look forward to going/ go

[optimistic pessimist]

Dear all,
Could you look at the sentences below?

1. I'm looking forward to going to New York this winter.
2. I'm looking forward to go to New York this winter.

I know #1 is grammatically correct because to in this case is a preposition, which is normally followed by a noun/ nouns.

However, is this rule strictly observed? I sometimes see a sentenhce like #2, in which to is followed by an infinitive.

Thank you

OP

[Raymott]

Dear all,
Could you look at the sentences below?

1. I'm looking forward to going to New York this winter.
2. I'm looking forward to go to New York this winter.

I know #1 is grammatically correct because to in this case is a preposition, which is normally followed by a noun/ nouns.
But "going" isn't a noun or preposition, so how does this make 1. correct?
1. is correct but not for the reason you've given.
2. is not right.

However, is this rule strictly observed? I sometimes see a sentenhce like #2, in which to is followed by an infinitive.
An English verb infinitive comes with "to" - 'to go', 'to speak'. The form without the "to" is called the 'bare infinitive', a term you can use when you need to differentiate it from the full infinitive.

Thank you

OP

The following simple sentences all use the full infinitive with "to"
I like to swim.
I want to speak.
I'm going to sleep.

[mansnair]

Hi,

The second version is grammatically incorrect