expect

ex·pect

E0283200 (ĭk-spĕkt′)v. ex·pect·ed, ex·pect·ing, ex·pects v.tr.1. a. To look forward to the probable occurrence or appearance of: expecting a phone call; expects rain on Sunday.b. To consider likely or certain: expect to see them soon. See Usage Note at anticipate.2. To consider reasonable or due: We expect an apology.3. To consider obligatory; require: The school expects its pupils to be on time.4. Informal To presume; suppose.v.intr. To be pregnant. Used in progressive tenses: My wife is expecting again.

[Latin exspectāre : ex-, ex- + spectāre, to look at, frequentative of specere, to see; see spek- in Indo-European roots.]

ex·pect′a·ble adj.ex·pect′a·bly adv.ex·pect′ed·ly adv.ex·pect′ed·ness n.Synonyms: expect, anticipate, hope, await
These verbs relate to the idea of looking ahead to something in the future. To expect is to look forward to the likely occurrence or appearance of someone or something: "We should not expect something for nothing—but we all do and call it Hope" (Edgar W. Howe).
Anticipate sometimes refers to taking advance action, as to forestall or prevent the occurrence of something expected or to meet a wish or request before it is articulated: anticipated the storm and locked the shutters. The term can also refer to having a foretaste of something expected: The police are anticipating trouble with rowdy fans after the game. To hope is to look forward with desire and usually with a measure of confidence in the likelihood of gaining what is desired: I hope to see you soon. To await is to wait expectantly and with certainty: She is eagerly awaiting your letter.

expect

(ɪkˈspɛkt) vb (tr; may take a clause as object or an infinitive) 1. to regard as probable or likely; anticipate: he expects to win. 2. to look forward to or be waiting for: we expect good news today. 3. to decide that (something) is requisite or necessary; require: the boss expects us to work late today. [C16: from Latin exspectāre to watch for, from spectāre to look at] exˈpectable adj exˈpectably adv

ex•pect

(ɪkˈspɛkt)

v.t. 1. to anticipate the occurrence or the coming of: to expect guests. 2. to consider as reasonable, due, or justified: We expect obedience. 3. Informal. to suppose; surmise: I expect you want to rest now. 4. to anticipate the birth of (one's child). Idioms: be expecting, to be pregnant. [1550–60; < Latin ex(s)pectāre to look out for, await =ex- ex-¹ + spectāre to look at, frequentative of specere] ex•pect′a•ble, adj. ex•pect′a•bly, adv. ex•pect′ed•ly, adv. ex•pect′ed•ness, n. ex•pect′er, n. ex•pect′ing•ly, adv.

expect

1. 'expect'

If you expect that something will happen, you believe that it will happen.

I expect you'll be glad when I leave.They expect that about 1,500 people will attend.

You can sometimes use a to-infinitive after expect instead of a that-clause. For example, instead of saying 'I expect Johnson will come to the meeting', you can say 'I expect Johnson to come to the meeting'. However, the meaning is not quite the same. If you say 'I expect Johnson will come to the meeting', you are simply saying that you think he will come. If you say 'I expect Johnson to come to the meeting', you are showing that you want Johnson to come to the meeting and that you will be annoyed or disappointed if he does not come.

Nobody expected the strike to succeed.The talks are expected to last two or three days.

Instead of saying you 'expect something will not' happen, you usually say you do not expect it will happen or do not expect it to happen.

I don't expect it will be necessary.I did not expect to be acknowledged.

If you expect something is true, you think it is probably true.

I expect they've gone.

Instead of saying you 'expect something is not' true, you usually say you do not expect it is true.

I don't expect you have much time for shopping.

If someone asks if something is true, you can say I expect so.

'Will Joe be here at Christmas?' 'I expect so.'

Be Careful!
Don't say 'I expect it'.

If you are expecting someone or something, you believe that they are going to arrive or happen.

They were expecting Wendy and the children.Rodin was expecting an important letter from France.We are expecting rain.

When expect is used like this, don't use a preposition after it.

2. 'wait for'

Don't confuse expect with wait for. If you are waiting for someone or something, you are remaining in the same place or delaying doing something until they arrive or happen.

