Expect vs. Anticipate: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Expect implies confidently believing or considering it likely that something will happen, while anticipate involves taking action in preparation for an expected event.
Key Differences
Expectation denotes a strong belief that something will happen or be the case, often based on evidence or experience. Anticipation, on the other hand, not only implies expecting something but also involves mental or practical preparation for that event.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
While expect often implies a passive stance, merely waiting for an outcome, anticipate suggests a more active role, including readiness or preventive measures for expected scenarios.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Expectation can exist without any accompanying actions; one can expect rain but not necessarily take any steps in response. Anticipation, in contrast, usually involves proactive behaviors, like carrying an umbrella in expectation of rain.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
In communication, telling someone you expect something often implies a demand or prediction, whereas to anticipate connotes a readiness or foresight, preparing for different potential outcomes.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
In a business context, expecting market changes is a predictive assessment, while anticipating them would involve strategic planning or adjustments in anticipation of these changes.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Nature
Belief or prediction about a future event
Preparation and action for an expected event
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Context Use
Common in expressing beliefs or predictions
Common in discussing readiness or preparation
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Emotional Connotation
Generally neutral
Often implies eagerness or preparedness
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
In Business
Predictive analysis, e.g., sales forecasting
Proactive strategy, e.g., market trend analysis
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Expect and Anticipate Definitions
Expect
To consider something likely to happen.
I expect he will arrive soon.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Anticipate
To foresee and act in advance.
She anticipated the storm by boarding up windows.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Expect
To regard something as likely to occur.
She expects rain later today.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Anticipate
To look forward to with eagerness.
They anticipate their vacation eagerly.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Anticipate
To prevent or forestall.
Anticipating objections, she prepared a counterargument.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Anticipate
To consider beforehand.
He anticipated potential challenges in the project.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Anticipate
To see as a probable occurrence; expect
We hadn't anticipated the crowds at the zoo. I anticipated that you might be in a hurry.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Expect
To look forward to the probable occurrence or appearance of
Expecting a phone call.
Expects rain on Sunday.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Anticipate
To think of (a future event) with pleasure; look forward to
She anticipated a pleasant hike in the country.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Expect
To consider likely or certain
Expect to see them soon. See Usage Note at anticipate.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Anticipate
To deal with beforehand; act so as to mitigate, nullify, or prevent
We anticipated the storm by boarding up the windows.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Anticipate
To react to (someone) abruptly, especially to prevent someone from continuing or progressing
"Immediately he regretted his words and started to add.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Expect
To consider obligatory; require
The school expects its pupils to be on time.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Anticipate
To act in a way that blocks or vitiates the action of (another)
"Professor Thomson had anticipated me and had obtained many patents on this principle" (Nikola Tesla).
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Anticipate
To serve as a forerunner to or previous indication of
Her research in the previous decade anticipated these findings.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Expect
To be pregnant. Used in progressive tenses
My wife is expecting again.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Expect
(ambitransitive) To predict or believe that something will happen
I expect to be able to walk again after getting over my broken leg.
He never expected to be discovered.
We ended up waiting a little longer than we had expected
The doctor said he expected me to make a full recovery.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Expect
To consider reasonably due.
You are expected to get the task done by the end of next week.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Anticipate
(transitive) To act before (someone), especially to prevent an action.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Expect
(continuous aspect only, of a woman or couple) To be pregnant, to consider a baby due.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Anticipate
To take up or introduce (something) prematurely.
The advocate plans to anticipate a part of her argument.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Anticipate
To know of (something) before it happens; to expect.
To anticipate the pleasures of a visit
To anticipate the evils of life
Please anticipate a journey of an hour from your house to the airport
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Anticipate
To eagerly wait for (something)
Little Johnny started to anticipate the arrival of Santa Claus a week before Christmas.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Anticipate
To be before in doing; to do or take before another; to preclude or prevent by prior action.
To anticipate and prevent the duke's purpose.
