expect
v.-
1 to predict or believe (v.) A2 Elementaryto think that something will happen in the future.
to anticipate or predict the occurrence of a future event based on probability or evidence.
ExampleWe expect the weather to be sunny for our picnic tomorrow.
ExampleEconomists expect the inflation rate to stabilise by the third quarter, provided that global supply chains remain uninterrupted.
UsageOften followed by an object and a to-infinitive.
PitfallI am expecting that he arrives soon.I expect him to arrive soon.While 'expect that' is possible, 'expect [someone] to [do something]' is the more common and natural pattern for personal expectations.
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2 to require or demand (v.) B1 Intermediateto feel that someone should do something because it is their duty or a rule.
to consider something as obligatory or required by social, professional, or moral standards.
ExampleThe teacher expects all students to arrive on time for the exam.
ExampleThe board of directors expects full transparency from the executive team regarding the recent budget discrepancies.
UsageCommonly used in professional or formal contexts to outline duties.
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3 to be pregnant (v.) B1 Intermediateto be pregnant and waiting for a baby to be born.
to be pregnant; used in the progressive form to indicate a child is due.
ExampleThey are expecting their first child in early September.
ExampleThe couple announced they were expecting twins, much to the delight of their extended family.
UsageAlmost always used in the continuous form ('is expecting').
Teacher's tipThis is a polite, slightly softer way to say someone is pregnant.
- be pregnant
From Latin expectāre, infinitive form of exspectō (“look out for, await, expect”), from ex (“out”) + spectō (“look at”), frequentative of speciō (“see”).
- Verbexpect
- Verbexpecting
- Adjectiveexpected
- Adjectiveunexpected