To Expect vs Expecting Infinitives & Gerunds

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To expect (Infinitive)

Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to expect" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action

Example

I don't expect to win the lottery, but it would be nice.

Expecting (Gerund)

Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "expecting" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.

Example

Expecting a baby can be both exciting and overwhelming.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To expect (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To expect success is important for achieving your goals.

  To expect success is important for achieving your goals.

  • "*To expect* success" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important for achieving your goals).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to expect the unexpected.

  She wants me to expect the unexpected.

  • "Me *to expect* the unexpected" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to expect* the unexpected).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a positive mindset to expect good outcomes.

  I need a positive mindset to expect good outcomes.

  • "*To expect* good outcomes" modifies the noun "mindset."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a positive mindset *to expect* good outcomes).

Expecting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Expecting a promotion is a great motivator.

  Expecting a promotion is a great motivator.

  • "*Expecting* a promotion" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a great motivator).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy expecting surprises on my birthday.

  I enjoy expecting surprises on my birthday.

  • "*Expecting* surprises on my birthday" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*expecting* surprises on my birthday).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of expecting disappointment.

  She has a fear of expecting disappointment.

  • "Of *expecting* disappointment" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *expecting* disappointment).

Verbs Taking Infinitives/Gerunds as Objects

The following are verbs that can take only the base form of the verb (infinitive), only the -ing form (gerund), or both.

Verbs Taking Infinitives as Objects

• plan
• hope
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

She plans to expect a difficult conversation with her boss.

They hope to expect a warm welcome from their friends.

He wants to expect a promotion at work.

We decided to expect delays during our trip.

They agreed to expect challenges along the way.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys expecting good news every day.

They recommend expecting the unexpected in life.

I dislike the feeling of expecting failure.

He avoids expecting too much from others.

Can you imagine yourself expecting a surprise party?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to expect the best outcome. She likes expecting positive changes.

We started to expect better results. We started expecting improvement.

He began to expect more from himself. He began expecting success.