Hope vs expect vs wait: What's the difference? - English In A Minute

Hi! I'm Phil from BBC Learning English.

Today, I'm going to tell you the difference between

'expect', 'wait' and 'hope'.

They all talk about things in the future,

but they don't mean the same.

We use 'expect' to say that we think something is likely.

It's raining today, so I expect the traffic will be really bad.

When we talk about time passing,

we don't use 'expect', we use 'wait'.

I'm waiting for the rain to stop.

When we talk about wanting something to happen,

we don't use 'expect'.

We use 'hope'.

I hope it will be sunny tomorrow.

So just remember:

You expect what's likely.

Wait for things that take time.

And hope for things that you want to happen.

I expect you knew that,

but I hope you'll practise it.

I'm waiting for you to start... go on!