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Session 20

Welcome to English In A Minute. Give us a minute and we'll give you a hot tip about English. Grammar, vocabulary... there's so much to learn! And all taught by your favourite BBC Learning English staff!

Wayiitiwwan marii boqonnaa kana keessaa

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Wayitii marii qabxii 20

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    Activity 1
  1. Activity 1

Activity 1

Expect, wait and hope

Do you have a minute to spare to learn some English? Phil explains the differences between hope, expect and wait. Give us 60 seconds and we'll give you the English!

Vidiyoo daawwadhuuti shaakala kana xumuri

Barreeffama agarsiisi Barreeffama dhoksi

Phil
Hi! I'm Phil from BBC Learning English. Today, I'm going to tell you the difference between expect, wait and hope.

They all talk about things in the future, but they don't mean the same.

We use expect to say that we think something is likely. It's raining today, so I expect the traffic will be really bad.

When we talk about time passing, we don't use expect, we use wait. I'm waiting for the rain to stop.

When we talk about wanting something to happen, we don't use expect. We use hope. I hope it will be sunny tomorrow.

So just remember: You expect what's likely. Wait for things that take time. And hope for things that you want to happen.

I expect you knew that, but I hope you'll practise it. I'm waiting for you to start... go on!

Expect, wait and hope

Expect
We use expect to say that we think something is likely. Expect can be followed by a full infinitive, an object or a that clause.

  • I expect to arrive by 4.
  • I expect you to clean your room.
  • It's raining today, so I expect (that) the traffic will be really bad.

Wait
We use wait when we talk about time passing. Waiting is often physical. We sit or stand somewhere until something happens. Wait is often followed by the preposition for or a full infinitive verb. 

  • I'm waiting for the rain to stop.
  • We should wait to see what happens.
  • He'll never wait for you to arrive if he wants to leave

Hope
We use hope when we talk about wanting something to happen. We would like it to happen, but we don't know if it will. Hope can be followed by the preposition for and an object, a full infinitive or a that clause.

  • Never give up. You have to hope for the best.
  • That was fun. I hope to see you again soon!
  • I hope (that) it will be sunny tomorrow.

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