wait vs expect

Wait is the physical act of staying in one place or letting time pass; expect is the mental belief that something will happen.

• wait

  Staying in place until something happens.

  We had to wait for two hours because the flight was delayed.

• expect

  Believing that an event is likely.

  The meteorologists expect heavy rain to start later this evening.

• Wrong: I am expecting for the bus at the corner.→Right: I am waiting for the bus at the corner.

• Wrong: We are waiting a phone call from the manager tomorrow.→Right: We are expecting a phone call from the manager tomorrow.

Wait is for the clock; expect is for the mind.