Anticipating events and difficulties

The idea

Use anticipate with a noun, a clause introduced by that, or an -ing form. It can suggest preparation, but does not always mean action was taken.

Examples

• We anticipated heavy traffic and left early.
• The nurse anticipates that the clinic will be busy tomorrow.
• I anticipate needing more time to finish the report.
• The team anticipated a difficult question and prepared an answer.
• Farmers anticipate a dry summer, so they are saving water.
• Maya did not anticipate how quickly the tickets would sell out.

Watch out

Do not follow anticipate with an infinitive: say anticipate needing, not anticipate to need.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the correct answer. The organisers ___ delays, so they hired extra staff. (anticipated / anticipates)

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   anticipated

   anticipated places the organisers’ expectation in the past.

2. Choose the correct answer. We anticipate ___ more volunteers next month. (needing / to need)

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   needing

   needing is the form that follows the verb here.

3. Choose the correct answer. The guide anticipated ___ the path might be icy. (that / to)

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   that

   that introduces the expected situation.

Use it today

Describe a problem you anticipate and how you might prepare.