expect

The company is expecting record sales this year.

Change often happens when you least expect it.

expect something from somebody/something

Don't expect sympathy from me!

expect something of somebody/something

That's not the sort of behaviour I expect of you!

expect to do something

They never expected to find their dream home.

I looked back, half expecting to see someone following me.

expect somebody/something to do something

Analysts expect the company to announce growth of at least 5 per cent.

I fully expected her to refuse my offer.

House prices are expected to rise sharply.

Do you really expect me to believe you?

expect (that)…

Many people were expecting (that) the peace talks would break down.

it is expected that…

It is widely expected that interest rates will rise.

Collocations

adverb

verb + expect

preposition

phrases

expect somebody/something

to expect a visit/call/letter from somebody

We were expecting him yesterday.

They are not expected until tomorrow.

Are you expecting visitors?

I'm expecting an important call.

expect somebody to do something

We were expecting him to arrive yesterday.

expect something

It is reasonable to expect changes in the way we work.

No one has a right to expect good results without working hard.

These are the high standards that hotel guests have come to expect.

expect something from somebody

He's still getting over his illness, so it's unrealistic to expect too much from him.

expect something of somebody

Are you clear what is expected of you?

expect somebody to do something

You can't reasonably expect people to pay such high taxes.

We are expected to work on Saturdays.

It would be unreasonable to expect them to do all that work for free.

expect to do something

I expect to be paid promptly for the work.

‘Will you be late?’ ‘I expect so.’

‘Are you going out tonight?’ ‘I don't expect so.’

expect (that…)

‘Who’s eaten all the cake?’ ‘Tom, I expect/I expect it was Tom.’

‘That’ is nearly always left out.

Idioms

Word Origin