is a fixed verb phrase. 'To' is a preposition, not the infinitive particle, and 'doing' is an -ing verb form functioning as a noun.

— Mister Micawber

  • Hello, belladana - and welcome to English Forums.
  • 'To look forward to doing' is a fixed verb phrase.
  • 'To' is a preposition, not the infinitive particle, and 'doing' is an -ing verb form functioning as a noun.
  • Compare: I am looking forward to seeing you.
  • I am looking forward to Christmas .
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1 Answers
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Hello, belladana - and welcome to English Forums.

'To look forward to doing' is a fixed verb phrase. 'To' is a preposition, not the infinitive particle, and 'doing' is an -ing verb form functioning as a noun. Compare:

I am looking forward to seeing you.

I am looking forward to Christmas.

'Seeing you' and 'Christmas' are both noun objects of the p
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