expect

Everyday

1. To think or believe that something will happen: I expect it will rain. tree →
2. To wait for someone or something that should arrive: we are expecting visitors. tree →
3. To think someone should do something because it is right or their duty: teachers expect us to listen. tree →
4. "Expecting (a baby)" means pregnant. tree →
5. In British speech, "I expect" can mean "I suppose": I expect you're hungry. tree →

In the lessons

In maths and science, we "expect" a result before an experiment (a prediction), then compare with what really happened; in probability, if you flip a coin 10 times, you expect about 5 heads, though it may not be exactly 5. In everyday life and school, rules say what is expected of us. In stories, surprises happen when the unexpected occurs. Phrases: "expect to", "as expected", "more than expected", "what do you expect?", "expected of you", "unexpected".

Examples

• I expect it will be sunny tomorrow. tree →
• We are expecting Grandma at six o'clock. tree →
• What do you expect will happen when we add the vinegar? tree →
• The results were just as we expected. tree →
• My teacher expects us to hand homework in on time. tree →
• I didn't expect so many people to come! tree →
• Roll a dice 60 times and you'd expect about 10 sixes. tree →
• Aunt Sue is expecting a baby in spring. tree →
• It is just what I expected. tree →

Note

Regular verb: expected, expecting. Nouns: expectation; adjective: unexpected (surprising). "Expect" vs "wait": you wait for a bus; you expect it to come at 3. In maths problems, "expected" usually means predicted, not certain: "expect about 5" does not mean exactly 5.