expectex‧pect /ɪkˈspekt/ ●●● S1 W1 verb [transitive] 
I expect to be back within a week. The company expects to complete work in April.expect somebody/something to do something Emergency repairs were expected to take three weeks. I didn’t expect him to stay so long.expect (that) There’s the doorbell – I expect it’ll be my mother. He will be hard to beat. I fully expect (=am completely sure about) that and I’m ready. ‘Who are you?’ he murmured, only half expecting (=thinking it was possible, but not likely) her to answer. He didn’t get his expected pay rise.as expected (=in the way that was planned or thought likely to happen) As expected, the whole family was shocked by the news.something is (only) to be expected (=used to say that you are not surprised by something, especially something unpleasant) A little nervousness is only to be expected when you are starting a new job.2demand to demand that someone does something because it is a duty or seems reasonableexpect something from somebody The officer expects complete obedience from his troops.expect somebody to do something I can’t expect her to be on time if I’m late myself.expect a lot of somebody/expect too much of somebody (=think someone can do more than may be possible) The school expects a lot of its students.3think somebody/something will arrive to believe that someone or something is going to arrive: We’re expecting Alison home any minute now. Snow is expected by the weekend. an expected crowd of 80,000 people4think to think that you will find that someone or something has a particular quality or does a particular thing: I expected her to be taller than me, not shorter.5be expecting (a baby) if a woman is expecting, she is going to have a baby6what can/do you expect? spoken used to say that you are not surprised by something unpleasant or disappointing: He was late, but what do you expect?7how do/can you expect ...? spoken used to say that it is unreasonable to think that something will happen or be true: If I can’t help her, how can you expect to?8I expect British English spoken used to introduce or agree with a statement that you think is probably true: I expect you’re right. ‘Do you think they’re going to attack?’ ‘I expect so.’GRAMMAR: Patterns with expect• You expect to do something: · The team expects to win.• You expect someone to do something: · We didn’t expect them to come.• You expect that something will happen: · We expect that we will arrive at about midday.• You say that you expected that something would happen: · They had not expected that there would be so much traffic.• You say that something is expected to happen: · Sales are expected to reach $10 million.• In more formal English, you can also say it is expected that something will happen: · It is expected that sales will reach $10 million.• You can say you are expecting something. Expect is often used in the progressive: · I’m expecting a call from the hospital.• You can use the phrases I expect so or I don’t expect so, usually to give a short answer: · ‘Were they surprised?’ ‘I expect so.’· ‘Will it take long?’ ‘I don’t expect so.’ ✗Don’t say: I expect it.Grammar guide ‒ VERBSCOLLOCATIONSadverbsfully expect (=completely)· We fully expected to win.confidently expect (=with a feeling of confidence)· He confidently expected to be elected again.half expect (=partly, but not completely)· He walked slowly towards the box, half expecting it to explode.really expect (=definitely)· I didn’t really expect her to come.honestly expect (=really expect)· Do you honestly expect me to look after the kids while you go on holiday?hardly expect (=almost not)· You can hardly expect a child of three to know the difference between right and wrong.rightly expect (=with good reason)· The public rightly expects government officials to be honest.phrasesas expected (=in the way that was planned or thought likely to happen)· Tickets have not been selling as well as expected.something is (only) to be expected (=used to say that you are not surprised by something unpleasant)· After all this rain, some flooding is only to be expected.something happens when you least expect it· Bad luck tends to happen when you least expect it.somebody is entitled to expect something (=have the right to think something will happen)· You’re entitled to expect decent service at these prices.it is reasonable/unreasonable to expect something· It’s unreasonable to expect a tenant to pay for repairs to the outside of the house.
WORD ORIGINexpect
Origin:
1500-1600 Latin exspectare ‘to look forward to’, from spectare ‘to look at’VERB TABLE
expect
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | expect |
| he, she, it | expects | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | expected |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have expected |
| he, she, it | has expected | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had expected |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will expect |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have expected |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am expecting |
| he, she, it | is expecting | |
| you, we, they | are expecting | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was expecting |
| you, we, they | were expecting | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been expecting |
| he, she, it | has been expecting | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been expecting |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be expecting |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been expecting |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- At these prices, I expect better service.
