expect

expect — verb

1. to believe that a particular event will take place in the future, or that someon

1.verbtransitiveA2
Definition

to believe that a particular event will take place in the future, or that someone is going to arrive at a certain time.

Example

Zuri expects the package to arrive before Friday.

expect + object + to-infinitive

Feng never expected to see his childhood friend at the conference.

expect + to-infinitive

Common collocations
  • fully expect
  • expect + to-infinitive
  • expect + object + to-infinitive
  • expect + that-clause
  • expect much / little / nothing
Synonyms
  • anticipate

    slightly more formal, often suggests looking forward with interest or preparation

  • predict

    stronger emphasis on forecasting based on evidence or analysis, often for specific outcomes

  • foresee

    suggests seeing ahead based on knowledge or intuition, slightly more formal

Antonyms
  • doubt

    to think something is unlikely to happen

Grammar Patterns

expect + noun phrase

expect + to-infinitive

expect + object + to-infinitive

expect + that-clause

Usage Note

Commonly takes an object followed by a to-infinitive (expect someone to do something). The that-clause form is more formal and common in writing.

Common Mistakes

I expect you come to the party.
I expect you to come to the party.
After 'expect', use a to-infinitive, not a bare verb.
I expect it will rains tomorrow.
I expect it will rain tomorrow.
The verb in a that-clause after 'expect' stays in base form for future reference.

2. to be the usual, normal, or likely situation, often because experience has shown

2.verbtransitive / intransitiveB1
Definition

to be the usual, normal, or likely situation, often because experience has shown it happens that way.

Example

As expected, the store was closed when we arrived after eight.

as expected (fixed phrase)

A certain amount of nervousness is to be expected before a job interview.

is to be expected (fixed expression)

Common collocations
  • as expected
  • to be expected
  • it is expected that
  • be expected + of + noun
Synonyms
  • normal

    direct adjective describing the usual state, less about anticipation

  • predictable

    carries a stronger implication that the outcome could have been known in advance

Antonyms
  • unexpected

    describes something that is not normal or surprising

  • surprising

    opposite of predictable or normal

Grammar Patterns

something + be + expected

it + be + expected + that-clause

as + expected

to be expected

Usage Note

Frequently appears in passive constructions (be expected) or fixed phrases (as expected, to be expected). The subject is usually an event, situation, or behaviour — not a person.

Common Mistakes

A small fee expects.
A small fee is expected.
This sense uses the passive voice; the thing that is normal does not 'expect' actively.

3. to feel that someone has a duty to behave in a certain way, or to believe that a

3.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to feel that someone has a duty to behave in a certain way, or to believe that a particular standard or action is necessary as a matter of responsibility.

Example

The school expects parents to attend three meetings each term.

expect + object + to-infinitive (duty)

Her manager expects her to finish the report by noon tomorrow.

Common collocations
  • expect + object + to-infinitive
  • expect something + from/of + someone
  • expect complete / full / total + noun
Synonyms
  • require

    stronger, more formal — suggests a rule or policy rather than a personal belief

  • demand

    stronger, more forceful — suggests the speaker has authority to enforce compliance

  • count on

    less formal, focuses on relying on someone rather than requiring

Antonyms
  • allow

    to permit rather than require a certain behaviour

Grammar Patterns

expect + object + to-infinitive

expect + that-clause

be expected + of + noun

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 1 (ANTICIPATE): sense 3 carries a sense of duty or requirement — the person being expected to do something has an obligation, not just a predicted action. Subject is often an authority figure or institution.

Common Mistakes

The teacher expects from the students silence.
The teacher expects silence from the students.
The object of 'expect' comes directly after the verb; 'from' introduces the source of the expected behaviour.

4. to be in the state of carrying a developing baby inside the body — used only in

4.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to be in the state of carrying a developing baby inside the body — used only in the progressive form (is expecting).

Example

Dylan's sister is expecting her first baby in March.

is expecting + a baby (progressive required)

The couple announced that they are expecting twins.

Common collocations
  • be expecting
  • expecting a baby / a child / twins
  • expecting + first / second / third + child
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

be + expecting + a baby / a child / twins

be + expecting

Usage Note

This sense is only used in the progressive form (be expecting). You cannot say 'She expects a baby' — it must be 'She is expecting a baby.' Common with a baby/child/twins as object, or used alone (be expecting) to mean 'be pregnant.'

Common Mistakes

She expects a baby in June.
She is expecting a baby in June.
This sense requires the progressive form (be + expecting).
He is expecting a baby.
Natural if he is the father, but more commonly used for the mother. For fathers, 'his wife/partner is expecting' is clearer.
Idioms

be expecting (a baby/child)

idiom

A woman is pregnant and will have a baby.

Sara is expecting her first child in March.

Did you hear that Maya is expecting a baby?

be (only) to be expected

idiom

Something is normal or likely in a particular situation.

Some nervousness before a job interview is to be expected.

A few mistakes are only to be expected when you learn a new skill.

what (else) do you expect?

idiom

Used to say that a situation is not surprising.

He arrived late again. What do you expect from someone who never sets an alarm?

The food was cold, but what else do you expect at a buffet?

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four verbs describe beliefs about the future, but they differ in strength and usage. 'Expect' is the most general and common word: it simply means you believe something will happen (I expect the train to arrive soon). 'Anticipate' is slightly more formal and often implies that you have prepared for or are looking forward to the event (The team is anticipating a large turnout for the concert). 'Predict' is stronger — it suggests a specific claim based on evidence or analysis (Economists predict a rise in interest rates next quarter). 'Foresee' means to see something ahead of time, often through intuition or knowledge (Few people foresaw the company's sudden collapse). In everyday conversation, 'expect' is the safest choice; 'anticipate' and 'foresee' suit more formal or reflective situations, while 'predict' is at home in scientific or factual contexts.

expect ↗anticipate ↗predict ↗foresee ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • expect a baby / child / twins
  • expect a result
  • expect an answer
  • expect a change
  • expect an improvement

Adverbs

  • fully expect
  • half expect
  • reasonably expect
  • rightly expect
  • hardly expect

Phrases

  • as expected
  • to be expected
  • expect the worst
  • expect too much / too little
  • expect great things from

Prepositions

  • expect of
  • expect from

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

'Expect' entered English in the mid-1500s from Latin 'expectare' (or 'exspectare'), meaning 'to look out for, await, look forward to.' The Latin word breaks down into 'ex-' (out) and 'spectare' (to look, to watch), which also gave English 'spectacle,' 'inspect,' and 'respect.' Originally the word carried a stronger sense of waiting or looking out for something, which survives today in the phrase 'expecting a baby' (sense 4) and in the idea of being mentally prepared for something to come.