verb
1
BAD : After a few minutes he stopped speaking and expected their reaction.
GOOD : After a few minutes he stopped speaking and waited for their reaction.
BAD : She was standing by the reception desk, expecting a taxi.
GOOD : She was standing by the reception desk, waiting for a taxi.
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Use expect when you are talking about what someone thinks: 'We expected that the hotels in London would be very expensive, and we were right.' 'No one expected the President to resign.'
Use wait for when you are talking about what someone does: 'How long do you usually have to wait for a bus?' 'I sat down and waited for my name to be called.'
2
BAD : I expect that you will be able to come to the party.
GOOD : I hope that you will be able to come to the party.
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Use expect when you have a reason for thinking that something is going to happen: 'Her husband doesn't like travelling so I expect she'll come on her own.'
Use hope to express a wish: 'I hope you have a safe journey.'
3
BAD : I expect your visit and hope that you will be writing soon with the details.
GOOD : I'm looking forward to your visit and hope that you will be writing soon with the details.
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To say that you feel happy or excited about a future event, use look forward to : 'I'm really looking forward to this trip to Japan.' 'I look forward to meeting you at the Frankfurt Book Fair.'
Note that look forward to (NOT expect ) is often used at the end of a letter: 'I look forward to hearing from you.'
4
BAD : You can expect that you won't be put in the same class as Helga.
GOOD : You can't expect to be put in the same class as Helga.