- Drivers should expect long delays on all roads out of town today.
- Economists expect the economy to grow by 5% next year.
- Forecasters expect snow in the mountains.
- How many people are you expecting?
- I'm expecting a call from him soon.
- I'm expecting a fax from Korea. Has anything arrived yet?
- I expected to find him in the bar, but he wasn't there.
- Light rain is expected today in the Bay Area.
- Perkins fully expects to be back in Boston by July 1.
- She's shorter than I expected.
- We all expected she'd get the job - it was a real shock when she didn't.
- But just don, t expect me not to whinge about it.
- I hope you.won't expect me to discuss it.
- It might be expected that the percentage thinking that health had improved since their parents' time would increase with age.
- People expect lawyers to look this way.
- The Hindu of May 20 reported that the death toll in the coastal districts had reached 817 and was expected to rise.
- This week the company released new drilling results showing that nickel reserves are twice as large as expected.
- When he heard the heavy doors open, the loud voices, he knew what to expect.
Longman Language Activatorto expect something
if you expect something to happen, you think it probably will: · I'm expecting a fax from Korea. Has anything arrived yet?· Drivers should expect long delays on all roads out of town today.expect to do something: · I expected to find him in the bar, but he wasn't there.expect (that): · We all expected she'd get the job - it was a real shock when she didn't.expect somebody/something to do something: · Economists expect the economy to grow by 5% next year.fully expect (=confidently expect that something will definitely happen): · Perkins fully expects to be back in Boston by July 1.
to believe that something is likely to happen: think (that): · Do you think they'll come to the party?· I never thought her business would be so successful.think something is likely: · The builders said the job would be finished tomorrow, but I don't think that's likely.
to expect that something will happen, and be prepared for it - use this especially to say that something was different from what you had expected: · The journey took a lot longer than we had anticipated.anticipate that: · We had anticipated that interest rates would have fallen further by now.anticipate doing something: · I think we've fixed everything, and I don't anticipate finding any more problems.
what you say when you expect something to happen especially British /I guess especially American · Hasn't Tony arrived yet? He'll be here soon, I expect.I expect (that) · I expect your mother will be overjoyed when she hears you're having a baby.I expect/guess so · "Is Alan going to drive tonight?" "Yeah, I guess so."
informal use this to introduce something that you expect to happen because of what you know about someone or about the way things usually happen. I bet is more common than my bet is: I bet/my bet is (that): · I bet you'll miss your boyfriend when you go away for college.· Sandra says she's never going to have any children, but my bet is she has at least three.
use this when you have a feeling that something is going to happen, especially something bad or unpleasant: · You'll find Rick's parents rather hard to talk to, I suspect.I suspect (that): · I suspect that 10 years after the book is published, nobody will even remember the name of the author.
especially British also I should think British use this when you think something is likely to happen although you are not really sure: · It'll be cooler down by the lake, I would think.I would think (that): · I should think Sarah and Greg will be going to the party.I would/should think so: · "Will you have finished work by 6.30?'' "Oh yes, I should think so.''
say this when you think something may happen, even though other people think it is unlikely: · "Do you think they'll get married?" "I wouldn't be surprised."I wouldn't be surprised if: · You know, I wouldn't be surprised if some of the top executives lose their jobs.
formal use this to introduce something that you expect to happen because of information that you have: · My expectation is that the two companies will eventually come to an agreement.
to do something because you expect something to happen especially spoken to expect something to happen, so that you make plans or take actions that depend on it happening: · We had expected it to take about an hour to get home, but we hadn't reckoned on the traffic.reckon/figure on doing something: · Visitors to the city should figure on spending about $150 a day for food and lodging.reckon/figure on somebody doing something: · We can reckon on about 100 people coming to the meeting.
