WAIT (/ HOPE / LOOK FORWARD TO / EXPECT

/ WISH /)
Expect significa esperar algo que sabes que va a ocurrir.
I'm expecting an important phone call.
Look forward to significa esperar con ilusin, con ganas.
I'm looking forward to Jaime's party.
Hope significa esperar algo que queremos que ocurra sabiendo que hay una posibilidad.
I hope it doesn't rain.
Wish significa esperar algo que es imposible o casi imposible que ocurra.
I wish I were 20 years younger.
Wait significa esperar fsicamente.
We waited 20 minutes for the bus.
- I'm expecting the bus to arrive in the next ten minutes. (Not *waiting*
(i.e. I believe that it will expecting is a mental process!
- !y wife's expecting a baby.
(Not *waiting a baby* *waiting for a baby*
"expecting is a physical process here!
- I'm waiting for the next bus.
(Not *waiting the next bus* * expecting for* (" staying here until the bus comes waiting is a
physical state!
- We're "very much looking forward to your visit. (Not *waiting "for* * expecting* *we're
loo#ing very forward to*
(" e#pecting with pleasure we often end e.g. a letter with a polite phrase using loo# forward
to$ not *wait* *expect*% compare $ hope to see you which e#presses
uncertainty!
- &utside 'arliament$ the crowds wait for/await the arrival of the procession.
(Not * await for*
"wait for and await ( without for - mean the same, but await is very formal!
expect
- $ expect you've heard about the resignation of the chairman. (Not *I'm expecting*
(stative use in %declarations%!
- $ expect/I'm expecting to hear from you.
(" loo&ing forward to stative or dynamic!
- John should have reached home by now. )I expect so. (Not '$ expect "it.*
"expect ( so in affirmative responses!
hope
- We hope/are hoping business will recover next year.
(stative or dynamic depending on the emphasis you wish to give!
( Will he phone you when he arrives * - $ hope so. (Not 'I hope* * I hope it.*
( Will you be too late * (I hope not.
(Not '$ hope no.* *I don't hope so.*
( I hope (that) she'll recover/she recovers soon. (Not *hope her to recover*
( I hope to get into university.+I hope that I'll get into university.
"to or that after hope when the sub)ect is the same!
look forward to
- $ loo# forward to seeing you during the wee#end. (Not *loo# forward to see* *loo# forwards
to seeing* *loo# forward seeing*
"to functions as a preposition ( (ing here, not as part of the infinitive!
wish (for)
- $ wish I #new the answer to your ,uestion.
(Not *I'm wishing*
(stative use!
- We often wish for things we can never have.
(Not *wish things*
"wish for - desire to have!
- $ wish things were better.
(Not *wish for things to be*
"wish . "that clause!
- $ wish it was/were /riday.
(Not '$ wish it is*
"were can be used in all persons after wish and is more tentative than was
- / wish I could/we could be with you.
(Not '$ wish I would+0 wish we would*
- $ wish they could be with us.
(Not '$ wish they would*
- $ wish he would do as he's told.
(Not '$ wish he could*
"could e#presses ability* present or future
reference would " be willing to!
- $ wish to apply for a visa.
(Not *wish that I apply*
- $ wish you to know that I'll be retiring soon.
(Not *wish that you #now*