1774 problem verbs v wait for hope expect look forward to

Wait for, Hope, Expect and Look
forward to

It means to pass time until something
which we believe certain happens.

It is used when we want something to
happen but there is no certainty.

Tom is waiting for her girlfriend. Her
flight arrives in ten minutes.

I hope the bus will arrive soon. I don’t
want to be late for work.

In this case we believe something will
happen because it seems likely or has
been planned.

In this case we are not speaking about
probability or certainty, we are thinking
only of the pleasure that we are going
to have.

(A woman at the hairdresser’s):
At these prices, I expect that my hair
will look terrific!

I’m really looking forward to seeing
my grandchildren again.

Complete the following sentences with wait for,
hope, expect or look forward to
in the correct form and tense.
1. I do …….… he will not get hurt.
2. I had a telegram yesterday and I am ……….. him at three o’clock.
3. I am definitely not ……………… the examinations. I’ve had no time to study.
4. I …………. very much that you will agree to these proposals.
5. I …………. Roger will stay for dinner, but I know he’s a very busy man.
6. Oh, dear! I ………… Sarah will stay for dinner, she always does.
7. They are always …………. to win the lottery, but I don’t ………….. they will.
8. The doctor came a few minutes ago and she is ………….. there is nothing
wrong with the children.
9. ‘Can he mend the car?’ ‘I …..…….. so. He’s a very good mechanic.’
10. Who are you ……………………? The others all left some time ago.
11. Carly

…………..…. ten minutes, because she was ……………….. her

boyfriend to come.
12. Are you ………………….. your birthday?
13. Please ………………… me, I won’t be long.
14. We …………….. him yesterday, but he never came.
15. I am …………….. them at 10.

But I certainly won’t …………… them if

they’re late.
16. We …………… him for three hours, but he never came.
17. I think she has given up ………..…… he will return, but she still ……………

he will.
18. Do you mind ………….. me while I get my things?
19. I ….…………. I’ll have to go to the dentist soon, but I’m certainly not
…………….. it.
20. Joan is …………………… getting married.
disappointed.

I ………………. she’s not

However, her future husband is a good person and I

………….. it will turn out all right.


ANSWER KEY
1. hope
2. expecting
3. looking forward to
4. hope
5. hope
6. expect
7. hoping - expect
8. hoping
9. expect
10. waiting for
11. waited - expecting
12. looking forward to
13. wait for
14. expected
15. expecting – wait for

16. waited for
17. expecting - hopes
18. waiting for
19. expect – looking forward to
20. looking forward to – hope - expect