to expect something so much that your plans depend on it happening or you are completely prepared for it when it happens: · We're counting on good weather for the picnic - if it rains, we'll have to cancel.count on doing something: · The automaker is planning on earning large profits with this new model.count on somebody doing something: · Don't count on Congress passing the bill anytime soon.
especially written if you make plans or take actions in expectation or anticipation of something happening, you do this because you expect it to happen and you want to be prepared: · The workers have called off their strike in expectation of a pay settlement.· Residents are buying supplies and stacking wood in anticipation of the coming storms.
use this to tell someone not to be too sure that what they are hoping for will happen: · If you want to go on a date sometime, you can ask me. But don't count your chickens.· Getting an Oscar would be wonderful, but I think it's too early to count my chickens.
to make someone expect something to encourage someone to expect something, especially something that does not actually happen: · The hotel was horrible - not at all what we'd been led to expect.· I think his campaign promises led us all to expect he'd be a much more honest politician.
if something that someone says raises or arouses expectations , it makes people begin to expect something good or interesting: · A good manager raises expectations among employees.raise/arouse expectations of: · The prime minister's remarks aroused expectations of tax cuts.
expecting something good to happen someone who is optimistic expects good things to happen: · In spite of all her problems she manages to remain optimistic.· an optimistic economic forecastoptimistic about: · I'm pretty optimistic about our chances of winning here today.optimistic that: · Are you still optimistic that the climbers can be rescued?cautiously/guardedly optimistic (=expecting good things to happen but knowing that they might not happen): · We are cautiously optimistic that the trade deal will go through.overly optimistic (=more optimistic than you should be): · The company was overly optimistic in its sale projections.
someone who always expects good things to happen: · Optimists still believe we can resolve the problem without going to war.
expressing a cheerful attitude and showing that you expect to succeed, even though the situation may not be encouraging: · The senator took an upbeat view of the Republicans' chances in the next election.upbeat about: · Analysts are more upbeat about the long-term outlook for the economy.
expecting something bad to happen someone who is pessimistic always expects bad things to happen: · Don't be too pessimistic - we may still win the game.pessimistic about: · He's quite pessimistic about his chances of getting another job.pessimistic that: · Beron is pessimistic that a peaceful solution can be found.
someone who always expects bad things to happen: · Don't be such a pessimist - I'm sure you'll pass your driving test!
expressing an attitude that is not at all hopeful and showing that you do not expect success: · The latest economic surveys are more downbeat as a result of the recent decline in world trade.
not having or offering much hope for the future: · A year ago it seemed that a peace treaty looked possible, but now the outlook is much gloomier.· The world's largest chip maker gave a gloomy forecast for the first quarter.gloomy about: · Most political analysts are gloomy about the country's future.
formal to expect a situation to have the worst possible result because you know how bad the situation could be: · After I hadn't heard from him for several hours, I began to fear the worst.· Fearing the worst, police have called in reinforcements to help control the crowds.
when things happens in the way you expected if something happens as expected , it happens exactly in the way that people expected it to happen: · As expected, the three men were sentenced to life imprisonment.· Tulsa beat New Mexico as expected in last night's game.as was/had been expected: · Yesterday, as had been expected, the government announced its intention to launch a public enquiry.
if something that happens is no surprise or comes as no surprise , it is exactly as you expected, so you are not surprised by it: · After a series of scandals, Fleischman's resignation comes as no surprise.be no surprise/come as no surprise to: · Tina was shocked when she heard she was not being promoted, but it came as no surprise to the rest of us.be/come as no great surprise: · The fact that Brown has decided to run for reelection comes as no great surprise.it is/comes as no surprise that: · It's no surprise that Jeff and his wife are getting divorced.be no surprise/come as no surprise to hear/discover/find etc: · It was no surprise to hear that Joel had messed the whole thing up again.
happening as you expect - use this especially about someone's behaviour, when you think they are boring or stupid because they always do exactly what you expect: · My dad's so predictable - every evening he comes home, has two beers, and falls asleep in front of the TV.· The movie was completely predictable - I couldn't wait for it to end.
