1064 - Wait vs Expect - What’s the Difference

1064 - Wait vs Expect - What’s the Difference

From Happy English Podcast by Michael DiGiacomo Happy English

June 10, 2026 · 8 min · Episode 1064

About this episode

This episode explores the differences between the words 'wait' and 'expect' in everyday English usage.

I’m waiting for the bus. I’m expecting a package tomorrow. We’re expecting guests this weekend. My teacher expects me to do my homework. Wait and expect. These seem like simple words, right? But they can be easy to mix them up. Like, what’s the difference between, “I’m waiting for you,” and, “I’m expecting you”? Why can we say, “I’m expecting a package,” but not, “I’m waiting a package”? And what does it mean when someone says, “We’re expecting guests”? Or even, “She’s expecting”? Yeah… there’s actually a lot going on here with these two words. So today, we’re going to look at how people really use wait and expect in everyday English. The Happy English Podcast Helping people speak English better since 2014 Over 1,000 episodes • 8 million downloads 📘 Build your vocabulary with my free Vocabulary Workshop https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/vocabulary-workshop-signup 🎥 Watch video versions of the Happy English Podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@HappyEnglishNY/podcasts 🌐 Learn more about my English lessons and courses https://www.myhappyenglish.com

People in this episode

Host: Michael DiGiacomo

Topics covered

  • language learning
  • wait vs expect
  • English vocabulary
  • everyday English usage
  • grammar differences

Keywords

  • wait
  • expect
  • English language
  • vocabulary
  • grammar
  • language education

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