EXPECT, HOPE, WAIT AND LOOK FORWARD TO

1 Meaning
• Expect is mental rather than emotional. If I expect something to happen, I have a good
reason to think that it will in fact happen.
She’s expecting a baby
I’m expecting John to phone at three o’clock

• Hope is more emotional. If I hope for something to happen, I would like it to happen, but
I don’t know whether it will.
She’s hoping it will be a girl
I hope John has good news

Note: One can expect something to happen but one can only hope for good things.

• One waits when somebody or something is late, when one is early for something, or
when one wants time to pass so that something will happen.
I hate waiting for people to phone.
I waited for her till eleven, but she didn’t turn up
I can’t wait for the holidays

• Look forward means ‘think about (something in the future) with pleasure’. One looks
forward to something that is certain to happen, and that one is happy about.
He’s looking forward to his birthday
I look forward to meeting you
I’m looking forward to the day when my older brother leaves home