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"Expect" is to anticipate something mentally; "wait" is to remain somewhere until something happens.
Side-by-side comparison
"Expect" means to anticipate or have the expectation that something will happen. It does not imply being stationary; you can expect something while going about your life.
I expect the meeting will finish by three o'clock.
She expected him to call, but he never did.
Do not expect me to agree with everything you say.
"Wait" means to stay in a place or state until something happens. It does imply being stationary: "Wait here" = stay here without moving.
She waited for two hours at the airport before his flight landed.
Wait here. I will be right back.
How long have you been waiting?
Common mistake
"I am waiting you here" is wrong: "wait" needs "for" ("I am waiting for you here"). "Expect" = to anticipate mentally. "Wait for" = to remain somewhere physically.
Trick to remember it
- •"Expect" = your mind anticipates something.
- •"Wait (for)" = your body remains somewhere.
- •"Expect" + subject + infinitive ("I expect it to rain").
- •"Wait" + "for" + noun ("wait for the bus").
Quick rule
- •"Expect" = to anticipate mentally.
- •"Wait (for)" = to remain somewhere physically.
Did you know?
"Hope", "expect" and "wait for" look similar but describe three different things. "Hope" = wishing it will happen ("I hope she calls"). "Expect" = predicting it will happen ("I expect she will call"). "Wait for" = staying put until it happens ("I am waiting for her call"). Notice that "wait" needs "for" before an object, while "expect" does not.
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
I'm _____ ing for the bus. It should be here in five minutes.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
I'm _____ a package from the shop. It should arrive tomorrow.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Related word pairs
One desires something possible, the other desires something impossible or contrary to reality.
'Yet' (negative/question) and 'already' (affirmative) express whether something has happened; 'still' expresses continuation.
"Above" is at a higher level without contact; "over" implies covering, movement, or crossing.
'Currently' means 'at the present time'; 'actually' means 'in reality', not 'nowadays'.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy