Expect vs. Suppose — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 17, 2024
Expect involves anticipating a specific outcome based on reasons or evidence, while suppose assumes something as a possibility without certainty.
Difference Between Expect and Suppose
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Expect is used when there is a strong belief that something will happen, often based on evidence or previous experience. Whereas, suppose is more about making an assumption or hypothesis, which may not be backed by strong evidence.
Expect often carries a sense of preparation or looking forward to a particular event or outcome. On the other hand, suppose tends to imply a level of uncertainty and is frequently used in theoretical or speculative contexts.
Expect can also express a demand or requirement, as in what one expects from others in terms of behavior or performance. Whereas, suppose is rarely used in this context and remains more neutral, often reflecting mere contemplation rather than expectation.
In everyday usage, expect is often associated with future events that are seen as likely or desired. In contrast, suppose is commonly used to introduce a possibility that is not necessarily expected or seen as likely.
Expect is frequently used in formal and informal settings to convey anticipation or prediction with some level of confidence. On the other hand, suppose is typically more informal and is used to suggest scenarios without committing to their likelihood.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
To regard as likely to happen
To assume something is true without proof
Usage in Speech
Indicates anticipation or prediction
Indicates assumption or speculation
Connotation
Generally positive or neutral, implies readiness
Neutral, can imply doubt
Typical Contexts
Planning, forecasting, anticipating results
Hypothesizing, discussing possibilities
Certainty Level
High, based on evidence or likelihood
Low, often used for tentative possibilities
Compare with Definitions
Expect
To anticipate or look forward to the occurrence of something.
She expects to hear from them soon.
Suppose
To expect or require under certain conditions.
He's supposed to arrive by 8:00 PM.
Expect
To regard someone as likely to do or achieve something.
We expect him to win the award.
Suppose
To believe or consider as a possibility.
I suppose he could be late due to the traffic.
Expect
To consider probable or certain.
You can expect a high score if you study hard.
Suppose
To consider hypothetically.
Suppose you won the lottery; what would you do?
Expect
To demand or require as a part of an agreement.
The job expects punctuality from all its employees.
Suppose
To assume without strong evidence.
Suppose there's life on other planets.
Expect
To consider something as a due obligation.
I expect your best effort on this project.
Suppose
To use as a hypothesis in an argument.
Let's suppose for a moment that you're right.
Expect
Expect is an extension to the Tcl scripting language written by Don Libes. The program automates interactions with programs that expose a text terminal interface.
Suppose
Think or assume that something is true or probable but lack proof or certain knowledge
I suppose I got there about noon
He supposed the girl to be about twelve
Expect
Regard (something) as likely to happen
One might expect that Hollywood would adjust its approach
It's as well to expect the worst
The hearing is expected to last a week
Suppose
Be required to do something because of the position one is in or an agreement one has made
I'm supposed to be meeting someone at the airport
Expect
To look forward to the probable occurrence or appearance of
Expecting a phone call.
Expects rain on Sunday.
Suppose
To assume to be true or real for the sake of argument or explanation
Suppose we win the lottery.
Expect
To consider likely or certain
Expect to see them soon. See Usage Note at anticipate.
Suppose
To believe, especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
Scientists supposed that large dinosaurs lived in swamps.
Expect
To consider reasonable or due
We expect an apology.
Suppose
To consider to be probable or likely
I suppose it will rain.
Expect
To consider obligatory; require
The school expects its pupils to be on time.
Suppose
To imply as an antecedent condition; presuppose
"Patience must suppose pain" (Samuel Johnson).
Expect
(Informal) To presume; suppose.
Suppose
To consider as a suggestion
Suppose we dine together.
Expect
To be pregnant. Used in progressive tenses
My wife is expecting again.
Suppose
To imagine; conjecture.
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.
Suppose
(transitive) To take for granted; to conclude, with less than absolute supporting data; to believe.
I suppose we all agree that this is the best solution.
Expect
To consider obligatory or required.
Suppose
(transitive) To theorize or hypothesize.