if something, especially something bad or unpleasant, is only to be expected , it is what you should expect in that situation: · A few mistakes were only to be expected when you're cooking something for the first time.it is only to be expected that: · When you're over 60, it's only to be expected that you can't do as much as you used to.
to be what you would normally expect to happen in a particular situation: · If you want to be a politician, a little criticism is par for the course.· It seems in some of those countries that political torture and assassination are par for the course.
spoken say this when something happens that you expected to happen: · I'm not surprised she left him - look at the way he treated her!· Of course I'm disappointed that we lost, but I'm not really surprised.
when something happens that you did not expect something that is unexpected surprises you because you did not expect it: · There have been unexpected delays on the freeway because of an accident.completely/totally unexpected: · Bobby's decision to leave the band was totally unexpected.
: unforeseen circumstances/problems/changes etc situations, problems, changes etc that you did not expect or prepare for, and which usually cause you difficulty: · We had to cancel our visit to Egypt because of unforeseen problems.· Once you have started the training you will not be allowed to leave, unless unforeseen circumstances arise.
if something that happens is a surprise or comes as a surprise , you did not expect it to happen, and so you are surprised by it: · Winning the award was a total surprise.be a surprise/come as a surprise to: · Fazio's announcement came as a surprise to most political observers.
informal if something happens out of the blue , you did not expect it, and you are very surprised or shocked by it: · Out of the blue, he asked me to come with him to Europe.· One evening, Angela phoned me out of the blue and said she was in some kind of trouble.
informal one that you did not expect, so that you are very surprised: · Mary's the last person you'd expect to be stopped for drunk driving· It's such a quiet little village - it's the last place you'd expect something like this to happen.
to happen or do something when someone is not expecting it and not ready to deal with it: · I was caught unawares by the hug and the kiss he gave me.· Her rude comments really caught me off guard.
formal if something happens contrary to expectations , it is the opposite of what people expected to happen: · Contrary to expectations, the play was a big success.contrary to somebody's expectations: · Michael won the competition, contrary to everyone's expectations.
happening unexpectedly, because no one was told about it: · Investigators from the health department made unannounced visits to the hospital in March.arrive unannounced/show up unannounced: · My brother is famous for showing up at our houses unannounced, usually around dinner time.
if something happens that you did not expect in your wildest dreams , it is so good that you never thought that there was any possibility that it could happen: · In our wildest dreams, we could not have expected how successful this program would be.never in somebody's wildest dreams: · Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined she would win the gold medal.
if you get more than you had bargained for , you have more problems or difficulties while doing something than you had expected or prepared for: · Their summer vacation turned out to be much more expensive than they'd bargained for.· We got more than we bargained for when we bought the house. There's so much work to be done!
when someone or something is expected · An expected crowd of 200,000 will take part in the march.· The expected increase in interest rates has already had an effect on stock prices.
a long-awaited event, book, film etc is one that people have been expecting for a long time: · Band members were celebrating the long-awaited release of their first album.· The court's long-awaited decision was unpopular with groups on both sides of the issue.
to be expected to happen, arrive, or be finished at a particular time: · When is your baby due?be due at: · The flight from New York is due at 10:30.be due in: · I've ruined the meal and our guests are due in half an hour!be due on: · The report is due on Monday, so we'll have to work over the weekend.be due to do something: · Federal employees are due to return to work on January 8.
having a baby developing in your body · The health centre provides milk and vitamins for pregnant women.· When our cat was pregnant she looked like a round, furry ball.get pregnant · We can't stop teens from having sex, but we can help them to avoid getting pregnant.pregnant with somebody · When I was pregnant with Mandy, I felt fat and unattractive.twenty weeks/three months etc pregnant · When Janette was three months pregnant, she caught flu.heavily pregnant British (=when the baby is almost ready to be born) · By this time I was heavily pregnant and could hardly get into any of my clothes.
