What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
anticipate
Example
I anticipate a fun weekend with my friends. [anticipate: verb]
Example
The students eagerly anticipated the school field trip. [anticipated: past tense]
expect
Example
I expect the package to arrive tomorrow. [expect: verb]
Example
She had high expectations for her performance in the competition. [expectations: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Expect is more commonly used than anticipate in everyday language. Expect is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while anticipate is less common and tends to be used in more formal or professional settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between anticipate and expect?
While anticipate is generally considered more formal or professional, expect is more commonly used in informal contexts. However, both words can be used in various formality levels depending on the specific context.
