Cool MateAnticipate vs Await
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Anticipate
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Await
Top 3,000 (common)C1verb
Most common: Anticipate
| Anticipate | Await | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ænˈtɪsɪpeɪt//🇺🇸 //ænˈtɪsɪpeɪt// | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈweɪt/","/əˈweɪts/","/əˈweɪtɪd/","/əˈweɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈweɪt/","/əˈweɪts/","/əˈweɪtɪd/","/əˈweɪtɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To expect or look forward to something happening. | to wait for something or someone |
| Example | We anticipate a rise in sales this quarter. | He is in custody **awaiting trial**. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | anticipate changes, anticipate problems, anticipate future trends | anxiously, breathlessly, nervously, long awaited |
| Antonyms | dread, disregard, ignore | depart, continue, proceed |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'expect' – 'anticipate' implies preparation., Using 'anticipate' without an object – it should always have something anticipated. | Using 'await' without an object, e.g., 'I await.' should be 'I await your response.', 'Await for' is incorrect; 'await' does not take 'for'., Confusing with 'wait' which is more common in conversation. |
| Usage notes | Use 'anticipate' to express expectation about future events or actions. Avoid for casual conversations. | Used in formal contexts, often in writing. Not typical in casual speech. Don't confuse with 'wait for'—they are similar but 'await' is used without 'for'. |
Frequently asked questions: Anticipate vs Await
What's the difference between Anticipate and Await?
Anticipate: To expect or look forward to something happening. Await: to wait for something or someone
Which is more common: Anticipate and Await?
Anticipate is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Anticipate and Await?
Await is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Anticipate and Await the same CEFR level?
Anticipate: B2, Await: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Anticipate and Await?
Anticipate: verb, Await: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Anticipate: We anticipate a rise in sales this quarter. Await: He is in custody **awaiting trial**.
Can I use Anticipate and Await interchangeably?
Not always. Anticipate and Await are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.