Expectations and hopes in English

The idea

Use expect for what you believe will probably happen and hope for what you want to happen.

Examples

• The forecast says rain, so Mia expects a wet afternoon.
• I hope the rain stops before our picnic.
• The mechanic expects the repair to take two hours.
• Omar hopes to visit his grandmother this weekend.
• We expect the train at six, according to the timetable.
• Lena hopes her team wins, but expects a difficult match.

Watch out

Do not use expect just to express a wish: it suggests a prediction, even if the outcome is unwelcome.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the correct word. The schedule says the parcel will arrive tomorrow, so I ___ it tomorrow. (expect / hope)

   Show answer or example answer

   expect

   expect: The schedule gives a reason to predict arrival.

2. Choose the correct word. We want sunny weather for the trip, so we ___ it will be sunny. (expect / hope)

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   hope

   hope: Sunny weather is what the travellers want.

3. Choose the correct word. The shop is usually busy on Saturdays, so they ___ a crowd. (expect / hope)

   Show answer or example answer

   expect

   expect: The usual Saturday pattern supports a prediction.

Use it today

Describe what you expect tomorrow and what you hope will happen.