Wait means to let time pass until something happens or someone arrives: wait for a bus. Expect means to believe or count on something happening: expect a call, expect rain. Ask yourself whether you are spending time waiting or simply think the event will happen.
wait or expect — can you pick the right one?
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wait for + noun; wait for + person + to + verb; expect + noun; expect + to + verb; expect (that) + clause; await + noun (formal)
- We waited for the ferry in a small café by the harbour.
- I didn't expect the exam to be so easy after all that revision.
- We're expecting a delivery today, so someone has to stay at home.
What changed
First versionWe're waiting a lot of guests this weekend, so I'm cooking tonight.
RevisionWe're expecting a lot of guests this weekend, so I'm cooking tonight.
Here you know the guests are coming and you are getting ready for them. That is expect. Wait describes the waiting itself: you sit by the door and spend time until someone turns up. On top of that, wait needs for before the person you are waiting for, so waiting a lot of guests is wrong twice over.
There is also await, a formal version of wait for that takes no preposition. You find it in official letters and the news: We are awaiting your reply. In conversation We're waiting for your reply sounds more natural. And when you can hardly wait for something pleasant, use a different expression: I'm looking forward to the holidays.
Your turn
Take an umbrella: the forecast says we should ___ heavy rain this afternoon.
Show the answer
expect — The forecast says rain is likely. That is a prediction about a future event, so the answer is expect. Wait for would mean we are deliberately sitting and waiting for the rain, while the advice to take an umbrella points to something else.
Think of a time you were waiting for something important: a reply, a parcel, results. Use expect to say when it was supposed to arrive, and wait for to describe how you waited.
I was expecting my visa on Monday, but it only arrived on Friday, so I spent the whole week waiting for the courier.
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