Cool MateAwait vs Expect
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Await
Top 3,000 (common)C1verb
Expect
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Most common: Expect
| Await | Expect | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈweɪt/","/əˈweɪts/","/əˈweɪtɪd/","/əˈweɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈweɪt/","/əˈweɪts/","/əˈweɪtɪd/","/əˈweɪtɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈspekt/","/ɪkˈspekts/","/ɪkˈspektɪd/","/ɪkˈspektɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈspekt/","/ɪkˈspekts/","/ɪkˈspektɪd/","/ɪkˈspektɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | to wait for something or someone | To believe something will happen. |
| Example | He is in custody **awaiting trial**. | I expect to receive my package by Friday. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | A2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | anxiously, breathlessly, nervously, long awaited | confidently, fully, rightly, be fair to, be natural to, be reasonable to, from, as expected, (only) to be expected, be widely expected, confidently, fully, rightly, be fair to, be natural to, be reasonable to, from, as expected, (only) to be expected, be widely expected |
| Antonyms | depart, continue, proceed | doubt, disregard, ignore |
| Common mistakes | 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. | Confused with 'hope' - 'expect' is more certain than 'hope'., Using 'expect' without an object - remember it often needs a person or thing., Misplacing the infinitive after 'expect' - make sure to use 'to + verb'. |
| Usage notes | 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 'expect' in both spoken and written English. It's neutral, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Avoid using it with uncertain outcomes. |
Frequently asked questions: Await vs Expect
What's the difference between Await and Expect?
Await: to wait for something or someone Expect: To believe something will happen.
Which is more common: Await and Expect?
Expect is the most common in everyday English.
Are Await and Expect the same CEFR level?
Await: C1, Expect: A2 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Await and Expect interchangeably?
Not always. Await and Expect 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.