Expect vs. Hope: What's the Difference?

Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 2, 2023

Expect implies a strong belief that something will happen, whereas hope conveys a desire for a certain outcome to happen, usually without assurance.

Key Differences

Expect and hope are terms that reflect anticipation, but they diverge in the degree of certainty and desire involved. Expect denotes a belief that something will occur, usually based on reasoning, evidence, or experience, reflecting a sense of predictability and assurance. Conversely, hope represents a desire or wish for a particular outcome, often intertwined with uncertainty, where the outcome is not guaranteed but fervently wished for.

To expect is to anticipate an occurrence with a considerable degree of confidence, often stemming from previous encounters, established patterns, or credible information. It implies a form of projection grounded in logical reasoning or substantiated belief. Hope, meanwhile, is more aligned with emotional longing and aspirations, expressing a yearning for positive outcomes, especially in situations infused with doubt or ambiguity, reflecting optimism.

The action of expecting usually arises in situations where there’s a substantive basis or precedent, and it often requires a foundation of knowledge or experience. It is a forward-looking stance that leans on the probability of occurrence. Hope is more associated with emotional contexts, acting as a psychological balm in times of distress or uncertainty, and it doesn’t necessarily rely on the probability but on the possibility of a favorable outcome.

The concept of expectation implies an element of prediction, a foreseeing of events based on tangible grounds, making it somewhat calculative and analytical. In contrast, hope is a more sublime and abstract concept, deeply intertwined with individual feelings, desires, and spiritual beliefs, making it more personal and subjective, acting as a driving force in pursuing goals or facing challenges.

Although expect and hope have different nuances, they are intertwined in human experience as they relate to the anticipation of future events. Expectations are often mingled with hopes, especially when individuals anticipate positive outcomes, blending the analytical aspect of expecting with the emotional resilience imbued in hoping, both shaping human behavior and perspective in unique ways.

Comparison Chart

Point of Difference

Expect

Hope

Definition

Anticipation with confidence.

Desire with uncertainty.

Nature

Logical and analytical.

Emotional and aspirational.

Basis

Evidence or experience.

Possibility and wish.

Certainty

High degree of certainty.

No assurance of occurrence.

Usage

In situations with predictability.

In situations with uncertainty.

Expect and Hope Definitions

Expect

To consider something as likely to happen.

I expect he will come on time.

Hope

To look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence.

I hope you enjoy your stay.

Expect

To anticipate the occurrence of something.

We expect rain later today.

Hope

To wish for a particular event that one considers possible

We are hoping for more financial support.

Expect

To foresee or predict.

We did not expect such a drastic change.

Hope

(Archaic) To have confidence; trust.

Expect

To look forward to something that is likely to occur.

We expect a visit from our relatives.

Hope

To desire and consider possible

I hope that you will join us for dinner. We hope to buy a house in the spring.

Expect

To look forward to the probable occurrence or appearance of

Expecting a phone call.

Expects rain on Sunday.

Hope

The longing or desire for something accompanied by the belief in the possibility of its occurrence

He took singing lessons in the hope of performing in the musical.

Expect

To consider likely or certain

Expect to see them soon. See Usage Note at anticipate.

Hope

An instance of such longing or desire

Her hopes of becoming a doctor have not changed.

Expect

To consider reasonable or due

We expect an apology.

Hope

A source of or reason for such longing or desire

Good pitching is the team's only hope for victory.

Expect

To consider obligatory; require

The school expects its pupils to be on time.

Hope

Often Hope(Christianity) The theological virtue defined as the desire and search for a future good, difficult but not impossible to attain with God's help.

Expect

(Informal) To presume; suppose.

Hope

(Archaic) Trust; confidence.

Expect

To be pregnant. Used in progressive tenses

My wife is expecting again.

Hope

To want something to happen, with a sense of expectation that it might.

I hope everyone enjoyed the meal.

I am still hoping that all will turn out well.

Expect

(ambitransitive) To predict or believe that something will happen

I expect to be able to walk again after getting over my broken leg.

He never expected to be discovered.

We ended up waiting a little longer than we had expected

The doctor said he expected me to make a full recovery.

Hope

To be optimistic; be full of hope; have hopes.

Expect

To consider obligatory or required.

Hope

(intransitive) To place confidence; to trust with confident expectation of good; usually followed by in.

Expect

To consider reasonably due.

You are expected to get the task done by the end of next week.

Hope

To wish.

Expect

(continuous aspect only, of a woman or couple) To be pregnant, to consider a baby due.

Hope

The feeling of trust, confidence, belief or expectation that something wished for can or will happen.

I still have some hope that I can get to work on time.

After losing my job, there's no hope of being able to afford my world cruise.

There is still hope that we can find our missing cat.

Expect

To wait for; to await.

Hope

(countable) The actual thing wished for.

Expect

To wait; to stay.

Hope

(countable) A person or thing that is a source of hope.

We still have one hope left: my roommate might see the note I left on the table.

Expect

To wait for; to await.

Let's in, and there expect their coming.

Hope

The virtuous desire for future good.

Expect

To look for (mentally); to look forward to, as to something that is believed to be about to happen or come; to have a previous apprehension of, whether of good or evil; to look for with some confidence; to anticipate; - often followed by an infinitive, sometimes by a clause (with, or without, that); as, I expect to receive wages; I expect that the troops will be defeated.

