Cool MateExpect vs Looking forward to it
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Expect
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Looking forward to it
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: ExpectMost common: Expect
| Expect | Looking forward to it | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈspekt/","/ɪkˈspekts/","/ɪkˈspektɪd/","/ɪkˈspektɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈspekt/","/ɪkˈspekts/","/ɪkˈspektɪd/","/ɪkˈspektɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈlʊkɪŋ ˈfɔːwəd tə ɪt//🇺🇸 //ˈlʊkɪŋ ˈfɔrˌwɜrd tə ɪt// |
| Meaning | To believe something will happen. | Excited about something that will happen in the future. |
| Example | I expect to receive my package by Friday. | I'm really looking forward to it when we finally meet! |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | 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 | looking forward to seeing you, looking forward to hearing from you, looking forward to the weekend, looking forward to the meeting, looking forward to the concert |
| Antonyms | doubt, disregard, ignore | - |
| Common mistakes | 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'. | Omitting 'to': Saying 'looking forward it' instead of 'looking forward to it'., Confusing with 'look forward for' which is incorrect. |
| Usage notes | Use 'expect' in both spoken and written English. It's neutral, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Avoid using it with uncertain outcomes. | Use in informal contexts to express anticipation. Avoid in very formal writing or settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Expect vs Looking forward to it
What's the difference between Expect and Looking forward to it?
Expect: To believe something will happen. Looking forward to it: Excited about something that will happen in the future.
Which is more formal: Expect and Looking forward to it?
Expect is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Expect and Looking forward to it?
Expect is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Expect: I expect to receive my package by Friday. Looking forward to it: I'm really looking forward to it when we finally meet!
Can I use Expect and Looking forward to it interchangeably?
Not always. Expect and Looking forward to it 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.