Compare an action with a belief about the future.
The idea
Wait means stay or spend time until something happens; use wait for before a person or thing. Expect means think something will happen.
| Verb | Focus |
|---|---|
| wait | spend time until something happens |
| expect | think something will happen |
Examples
- Please wait for the bus by the gate.
- We wait here until the rain stops.
- The child is waiting for a friend outside.
- I expect the parcel tomorrow.
- They expect the meeting to end at noon.
- We expect rain this evening.
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Watch out
Do not say expect for the bus when you mean staying until it arrives: say wait for the bus.
Try it yourself
Choose the correct word. We will ___ at the station until the train arrives. (wait / expect)
Show answer or example answer
wait
wait: staying at the station takes time.
Choose the correct word. The forecast says it will rain tomorrow. We ___ rain. (wait / expect)
Show answer or example answer
expect
expect: the forecast is a belief about tomorrow.
Choose the correct word. Please ___ for the doctor to arrive. (wait / expect)
Show answer or example answer
wait
wait: the person remains until the doctor arrives.
Practice round
Answer questions and rebuild English sentences to practise. Your score is shown.
Choose the correct word. We will ___ at the station until the train arrives. (wait / expect)
Choose the correct word. The forecast says it will rain tomorrow. We ___ rain. (wait / expect)
Choose the correct word. Please ___ for the doctor to arrive. (wait / expect)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Describe something you wait for and something you expect tomorrow.