to have a baby developing in your body - used especially when you are telling someone that you or another person is going to have a baby: · Isn't it wonderful that Susie's going to have a baby?· My boss is having a baby in March, but she's only taking two months maternity leave.· The doctor told Ellie that the tests were positive and she was going to have a baby.
spoken informal to have a baby developing inside you: · They'd only been married a couple of months and already Rebecca was expecting.
a woman who is going to have a baby: · Expectant mothers are entitled to free healthcare.· Expectant mothers sometimes have cravings for unusual foods.
also mum-to-be British informal a woman who is going to have a baby: · I hear you are now a mother-to-be.· For first time mothers-to-be, the importance of regular check-ups cannot be stressed enough.
typical behaviour or qualities behaviour or actions that are typical of a person are just what you usually expect them to do, especially when this is something bad or annoying: · "Dad forgot to mail the letter." "That's just typical!"· Mrs Quilley greeted the guests with typical charm and confidence.· This is typical adolescent behaviour - part of the process of becoming independent from your parents.it is typical of somebody to do something: · It's typical of Ramon to waste time when he knows we're already late.
very typical of a particular type of thing, or of someone's character or usual behaviour: · Each species of bird has its own characteristic song.· Larry, with characteristic generosity, invited everyone back to his house.characteristic of: · This pattern is characteristic of the local architecture.
if you say that something is just what you'd expect , you mean that it is exactly what your idea of someone makes you expect them to do: · Jenny's house is very clean and neat, just what you'd expect.· He was annoyed, but he soon got over it -- just what you'd expect, in fact.
if you say that someone's action or behaviour is just like them, you mean that it is typical of them in a way that annoys you: · You have left everything to the last minute. That's just like you.it is just like somebody to do something: · It's just like Uncle Roy to invite us all to lunch and then forget to tell Aunt Sarah.· It would be just like my son to get the measles twice.
used for saying that you are not surprised that someone has done something or behaved in a particular way, because it's the kind of thing they often do: · He was late, of course, but that's Tim all over.· "That's Dora all over," interrupted Rose with a sniff. "Once she gets an idea into her head, nothing will stop her."
if you say that someone does something true to form you mean it is very typical of them, especially when it is something annoying: · True to form, Oliver turned up late and drunk.· They promised to pay by Friday and yes, true to form, the money didn't arrive till Wednesday.
you say someone would do something when they do something that is typical of them and you want to criticize them for it: · "Janice is going to be late for the meeting." "She would be!"· "And then Harry got drunk." "He would do, wouldn't he!"
usual and expected for a particular person or type of person or a situation - you can often use this in humorous contexts: · It was a typical student's room with the inevitable Van Gogh print on the wall.· Dinner started with the inevitable chicken soup.· In the subway I got cornered by the inevitable drunkard wanting to give me some advice.
an action or remark that is in character is typical of someone's character: · Julie said that? That doesn't seem to be in character at all.· His reaction was quite in character. The man had no respect for education, and it was no surprise when he took his son out of school.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYadverbs He had led everyone to believe that his family was very wealthy. The hotel was terrible, and not at all what we had been led to expect. They’re discussing what to do next.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
(=completely)· We fully expected to win.
(=with a feeling of confidence)· He confidently expected to be elected again.
(=partly, but not completely)· He walked slowly towards the box, half expecting it to explode.
(=definitely)· I didn’t really expect her to come.
(=really expect)· Do you honestly expect me to look after the kids while you go on holiday?
(=almost not)· You can hardly expect a child of three to know the difference between right and wrong.
(=with good reason)· The public rightly expects government officials to be honest.
phrases (=in the way that was planned or thought likely to happen)· Tickets have not been selling as well as expected.
(=used to say that you are not surprised by something unpleasant)· After all this rain, some flooding is only to be expected.
· Bad luck tends to happen when you least expect it.
(=have the right to think something will happen)· You’re entitled to expect decent service at these prices.
· It’s unreasonable to expect a tenant to pay for repairs to the outside of the house.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES (=be pregnant)· My wife’s expecting a baby.
