Cool MateAwait vs We've been expecting a probe
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Await
Top 3,000 (common)C1verb
We've been expecting a probe
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Most common: Await
| Await | We've been expecting a probe | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈweɪt/","/əˈweɪts/","/əˈweɪtɪd/","/əˈweɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈweɪt/","/əˈweɪts/","/əˈweɪtɪd/","/əˈweɪtɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //wiːv bɪn ɪkˈspɛktɪŋ ə proʊb//🇺🇸 //wiːv bɪn ɪkˈspɛktɪŋ ə proʊb// |
| Meaning | to wait for something or someone | We thought a probe would come. |
| Example | He is in custody **awaiting trial**. | We've been expecting a probe to gather data on the planet. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | anxiously, breathlessly, nervously, long awaited | expect a response, expect an outcome, expect changes |
| Antonyms | depart, continue, proceed | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'await' without an object, e.g., 'I await.' should be 'I await your response.', 'Await for' is incorrect; 'await' does not take 'for'., Confusing with 'wait' which is more common in conversation. | Confuse 'expecting' with 'waiting for'., Misinterpret 'probe' as a verb only., Forget to use a continuous tense in similar sentences. |
| Usage notes | Used in formal contexts, often in writing. Not typical in casual speech. Don't confuse with 'wait for'—they are similar but 'await' is used without 'for'. | Use 'expecting' when anticipating something, common in both written and spoken English. 'Probe' can mean a device for exploration or an investigation. |
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Frequently asked questions: Await vs We've been expecting a probe
What's the difference between Await and We've been expecting a probe?
Await: to wait for something or someone We've been expecting a probe: We thought a probe would come.
Which is more common: Await and We've been expecting a probe?
Await is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Await: He is in custody **awaiting trial**. We've been expecting a probe: We've been expecting a probe to gather data on the planet.
Can I use Await and We've been expecting a probe interchangeably?
Not always. Await and We've been expecting a probe are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.