Expecting events and actions

The idea

Use expect to do for your own action, expect someone to do for another person, and expect that before a clause.

Examples

• I expect to arrive before noon.
• We expect the guests to arrive soon.
• She expects that the shop will close early.
• They expect to finish the bridge this year.
• The team expects the rain to stop.
• I expect that the answer will surprise us.

Watch out

Do not use expect someone will: use expect someone to or a clause with that.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the correct form. I expect ___ hear from them tomorrow. (to / for)

   Show answer or example answer

   to

   to introduces the speaker’s anticipated action.

2. Choose the correct form. We expect our neighbor ___ return tonight. (to / that)

   Show answer or example answer

   to

   to introduces the neighbor’s return.

3. Choose the correct form. She expects ___ the road will be quiet. (that / to)

   Show answer or example answer

   that

   that introduces the clause about the road.

Use it today

Describe what you expect to happen tomorrow.