1 to think or believe that sth will happen or that sb will do sth:
[VN] We are expecting a rise in food prices this month. * Don't expect sympathy from me! * That's not the sort of behaviour I expect of you! * Double the expected number of people came to the meeting. * [Vtoinf] You can't expect to learn a foreign language in a few months. * I looked back, half expecting to see someone following me. * [VNtoinf] House prices are expected to rise sharply. * I didn't expect him to become a successful writer. * Do you really expect me to believe you? * [V(that)] Many people were expecting (that) the peace talks would break down. * [VNthat] It is expected that the report will suggest some major reforms.
2 (often used in the progressive tenses) to be waiting for sb/sth to arrive, as this has been arranged:
[VN] to expect a visit / call / letter from sb * Are you expecting visitors? * [VN, VNtoinf] We were expecting him yesterday. * We were expecting him to arrive yesterday.
3 ~ sth (of / from sb) to demand that sb will do sth because it is their duty or responsibility:
[VN] Her parents expected high standards from her. * Are you clear what is expected of you? * He's still getting over his illness, so don't expect too much from him. * [VNtoinf] They expected all their children to be high achievers. * We are expected to work on Saturdays. * [Vtoinf] I expect to be paid promptly for the work. [also Vthat]
4 (informal, especially BrE) (not used in the progressive tenses) used when you think sth is probably true:
[V] 'Will you be late?' 'I expect so.' * 'Are you going out tonight?' 'I don't expect so.' * [V, Vthat] 'Who's eaten all the cake?' 'Tom, I expect / I expect it was Tom.'
HELPNOTE 'That' is nearly always left out.
compareUNEXPECTED
IDIOMS
be expecting a baby / child (informal) to be pregnant:
Ann's expecting a baby in June.
be (only) to be expected to be likely to happen; to be quite normal:
A little tiredness after taking these drugs is to be expected.
what (else) do you expect? (spoken) used to tell sb not to be surprised by sth:
She swore at you? What do you expect when you treat her like that?
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WHICHWORD?
expect / wait for / hope / look forward to
If you expect something, you think that it will or is likely to happen: I'm expecting him to arrive soon. If you wait for sth, you stay somewhere or pass the time until something happens: I'm waiting for him to arrive. Waiting describes what you are doing, usually for a short time, until something happens: I'll wait for you outside the hotel. * _I_'_l_l_ _w_a_i_t_ _y_o_u_ _o_u_t_s_i_d_e_ _t_h_e_ _h_o_t_e_l. * How long have you been waiting to see the dentist? Expecting suggests that you think something will happen in the future: The fall in profits had been expected. * We weren't expecting it to rain.
You use hope, not expect, to say that you want something to happen: I hope you will have a good party. * _I_ _e_x_p_e_c_t_ _y_o_u_ _w_i_l_l_ _h_a_v_e_ _a_ _g_o_o_d_ _p_a_r_t_y.
You use look forward to when you are feeling happy and excited about something that you expect to happen: I'm looking forward to your visit. At the end of a letter, use look forward to, not expect: I look forward to your reply. * I expect your reply.
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