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B1At the Restaurant

Looking Forward to Dining Out

Phrasal Verb: look forward to |Grammar: Gerunds after Prepositions

Objective

Students will learn how to use 'look forward to' followed by gerunds to express anticipation in restaurant situations.

Article

When you plan to eat at a restaurant, you often look forward to enjoying a delicious meal. Looking forward to means you feel happy and excited about something that will happen soon. At a restaurant, you might look forward to trying new dishes or spending time with friends while eating. For example, many people look forward to tasting the chef's special or ordering their favourite dessert. It is common to use 'look forward to' followed by a gerund, which is a verb ending in -ing, like "looking forward to eating". This helps to talk about actions we expect with pleasure. So, when you say, "I look forward to visiting this restaurant," it means you are excited about going there. Next time you eat out, practice using this phrase to share your excitement about the meal or the experience. Looking forward to eating a special dish can make the whole restaurant visit even more enjoyable.

Grammar Explanation

Meaning

'Look forward to' means to feel excited or happy about something that is going to happen.

Grammar Note

After 'look forward to', we use a gerund (verb+ing) because 'to' is a preposition here, not part of an infinitive.

Usage Tips

  • Always use a gerund (verb+ing) after 'look forward to', e.g. 'looking forward to eating'.
  • Use 'look forward to' to express positive anticipation about future events.
  • Remember 'to' in 'look forward to' is a preposition, not part of the verb infinitive.

Examples

I look forward to trying the new menu tonight.

Excited about tasting food

She is looking forward to meeting the chef at the restaurant.

Happy to meet someone

They look forward to enjoying a quiet dinner together.

Anticipating a pleasant meal

We are looking forward to celebrating our anniversary here.

Excited about a special event

He looks forward to ordering his favourite dessert.

Happy about a future choice

Dialogue

Context: Two friends at a restaurant talking about their plans.

A:
I really look forward to tasting the seafood pasta here.
B:
Me too! I’m looking forward to trying the new chef’s salad.
A:
It’s nice looking forward to a special meal after a long week.
B:
Absolutely. I also look forward to enjoying the dessert.
A:
Let’s order quickly so we can start eating soon.
B:
Good idea! I’m looking forward to relaxing here tonight.

Vocabulary

anticipation
The feeling of looking forward to something
Example: Her anticipation of the meal made her very happy.
Synonym: expectation
delicious
Very tasty or enjoyable to eat
Example: The restaurant served a delicious dessert.
Synonym: tasty
special
Unusual or better than normal
Example: We ordered the special of the day.
Synonym: unique
dessert
Sweet food eaten after the main meal
Example: I can’t wait to eat the chocolate dessert.
Synonym: sweet dish
menu
A list of food and drinks offered at a restaurant
Example: The menu has many vegetarian options.
Synonym: list
chef
A professional cook in a restaurant
Example: The chef prepares all the meals carefully.
Synonym: cook
order
To ask for food or drinks at a restaurant
Example: We decided to order the pasta and salad.
Synonym: request
relaxing
Calm and stress-free
Example: Eating here is always relaxing.
Synonym: calming
visit
To go to a place for a short time
Example: We visit this restaurant every month.
Synonym: go to
experience
An event or activity that you live through
Example: Dining here is a wonderful experience.
Synonym: encounter

Tips

  • Remember 'look forward to' always requires a gerund after it.
  • Use this phrase to show positive feelings about future events at a restaurant.
  • Do not confuse 'to' in 'look forward to' with the infinitive 'to'; always follow with -ing form.

Summary

In this lesson, you learned how to use the phrasal verb 'look forward to' with gerunds to express excitement about future events, especially in restaurant settings. You practised recognising and using gerunds after prepositions and expanded your vocabulary related to dining out.

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