I'm looking forward to hearing from you vs I look forward...

[Torsten]

Hi, what exactly is the difference between

"I'm looking forward to hearing from you."

and

"I look forward to hearing from you."

Is it a question of formality with the simple present version being more formal than the continuous one?

Thanks in advance,
T
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Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Yankee]

.
That's the main difference for me, Torsten.

"I'm looking forward to hearing from you." sounds a little warmer (friendlier).

"I look forward to hearing from you." sounds a little cooler (more formal).

Amy
_________________
Amy
.
ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English

[Torsten]

Hi Amy,

Thanks for your quick response. It's interesting to see that in most business letters you probably will find I look forward to hearing from you, mabye that's because the phrase is regarded as a standard close?
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Yankee]

Hi Torsten

I think they'd both be considered "standard" and the main difference would be the relationship between the letter-writer and the recipient. It may also depend somewhat on the company culture.

I think you'd tend to see the continuous form more often when the reference is to a future meeting:
"I'm looking forward to seeing you."
"I'm looking forward to meeting you."

Because there will be future face-to-face contact, it's a more personal situation and a friendlier tone seems more appropriate to me.

Amy
_________________
Amy
.
ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English