两者均含有“等”之意,但是有区别:wait for (等候)通常指在一个地方呆着,不采取任何行动,一直等到某事发生,它主要强调时间的流逝且含有耽误之意,有时暗示某人来得太晚或某事发生得太迟等;而 expect(期待,预料)则指某事(可指好或不好的事)很可能会发生或到来,不强调时间的迟早,只说明一种心情。比较:
他在校门口等他母亲。
误:He was expecting his mother at the school gate.
正:He was waiting for his mother at the school gate.
我们在等乔治的来信。
误:We are waiting for a letter from George.
正:We are expecting [looking forward to] a letter from Goerge.
那么我 10 点整等你。
误:Then I’ll wait for you at exactly ten o’clock.
正:Then I’ll expect you at exactly ten o’clock.
◆摘自《中学英语高频词详解词典》◆
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