He sat on the bench and waited for Miguel.Stop waiting for things to happen. Make them happen.See wait3. 'look forward to'

When you look forward to something that is going to happen, you feel happy because you think you will enjoy it.

I'll bet you're looking forward to your holidays.I always looked forward to seeing her.See look forward to

expect

Past participle: expected
Gerund: expecting

Imperative
expect
expect

Present
I expect
you expect
he/she/it expects
we expect
you expect
they expect

Preterite
I expected
you expected
he/she/it expected
we expected
you expected
they expected

Present Continuous
I am expecting
you are expecting
he/she/it is expecting
we are expecting
you are expecting
they are expecting

Present Perfect
I have expected
you have expected
he/she/it has expected
we have expected
you have expected
they have expected

Past Continuous
I was expecting
you were expecting
he/she/it was expecting
we were expecting
you were expecting
they were expecting

Past Perfect
I had expected
you had expected
he/she/it had expected
we had expected
you had expected
they had expected

Future
I will expect
you will expect
he/she/it will expect
we will expect
you will expect
they will expect

Future Perfect
I will have expected
you will have expected
he/she/it will have expected
we will have expected
you will have expected
they will have expected

Future Continuous
I will be expecting
you will be expecting
he/she/it will be expecting
we will be expecting
you will be expecting
they will be expecting

Present Perfect Continuous
I have been expecting
you have been expecting
he/she/it has been expecting
we have been expecting
you have been expecting
they have been expecting

Future Perfect Continuous
I will have been expecting
you will have been expecting
he/she/it will have been expecting
we will have been expecting
you will have been expecting
they will have been expecting

Past Perfect Continuous
I had been expecting
you had been expecting
he/she/it had been expecting
we had been expecting
you had been expecting
they had been expecting

Conditional
I would expect
you would expect
he/she/it would expect
we would expect
you would expect
they would expect

Past Conditional
I would have expected
you would have expected
he/she/it would have expected
we would have expected
you would have expected
they would have expected

Thesaurus

Verb	1.	expect - regard something as probable or likely; "The meteorologists are expecting rain for tomorrow"anticipateguess, reckon, suppose, think, imagine, opine - expect, believe, or suppose; "I imagine she earned a lot of money with her new novel"; "I thought to find her in a bad state"; "he didn't think to find her in the kitchen"; "I guess she is angry at me for standing her up"assume, presume, take for granted - take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof; "I assume his train was late"hypothesise, hypothesize, speculate, conjecture, theorise, theorize, hypothecate, suppose - to believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds; "Scientists supposed that large dinosaurs lived in swamps"pass judgment, evaluate, judge - form a critical opinion of; "I cannot judge some works of modern art"; "How do you evaluate this grant proposal?" "We shouldn't pass judgment on other people"await, expect, wait, look - look forward to the probable occurrence of; "We were expecting a visit from our relatives"; "She is looking to a promotion"; "he is waiting to be drafted"believe, trust - be confident about something; "I believe that he will come back from the war"
	2.	expect - consider obligatory; request and expect; "We require our secretary to be on time"; "Aren't we asking too much of these children?"; "I expect my students to arrive in time for their lessons"require, askdemand - request urgently and forcefully; "The victim's family is demanding compensation"; "The boss demanded that he be fired immediately"; "She demanded to see the manager"call - require the presentation of for redemption before maturation; "Call a bond"
	3.	expect - look forward to the probable occurrence of; "We were expecting a visit from our relatives"; "She is looking to a promotion"; "he is waiting to be drafted"await, wait, lookexpect - look forward to the birth of a child; "She is expecting in March"anticipate, expect - regard something as probable or likely; "The meteorologists are expecting rain for tomorrow"look forward - expect or hope for; "I look to hear from you soon"look to - turn one's interests or expectations towards; "look to the future"; "this method looks to significant wavings"hold the line, hang on, hold on - hold the phone line open; "Please hang on while I get your folder"look for, look to, anticipate - be excited or anxious about
	4.	expect - consider reasonable or due; "I'm expecting a full explanation as to why these files were destroyed"consider, regard, view, reckon, see - deem to be; "She views this quite differently from me"; "I consider her to be shallow"; "I don't see the situation quite as negatively as you do"
	5.	expect - look forward to the birth of a child; "She is expecting in March"have a bun in the oven, gestate, expect, bear, carry - be pregnant with; "She is bearing his child"; "The are expecting another child in January"; "I am carrying his child"await, expect, wait, look - look forward to the probable occurrence of; "We were expecting a visit from our relatives"; "She is looking to a promotion"; "he is waiting to be drafted"
	6.	expect - be pregnant with; "She is bearing his child"; "The are expecting another child in January"; "I am carrying his child"have a bun in the oven, gestate, bear, carrybirth, give birth, bear, deliver, have - cause to be born; "My wife had twins yesterday!"expect - look forward to the birth of a child; "She is expecting in March"

