expect
gb/ɪkspˈɛkt/ us/ɪkspˈɛkt/
A2
English
~ 400
számít, elvár, babát vár, terhes
VERB
A2
1
számít
B1
Usage pattern:
to expect [something] to [verb]
We expect the train to arrive on time.
Arra számítunk, hogy a vonat időben megérkezik.
I expect she'll call me later today.
Arra számítok, hogy még ma felhív.
They expect prices to rise next year.
He expects to finish the project by Friday.
Learner examples
I expect it will rain tomorrow.
Arra számítok, hogy holnap esni fog.
She expects to see her friend.
Arra számít, hogy találkozni fog a barátjával.
We expect the bus at 8 o'clock.
They expect to win the game.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'expect' with 'hope'; 'hope' expresses desire, while 'expect' expresses belief about likelihood.
Meaning
Believe something will happen
Collocations
expect results
|expect trouble
|expect a call
|expect rain
Synonyms
anticipate (Slightly more formal; often implies preparing for something.)
Antonyms
doubt (Means to feel uncertain or believe something is unlikely.)
Themes
daily life
|thinking
|predictions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To think that something will happen.
To think or believe that something is likely to happen or be true in the future.
VERB
B1
2
elvár
B1
Usage pattern:
to expect [someone] to [verb]
The teacher expects all students to complete their homework.
A tanár elvárja, hogy minden diák elkészítse a házi feladatát.
We expect employees to arrive on time.
Elvárjuk, hogy az alkalmazottak pontosan érkezzenek.
Parents expect their children to be polite.
Learner examples
My boss expects me to work hard.
A főnököm elvárja tőlem, hogy keményen dolgozzak.
The coach expects us to practice every day.
Az edző elvárja tőlünk, hogy mindennap eddzünk.
They expect students to wear uniforms.
Common mistake:
Learners may forget to use 'to' before the verb after 'expect someone' (e.g., 'expect him do' instead of 'expect him to do').
Meaning
Require as duty or standard
Collocations
expect punctuality
|expect good behavior
|expect payment
Synonyms
demand (Stronger and more forceful than 'expect'.)
Antonyms
allow (Means to permit without requiring something.)
Themes
rules
|work
|relationships
|law
Definition
To say or think that someone must do something.
To demand or require someone to do something as part of a rule, duty, or standard.
VERB
A2
3
Usage pattern:
to be expecting [a baby/child]
She's expecting a baby in June.
Júniusra várja a babát.
They just announced they're expecting their first child.
Most jelentették be, hogy első gyermeküket várják.
My sister is expecting twins.
Learner examples
She is expecting a baby.
Babát vár.
My friend is expecting her first child.
A barátnőm az első gyermekét várja.
They are expecting twins.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with the general meaning of 'expect'; context about pregnancy is needed.
Meaning
Be pregnant and awaiting childbirth
Collocations
expect a baby
|expect twins
Synonyms
be pregnant (More direct; 'expecting' is softer and more common in conversation.)
Themes
family
|health
|body
Definition
To be going to have a baby soon.
To be pregnant and waiting for the birth of a child.
Grammar
Dictionary form
expect
IPA
GB/ɪkspˈɛkt/
US/ɪkspˈɛkt/
Syllables & stress
ex - pect (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pect)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: expect
- 3rd Person Singular: expects
- Present Participle: expecting
- Past: expected
Word family
Forms
expects
verb
expecting
verb
expected
verb
Core family
expectation
noun B1
Related words
expectant
adjective
expectantly
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
unexpected
adjective B1
unexpectedly
adverb B1
Advanced or less common
expectancy
noun B2
Expressions
as expected
1/ˈæz ɪkspˈɛktɪd/
fixed phrase
Happened as predicted
Happened like people thought it would.
Examples
- As expected, the meeting ran over time.
- The test was, as expected, quite difficult.
expect the worst
1/ɪkspˈɛkt ðə wˈɚst/
fixed phrase
Prepare for bad outcome
To think that the most bad thing will happen.
Examples
- When traveling in winter, we always expect the worst and pack extra supplies.
- She tends to expect the worst in any situation.
what do you expect?
1/wˈʌt dˈu jˈu ɪkspˈɛkt ‖/
fixed phrase
informal
Rhetorical: outcome was inevitable
Used to say that something is not surprising.
Examples
- He was late again—what do you expect?
- The food was cold, but what do you expect at that price?