Suppose that A implies B and B implies C. Then A implies C.
Expect
To consider reasonably due.
You are expected to get the task done by the end of next week.
Suppose
(transitive) To imagine; to believe; to receive as true.
Expect
(continuous aspect only, of a woman or couple) To be pregnant, to consider a baby due.
Suppose
To reckon to be, to account or esteem as.
Expect
To wait for; to await.
Suppose
(transitive) To require to exist or to be true; to imply by the laws of thought or of nature.
Purpose supposes foresight.
Expect
To wait; to stay.
Suppose
(transitive) To put by fraud in the place of another.
Expect
To wait for; to await.
Let's in, and there expect their coming.
Suppose
To represent to one's self, or state to another, not as true or real, but as if so, and with a view to some consequence or application which the reality would involve or admit of; to imagine or admit to exist, for the sake of argument or illustration; to assume to be true; as, let us suppose the earth to be the center of the system, what would be the result?
Suppose they take offence without a cause.
When we have as great assurance that a thing is, as we could possibly, supposing it were, we ought not to make any doubt of its existence.
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.
Suppose
To imagine; to believe; to receive as true.
How easy is a bush supposed a bear!
Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men, the king's sons; for Amnon only is dead.
Expect
To wait; to stay.
Suppose
To require to exist or to be true; to imply by the laws of thought or of nature; as, purpose supposes foresight.
One falsehood always supposes another, and renders all you can say suspected.
Expect
Expectation.
Suppose
To put by fraud in the place of another.
Expect
Regard something as probable or likely;
The meteorologists are expecting rain for tomorrow
Suppose
To make supposition; to think; to be of opinion.
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
Suppose
Supposition.
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
Suppose
Express a supposition;
Let us say that he did not tell the truth
Let's say you had a lot of money--what would you do?
Expect
Consider reasonable or due;
I'm expecting a full explanation as to why these files were destroyed
Suppose
Expect, believe, or suppose;
I imagine she earned a lot of money with her new novel
I thought to find her in a bad state
He didn't think to find her in the kitchen
I guess she is angry at me for standing her up
Expect
Be pregnant with;
She is bearing his child
The are expecting another child in January
I am carrying his child
Suppose
To believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds;
Scientists supposed that large dinosaurs lived in swamps
Expect
Look forward to the birth of a child;
She is expecting in March
Suppose
Take for granted or as a given; suppose beforehand;
I presuppose that you have done your work
Suppose
Require as a necessary antecedent or precondition;
This step presupposes two prior ones
Common Curiosities
Is suppose based on evidence?
Suppose does not necessarily rely on evidence; it often explores theoretical or potential situations.
Can expect be used when there's no certainty?
Expect typically implies a level of certainty about future events, though it's not absolute.
What does it mean to expect something?
Expecting something means you believe it will occur based on reasons or previous indications.
How do the meanings of expect and suppose differ in everyday conversation?
In conversation, expect conveys stronger belief or anticipation, while suppose discusses less certain possibilities.
Is it correct to say, "I suppose I will go"?
Yes, it suggests a tentative decision or mild agreement to do something.
Can suppose and expect be used interchangeably?
They are not generally interchangeable due to differences in the level of certainty and context.
How is suppose different from expect?
Suppose involves considering possibilities without certainty, whereas expect involves anticipation based on reasoning or evidence.
Which is more speculative, expect or suppose?
Suppose is more speculative, as it often involves assumptions without firm evidence.
How does formal usage differ between expect and suppose?
Expect is formal and used in serious contexts like business or personal expectations, while suppose is less formal and used in theoretical discussions.
What is a common context for using expect?
Expect is commonly used in contexts involving future events, planning, or requirements.
What type of context is suppose used in?
Suppose is often used in hypothetical discussions or when imagining scenarios.
What emotional connotation does expect carry?
Expect can carry a positive or demanding tone, depending on the context.
Does suppose imply any emotional tone?
Suppose generally carries a neutral tone, indicating speculation or assumption.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Gage vs. Glove
Next Comparison
Additional vs. IncrementalAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