expect

verb1. think, believe, suppose, assume, trust, imagine, reckon, forecast, calculate, presume, foresee, conjecture, surmise, think likely We expect the talks will continue until tomorrow.2. anticipate, look forward to, predict, envisage, await, hope for, contemplate, bargain for, look ahead to I wasn't expecting to see you today.3. require, demand, want, wish, look for, call for, ask for, hope for, insist on, count on, rely upon He expects total obedience and blind loyalty from his staff.

expect

verb1. To look forward to confidently:anticipate, await, bargain for (or on), count on, depend on (or upon), look for, wait (for).Informal: figure on.2. To oblige to do or not do by force of authority, propriety, or custom:require, suppose.

Translations

期待期望要求预料意想

expect

(ikˈspekt) verb1. to think of as likely to happen or come. I'm expecting a letter today; We expect her on tomorrow's train.期待2. to think or believe (that something will happen). He expects to be home tomorrow; I expect that he will go; `Will she go too?' `I expect so' / `I don't expect so' / `I expect not.'预料3. to require. They expect high wages for their professional work; You are expected to tidy your own room.要求4. to suppose or assume. I expect (that) you're tired.料想exˈpectancy noun the state of expecting or hoping. a feeling/look/air of expectancy.期望exˈpectant adjective1. full of hope or expectation. the expectant faces of the audience.充满期望的2. expecting (a baby). an expectant mother.怀孕的exˈpectantly adverb期待地ˌexpecˈtation (ekspek-) noun1. the state of expecting. In expectation of a wage increase, he bought a washing-machine.期待2. what is expected. He failed his exam, contrary to expectation(s); Did the concert come up to your expectations?期望

expect

→ 期待zhCN

expect

be expecting

euphemism To be pregnant. I heard that you're expecting—congratulations! When is the baby due?See also: expect

expect the unexpected

Be prepared to face unanticipated events or situations. Climbing a mountain has many dangers, so no matter how much you prepare, expect the unexpected.See also: expect, unexpected

(just) as I expected

As I anticipated or suspected. The phrase is often said with a note of annoyance or frustration. My mother stole all the attention at my birthday party, just as I expected. As I expected, I didn't get the promotion. The boss just doesn't like me.See also: expect

blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed

Having high expectations often leads to disappointment when the desired result does not occur, so keeping expectations low will save one from being disappointed. I promised myself I wouldn't get my hopes up, so when I found out that my first-choice school had rejected me, I was actually OK with it. Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.See also: blessed, disappointed, expect, he, never, shall, who

expect (someone or something) for (something)

To anticipate or expect someone or a group to attend something. Don't expect me for dinner because I have to work late tonight, unfortunately. I expected the team for practice at 5:30 and only two players are here—what is going on?See also: expect

expect (something) from (someone or something)

1. To anticipate or expect receiving something from someone or a group. I'm not sure what John's doing yet, but I expect a response from him soon. I expect attentiveness from my students—is that too much to ask?2. To demand or request something from someone or a group. You're my senior advisor, Tom—I expect better judgment from you.See also: expect

be (only) to be expected

To be typical or unsurprising. Unfortunately, post-surgical pain is to be expected. That type of contemptuous reaction is only to be expected from such a cretin.See also: expect

What do you expect?