The Somersetshire or yellow regiment . . . was expected to arrive on the following day.

Hope

A hollow; a valley, especially the upper end of a narrow mountain valley when it is nearly encircled by smooth, green slopes; a combe.

Expect

To wait; to stay.

Hope

A sloping plain between mountain ridges.

Expect

Expectation.

Hope

(Scotland) A small bay; an inlet; a haven.

Expect

Regard something as probable or likely;

The meteorologists are expecting rain for tomorrow

Hope

A sloping plain between mountain ridges.

Expect

Consider obligatory; request and expect;

We require our secretary to be on time

Aren't we asking too much of these children?

I expect my students to arrive in time for their lessons

Hope

A small bay; an inlet; a haven.

Expect

Look forward to the probable occurrence of;

We were expecting a visit from our relatives

She is looking to a promotion

He is waiting to be drafted

Hope

A desire of some good, accompanied with an expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable; an expectation of something which is thought to be desirable; confidence; pleasing expectancy.

The hypocrite's hope shall perish.

He wished, but not with hope.

New thoughts of God, new hopes of Heaven.

Expect

Consider reasonable or due;

I'm expecting a full explanation as to why these files were destroyed

Hope

One who, or that which, gives hope, furnishes ground of expectation, or promises desired good.

The Lord will be the hope of his people.

A young gentleman of great hopes, whose love of learning was highly commendable.

Expect

Be pregnant with;

She is bearing his child

The are expecting another child in January

I am carrying his child

Hope

That which is hoped for; an object of hope.

Lavina is thine elder brother's hope.

Expect

Look forward to the birth of a child;

She is expecting in March

Hope

To entertain or indulge hope; to cherish a desire of good, or of something welcome, with expectation of obtaining it or belief that it is obtainable; to expect; - usually followed by for.

But I will hope continually.

Expect

To regard something as due or requisite.

They expect an apology.

Hope

To place confidence; to trust with confident expectation of good; - usually followed by in.

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God.

Hope

To desire with expectation or with belief in the possibility or prospect of obtaining; to look forward to as a thing desirable, with the expectation of obtaining it; to cherish hopes of.

We hope no other from your majesty.

[Charity] hopeth all things.

Hope

To expect; to fear.

Hope

A specific instance of feeling hopeful;

It revived their hope of winning the pennant

Hope

The general feeling that some desire will be fulfilled;

In spite of his troubles he never gave up hope

Hope

Grounds for feeling hopeful about the future;

There is little or no promise that he will recover

Hope

Someone (or something) on which expectations are centered;

He was their best hope for a victory

Hope

United States comedian (born in England) who appeared in films with Bing Crosby (born in 1903)

Hope

One of the three Christian virtues

Hope

Expect and wish;

I trust you will behave better from now on

I hope she understands that she cannot expect a raise

Hope

Be optimistic; be full of hope; have hopes;

I am still hoping that all will turn out well

Hope

Intend with some possibility of fulfilment;

I hope to have finished this work by tomorrow evening

Hope

To desire with anticipation.

We hope for good weather tomorrow.

Hope

To wish for something with expectation of its fulfillment.

She hopes to win the competition.

Hope

To have confidence; trust.

There is still hope that he will come.

Hope

To feel that something desired may happen.

We hope that our friends are safe.

FAQs

Does expecting always involve certainty?

While expecting often involves a high degree of certainty, it is not absolute and can vary in strength.

Does hope impact mental well-being?

Yes, maintaining hope can significantly contribute to positive mental well-being and resilience in challenging times.

Can hope exist without expectation?

Yes, hope can exist even in the absence of a reasonable expectation, as it is often based on desire rather than certainty.

Is expecting stronger than hoping?

Yes, expecting generally conveys more certainty about an outcome, while hoping involves more uncertainty.

Is hope a form of optimism?

Yes, hope is closely related to optimism as it involves a positive outlook and desire for favorable outcomes.

Does expectation involve prediction?

Yes, expectation often involves predicting an outcome based on evidence or previous experience.

Is hoping always related to positive outcomes?

Generally, yes. People usually hope for positive or favorable outcomes, but it is possible to hope to avoid negative outcomes as well.

Can expectations be both positive and negative?

Yes, you can expect positive outcomes and also expect negative ones based on available information.

Can you expect and hope for something at the same time?

Absolutely, it's common to expect a certain outcome while also hoping for it or hoping for a different one.

Can unmet expectations lead to disappointment?

Yes, unmet expectations often lead to feelings of disappointment and frustration.

Can you expect something without wanting it?

Yes, expectation does not necessarily imply desire; one can expect undesirable outcomes.

Is expectation more about probability than possibility?

Generally, yes. Expectation is often based on the perceived probability of an event occurring, rather than just its possibility.

Does hoping imply a lack of control over outcomes?

Often, yes. Hope frequently arises in situations where individuals feel they have little or no control over the outcome.

Is it possible to manage or adjust expectations?

Yes, managing or adjusting expectations based on new information or reflection is often considered healthy and adaptive.

Can hope be unrealistic?

Yes, hope can sometimes be based on unrealistic or unlikely desires.

Reminiscence vs. Nostalgia

Bara vs. Yuri

About Author

Written by

Janet White

Janet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.

Edited by

Harlon Moss

Harlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.