Cool MateAnticipate vs Await vs How can we expect vs Predict
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Anticipate
Await
How can we expect
Predict
| Anticipate | Await | How can we expect | Predict | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ænˈtɪsɪpeɪt//🇺🇸 //ænˈtɪsɪpeɪt// | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈweɪt/","/əˈweɪts/","/əˈweɪtɪd/","/əˈweɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈweɪt/","/əˈweɪts/","/əˈweɪtɪd/","/əˈweɪtɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //haʊ kən wi ɪkˈspɛkt//🇺🇸 //haʊ kæn wi ɪkˈspɛkt// | 🇬🇧 //prɪˈdɪkt//🇺🇸 //prɪˈdɪkt// |
| Meaning | To expect or look forward to something happening. | to wait for something or someone | What do we think will happen? | To say what will happen in the future. |
| Example | We anticipate a rise in sales this quarter. | He is in custody **awaiting trial**. | How can we expect the weather to improve? | Scientists can predict climate changes based on current data. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very 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 | expect results, expect an answer, expect a response, expect success, expect changes | predict outcomes, predict trends, predict the future |
| 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. | Omitting 'can' when forming the question, e.g., 'How we expect?', Using 'expect' without a subject, e.g., 'Expect it to rain.', Confusing with 'hope', e.g., using 'hope' in situations where 'expect' is more appropriate. | 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. |
| 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 when discussing predictions or assumptions about future events. Generally suitable in both spoken and written contexts. | Use 'predict' when expressing expectations about future events. It's suitable for both casual and formal contexts. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Anticipate vs Await vs How can we expect vs Predict
What's the difference between Anticipate, Await, How can we expect, and Predict?
Anticipate: To expect or look forward to something happening. Await: to wait for something or someone How can we expect: What do we think will happen? Predict: To say what will happen in the future.
Which is more advanced: Anticipate, Await, How can we expect, and Predict?
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**. How can we expect: How can we expect the weather to improve? Predict: Scientists can predict climate changes based on current data.
Can I use Anticipate, Await, How can we expect, and Predict interchangeably?
Not always. Anticipate, Await, How can we expect, and Predict 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.