· She’s expecting a phone call from Matt.
He had led everyone to believe that his family was very wealthy. The hotel was terrible, and not at all what we had been led to expect.· Don’t expect miracles. A hairdresser can't make a 50-year-old look like a 20-year-old.
· Parents should not demand unquestioning obedience from their children.
· I know I can’t expect any sympathy from her!
They’re discussing what to do next.· Goldstein fully expects an Architecture-Neutral Distribution Format product programme to be initiated during 1994.· Any day now, we fully expect to hear some guy playing Sousa marches in his armpit.· Irene had fully expected that Douglas's move to a new branch would lead to promotion, but it hadn't happened.· I fully expect that Tony will end his career with the San Diego Padres.· She had fully expected to be dismissed the next morning, but nothing was said and she didn't ask.· She fully expected to be back in Boston July 1 for the opening of the vacation activities.· He was waiting to see you and fully expecting you would be there.· She fully expected to see her suitcases standing somewhere.
NOUN· Political analysts expect the Labor government to call the poll some time in February, about five weeks before it is held.· Heavy advertising has won candidate Forbes far more attention than political analysts expected he would get.· Henry Kaufman, the economist and investment analyst, might be expected to welcome the trend.· Most analysts had expected a loss.· But analysts expect the bullish trend to continue.· Cirrus had warned analysts to expect a significant shortfall.· To complete the turnaround at the Glasgow-based group, analysts are expecting a call on investors with a rights issue.· Many market analysts expect the sector to continue to climb in 1996, benefiting in part from the colder weather this winter.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► how do/can you expect ...?PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► England expects that every man will do his duty
- Hasn't Tony arrived yet? He'll be here soon, I expect.
- I expect you're right.
- I expect your mother will be overjoyed when she hears you're having a baby.
- But I expect it is the effects of expatriation.
- But this team surprises me. I expect us to go out and play well.
- Gosh darn it, I expected it to be done.
- I had not asked him for anything, nor had I expected anything.
- We had a sort of poet in this house once. I expect you'd think nothing to her.
- When I opened the frame I found, as I expected, that the drawing had been hinged with masking tape.
- With these memories, I expected Galway City, my destination, to be a hopeless, broken-down kind of place.
- Yes, I expect you did have to give a lot for your house.
- They're expecting their first child September 5.
- Did I really have it before I was expecting Annie?
- Having heard of his family's desire for an heir, she fantasised a little as to whether his wife might be expecting again.
- However, Perot supporters filed new petitions and are expecting an answer soon from the Ohio secretary of state.
- I was expecting them to go to three wide receivers..
- Just as everyone was expecting a draw, however, Yusupov made a an unexpected sacrifice of a bishop.
- One in five had received no training in the Act and most were expecting to receive none during the next six months.
- USAir, based in Arlington, Va., is expecting similar problems today.
- We are expecting a little action very soon.
- Nothing spectacular but what do you expect from beginners?!!!
- Sad about the Derwent but what can we expect?
- Sure, what do you expect for that kind of money?
- What can we expect in the future?
- What can you expect from those young people in the small towns.
- What do you expect from an also-ran business publication like Fortune?
- I like going to bed with her when going to bed with me is the last thing she wants.
- To be slipshod is to be hounded, which is the last thing he wants.
- With household costs inevitably rising, the last thing he wants is a larger mortgage than he can reasonably afford.
- Distillery boss Billy Hamilton fears the worst after Heath was assisted off in the second-half with a torn calf muscle.
- From what he has heard he fears the worst about the likelihood of a quick turnaround on the field.
- I knew I was being irrational but I began to fear the worst.
- Leading the mob assault into the fisherman's cabin, the pastor expects the worst.
- Only then did we begin to fear the worst.
- Quite frankly we expected the worst.