This is completely normal or expected; you shouldn't expect or hope for anything else. It's shame that we don't qualify, but what do you expect? The entire economy is skewed to favor major corporations over smaller companies like ours. What do you expect—he cheated once before, so it's no surprise he did it again.See also: what

What can you expect?

This is completely normal or expected; you shouldn't expect or hope for anything else. It's shame that we don't qualify, but what can you expect? The entire economy is skewed to favor major corporations over smaller companies like ours. What can you expect—he cheated once before, so it's no surprise he did it again.See also: can, what

when (one) is least expecting it

At the point in time at which one is least prepared or has not been anticipating (something). Things seemed to be going well, and then, when I was least expecting it, my boss said that I was being fired. We will organize our forces and strike the enemy when they are least expecting it.See also: expect, least

when (one) least expects it

At the point in time at which one is least prepared or has not been anticipating (something). Things seemed to be going well, and then, when I least expected it, my boss said that I was being fired. We will organize our forces and strike the enemy when they least expect it.See also: expect, least

when least expected

At the point in time at which one is least prepared or has not been anticipating (something). Things seemed to be going well, and then, when least expected, my boss said that I was being fired. We will organize our forces and strike the enemy when least expected.See also: expect, least

expecting

euphemism Pregnant. I heard that you're expecting—congratulations! When is the baby due?See also: expect

expecting a child

euphemism Pregnant. I heard that you're expecting a child—congratulations! When are you due?See also: child, expect

hope for the best and prepare for the worst

To have hope that a positive occurrence will happen, while simultaneously readying for a negative outcome. Now that our house is on the market, there's not much we can do but hope for the best and prepare for the worst. We hoped for the best and prepared for the worst when we learned that the hurricane was to make landfall.See also: and, hope, prepare, worst

hope for the best but expect the worst

To have hope that a positive occurrence will happen, while simultaneously readying for a negative outcome. Now that our house is on the market, there's not much we can do besides hope for the best but expect the worst. We hoped for the best but expected the worst when we learned that the hurricane was to make landfall.See also: but, expect, hope, worst

I guess

I suppose; sure. Often used as an affirmative answer when one is not completely certain or does not want to fully commit. Bob: "You look a little down today. Everything alright?" Mary: "I guess. I've just been feeling vaguely melancholy lately." A: "It's supposed to be sunny today, right?" B: "I guess. I haven't checked the weather."See also: guess

I expect so

An expression of vague affirmation or assent. A: "Is Tom coming today?" B: "Yeah, I expect so—I haven't heard otherwise."See also: expect

I guess not

An expression of vague denial or negation. A: "Is Tom coming?" B: "I guess not—it's getting pretty late."See also: guess, not

I expect not

An expression of vague denial or negation. A: "Is Tom coming?" B: "I expect not—it's getting pretty late."See also: expect, not

Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.

Prov. If you do not expect good things to happen, you will not be disappointed when they fail to happen. Ellen: This is going to be the best vacation we've ever had; we're going to have fun every minute of every day. Fred: Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed. Jill: Do you think you'll win the contest? Jane: I like to keep in mind that blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.See also: blessed, disappointed, expect, he, never, shall, who

expect someone or something for something

to anticipate someone or a group to attend something. I expect you for dinner on Thursday. We expected all of the board of directors for the meeting.See also: expect

expect something from someone or something

1. . to anticipate receiving something from someone or a group. I expect a letter from you at least once a week while you are gone. We expect at least a postcard out of you. 2. and expect something (out) of someone or something to demand something from someone or something. I expect more effort from you. Get to work. 3. and expect something (out) of someone or something to anticipate a certain kind of behavior from someone or something. We expected better from you. I'm very disappointed in your behavior. We really expected better behavior of you.See also: expect

expecting (a child)

to be pregnant. Tommy's mother is expecting a child. Oh, I didn't know she was expecting.See also: expect

Hope for the best and prepare for the worst,

and Hope for the best but expect the worst.Prov. You should have a positive attitude, but make sure you are ready for disaster. While my father was in the hospital after his heart attack, we hoped for the best and prepared for the worst. When you study for a major exam, hope for the best but expect the worst. Don't make yourself anxious worrying that it will be too difficult, but review as if you expect the exam to be extremely hard.See also: and, hope, prepare, worst

