Cool MateAnticipate vs Await vs Predict vs They'll expect that
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Anticipate
Await
Predict
They'll expect that
| Anticipate | Await | Predict | They'll expect that | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ænˈtɪsɪpeɪt//🇺🇸 //ænˈtɪsɪpeɪt// | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈweɪt/","/əˈweɪts/","/əˈweɪtɪd/","/əˈweɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈweɪt/","/əˈweɪts/","/əˈweɪtɪd/","/əˈweɪtɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //prɪˈdɪkt//🇺🇸 //prɪˈdɪkt// | 🇬🇧 //ðeɪl ɪkˈspɛkt ðæt//🇺🇸 //ðeɪl ɪkˈspɛkt ðæt// |
| Meaning | To expect or look forward to something happening. | to wait for something or someone | To say what will happen in the future. | They will think something will happen. |
| Example | We anticipate a rise in sales this quarter. | He is in custody **awaiting trial**. | Scientists can predict climate changes based on current data. | They'll expect that you arrive on time for the meeting. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | C1 | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | verb | verb | |
| Collocations | anticipate changes, anticipate problems, anticipate future trends | anxiously, breathlessly, nervously, long awaited | predict outcomes, predict trends, predict the future | expect that you will, expect that something will, they'll expect that everyone, they'll expect that you, they'll expect that this |
| Antonyms | dread, disregard, ignore | depart, continue, proceed | doubt, ignore | - |
| 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. | Confusing 'predict' with 'foresee' – both mean to anticipate, but 'predict' is more definite., Using 'predict' without an object – it often requires specifying what is predicted. | Confusing with 'they expect' which is more immediate., Using incorrect tenses, such as 'they'll expected'., Adding unnecessary words, for example, 'they will expect that it will rain.' |
| 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'. | Use 'predict' when expressing expectations about future events. It's suitable for both casual and formal contexts. | Commonly used in spoken and written English; can be used in both casual and formal contexts. Avoid using in overly formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Anticipate vs Await vs Predict vs They'll expect that
What's the difference between Anticipate, Await, Predict, and They'll expect that?
Anticipate: To expect or look forward to something happening. Await: to wait for something or someone Predict: To say what will happen in the future. They'll expect that: They will think something will happen.
Which is more advanced: Anticipate, Await, Predict, and They'll expect that?
Await is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Anticipate: We anticipate a rise in sales this quarter. Await: He is in custody **awaiting trial**. Predict: Scientists can predict climate changes based on current data. They'll expect that: They'll expect that you arrive on time for the meeting.
Can I use Anticipate, Await, Predict, and They'll expect that interchangeably?
Not always. Anticipate, Await, Predict, and They'll expect that 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.