He would probably have died by the hand of the executioner, if indeed the executioner had not been anticipated by the populace.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Expect
To look for (mentally); to look forward to, as to something that is believed to be about to happen or come; to have a previous apprehension of, whether of good or evil; to look for with some confidence; to anticipate; - often followed by an infinitive, sometimes by a clause (with, or without, that); as, I expect to receive wages; I expect that the troops will be defeated.
The Somersetshire or yellow regiment . . . was expected to arrive on the following day.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Anticipate
To take up or introduce beforehand, or before the proper or normal time; to cause to occur earlier or prematurely; as, the advocate has anticipated a part of his argument.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Anticipate
To foresee (a wish, command, etc.) and do beforehand that which will be desired.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Anticipate
To foretaste or foresee; to have a previous view or impression of; as, to anticipate the pleasures of a visit; to anticipate the evils of life.
Good with badExpect to hear; supernal grace contendingWith sinfulness of men.
I would not anticipate the relish of any happiness, nor feel the weight of any misery, before it actually arrives.
Timid men were anticipating another civil war.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Expect
Regard something as probable or likely;
The meteorologists are expecting rain for tomorrow
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Anticipate
Regard something as probable or likely;
The meteorologists are expecting rain for tomorrow
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Expect
Consider obligatory; request and expect;
We require our secretary to be on time
Aren't we asking too much of these children?
I expect my students to arrive in time for their lessons
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Expect
Look forward to the probable occurrence of;
We were expecting a visit from our relatives
She is looking to a promotion
He is waiting to be drafted
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Expect
Consider reasonable or due;
I'm expecting a full explanation as to why these files were destroyed
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Anticipate
Make a prediction about; tell in advance;
Call the outcome of an election
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Expect
Be pregnant with;
She is bearing his child
The are expecting another child in January
I am carrying his child
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Anticipate
Be a forerunner of or occur earlier than;
This composition anticipates Impressionism
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Anticipate
To act in preparation for something.
He anticipated the question with a detailed answer.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is expecting always about something positive?
No, expecting can refer to both positive and negative outcomes.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Is expecting more about attitude than action?
Yes, expecting is often more about one's mindset or belief.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Does anticipation require experience?
Experience can enhance anticipation, but it's not always necessary.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Is anticipation always conscious?
Not always. Some forms of anticipation can be subconscious.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Can you anticipate something without expecting it?
Yes, you can anticipate (prepare for) scenarios that you may not necessarily expect (believe will happen).
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Can we anticipate without knowing specifics?
Yes, general anticipation can occur without knowing specific details.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Is anticipation always followed by action?
Generally, yes. Anticipation usually involves some form of preparation or action.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Can expectations change over time?
Yes, expectations can evolve with new information or circumstances.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Is anticipation a skill?
Yes, anticipation can be seen as a skill, especially in contexts like business or sports.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Does culture influence what we expect?
Yes, cultural norms and values can shape expectations.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Can animals anticipate or expect?
Animals can show behaviors indicating basic forms of anticipation or expectation.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Do expectations always lead to disappointment?
Not always, but unmet expectations can sometimes lead to disappointment.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Are expectations important for goal setting?
Yes, setting realistic expectations is crucial in goal setting and planning.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Can technology help in anticipation?
Yes, technology can assist in predicting and preparing for future events.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Can anticipation reduce stress?
Yes, by preparing in advance, anticipation can reduce stress.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Is it possible to over-anticipate?
Yes, over-anticipating can lead to unnecessary worry or over-preparation.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Do expectations affect relationships?
Yes, expectations can significantly impact interpersonal relationships.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Can anticipation be taught?
Yes, skills related to anticipation can be developed and taught.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Are expectations always based on reality?
Expectations are not always realistic; they can be influenced by hopes or fears.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Is it possible to expect without reasoning?
Yes, some expectations can be intuitive or based on feelings rather than logic.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
Share this page
Link for your blog / website
HTML
Link to share via messenger
About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
Shumaila Saeed
Hifza Nasir