I guess

and I expect; I suppose; I suspect 1. a phrase that introduces a supposition. (Frequently, in speech, suppose is reduced to 'spose, and expect and suspect are reduced to 'spect. The apostrophe is not always shown.) Bob: I guess it's going to rain. Bill: Oh, I don't know. Maybe so, maybe not. Alice: I expect you'll be wanting to leave pretty soon. John: Why? It's early yet. 2. a vague way of answering 'yes'. John: You want some more coffee? Jane: I 'spose. Alice: Ready to go? John: I spect.See also: guess

I guess not.

and (I) don't think so.; I expect not.; I suppose not.; I suspect not.; I think not.a vague statement of negation. (More polite or gentle than simply saying no. Frequently, in speech, suppose is reduced to 'spose, and expect and suspect are reduced to 'spect. The apostrophe is not always shown.) Bill: It's almost too late to go to the movie. Shall we try anyway? Mary: I guess not. Tom: Will it rain? Mary: I 'spect not.See also: guess, not

I guess (so).

and I believe so.; I expect (so).; I suppose (so).; I suspect (so).; I think so.a vague expression of assent. (Frequently, in speech, suppose is reduced to 'spose, and expect and suspect are reduced to 'spect. The apostrophe is not always shown.) Tom: Will it rain today? Bob: I suppose so. Sue: Happy? Bill: I 'spect. Sue: You don't sound happy. Bill: I guess not.See also: guess

(just) as I expected

I thought so; I knew it would be this way. Just as I expected. The window was left open and it rained in. As I expected, he left work early again.See also: expect

when least expected

when one does not expect something. An old car is likely to give you trouble when least expected. My pencil usually breaks when least expected.See also: expect, least

You can't expect me to believe that.

and You don't expect me to believe that.That is so outrageous that no one could believe it. Bill: My father is running for president. Bob: You can't expect me to believe that. Jane: Everyone in our family has one extra toe. Mary: You don't expect me to believe that!See also: believe, expect, that

when least expected

When something is not awaited, as in My brother always calls when least expected, or You might know that the furnace would break down when least expected-we just had it overhauled . See also: expect, least

what can (or do) you expect?

used to emphasize that there was nothing unexpected about a person or event. A more elaborate statement of the same sentiment is the proverb what can you expect from a pig but a grunt ?See also: can, what

what (else) do you exˈpect?

(spoken) used to tell somebody not to be surprised by something: She shouted at you? What do you expect when you treat her like that?See also: what

be (only) to be exˈpected

be likely to happen; be quite normal: A little tiredness after taking these drugs is to be expected. ♢ ‘I’m afraid I’m very nervous.’ ‘Don’t worry, that’s only to be expected.’See also: expect

be exˈpecting

(informal) be pregnant: I hear Sue’s expecting.See also: expect

expect

ex·pect

expect

ex•pect

expect

expect

expect

expect

expect

expect

expect

be expecting

expect the unexpected

(just) as I expected

blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed

expect (someone or something) for (something)

expect (something) from (someone or something)

be (only) to be expected

What do you expect?

What can you expect?

when (one) is least expecting it

when (one) least expects it

when least expected

expecting

expecting a child

hope for the best and prepare for the worst

hope for the best but expect the worst

I guess

I expect so

I guess not

I expect not

Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.

expect someone or something for something

expect something from someone or something

expecting (a child)

Hope for the best and prepare for the worst,

I guess

I guess not.

I guess (so).

(just) as I expected

when least expected

You can't expect me to believe that.

when least expected

what can (or do) you expect?

what (else) do you exˈpect?

be (only) to be exˈpected

be exˈpecting

expect

expect

expect

expect

Synonyms for expect

verb think

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verb anticipate

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verb require

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Synonyms for expect

verb to look forward to confidently

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verb to oblige to do or not do by force of authority, propriety, or custom

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Synonyms for expect

verb regard something as probable or likely

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verb consider obligatory

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verb look forward to the probable occurrence of

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verb consider reasonable or due

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verb look forward to the birth of a child

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verb be pregnant with

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