WORD FAMILYnounexpectancyexpectationadjectiveexpectantexpected ≠ unexpectedadverbexpectantlyunexpectedlyverbexpect
1think something will happen to think that something will happen because it seems likely or has been plannedexpect to do something I expect to be back within a week. The company expects to complete work in April.expect somebody/something to do something Emergency repairs were expected to take three weeks. I didn’t expect him to stay so long.expect (that) There’s the doorbell – I expect it’ll be my mother. He will be hard to beat. I fully expect (=am completely sure about) that and I’m ready. ‘Who are you?’ he murmured, only half expecting (=thinking it was possible, but not likely) her to answer. He didn’t get his expected pay rise.as expected (=in the way that was planned or thought likely to happen) As expected, the whole family was shocked by the news.something is (only) to be expected (=used to say that you are not surprised by something, especially something unpleasant) A little nervousness is only to be expected when you are starting a new job.2demand to demand that someone does something because it is a duty or seems reasonableexpect something from somebody The officer expects complete obedience from his troops.expect somebody to do something I can’t expect her to be on time if I’m late myself.expect a lot of somebody/expect too much of somebody (=think someone can do more than may be possible) The school expects a lot of its students.3think somebody/something will arrive to believe that someone or something is going to arrive: We’re expecting Alison home any minute now. Snow is expected by the weekend. an expected crowd of 80,000 people4think to think that you will find that someone or something has a particular quality or does a particular thing: I expected her to be taller than me, not shorter.5be expecting (a baby) if a woman is expecting, she is going to have a baby6what can/do you expect? spoken used to say that you are not surprised by something unpleasant or disappointing: He was late, but what do you expect?7how do/can you expect ...? spoken used to say that it is unreasonable to think that something will happen or be true: If I can’t help her, how can you expect to?8I expect British English spoken used to introduce or agree with a statement that you think is probably true: I expect you’re right. ‘Do you think they’re going to attack?’ ‘I expect so.’GRAMMAR: Patterns with expect• You expect to do something: · The team expects to win.• You expect someone to do something: · We didn’t expect them to come.• You expect that something will happen: · We expect that we will arrive at about midday.• You say that you expected that something would happen: · They had not expected that there would be so much traffic.• You say that something is expected to happen: · Sales are expected to reach $10 million.• In more formal English, you can also say it is expected that something will happen: · It is expected that sales will reach $10 million.• You can say you are expecting something. Expect is often used in the progressive: · I’m expecting a call from the hospital.• You can use the phrases I expect so or I don’t expect so, usually to give a short answer: · ‘Were they surprised?’ ‘I expect so.’· ‘Will it take long?’ ‘I don’t expect so.’ ✗Don’t say: I expect it.Grammar guide ‒ VERBSCOLLOCATIONSadverbsfully expect (=completely)· We fully expected to win.confidently expect (=with a feeling of confidence)· He confidently expected to be elected again.half expect (=partly, but not completely)· He walked slowly towards the box, half expecting it to explode.really expect (=definitely)· I didn’t really expect her to come.honestly expect (=really expect)· Do you honestly expect me to look after the kids while you go on holiday?hardly expect (=almost not)· You can hardly expect a child of three to know the difference between right and wrong.rightly expect (=with good reason)· The public rightly expects government officials to be honest.phrasesas expected (=in the way that was planned or thought likely to happen)· Tickets have not been selling as well as expected.something is (only) to be expected (=used to say that you are not surprised by something unpleasant)· After all this rain, some flooding is only to be expected.something happens when you least expect it· Bad luck tends to happen when you least expect it.somebody is entitled to expect something (=have the right to think something will happen)· You’re entitled to expect decent service at these prices.it is reasonable/unreasonable to expect something· It’s unreasonable to expect a tenant to pay for repairs to the outside of the house.- self-governing
- self-government
- self-harm
- self-help
- selfie
- self-image
- self-importance
- self-important
- self-importantly
- self-imposed
- self-improvement
- self-indulgence
- self-indulgent
- self-indulgently
- self-inflicted
- self-interest
- self-interested
- selfish
- selfishly
- selfishness
- self-knowledge
- selfless
- selflessly
- selflessness
- self-made