What is the past tense of "expect"?

The past simple of "expect" is "expected". I expect the train to arrive at 3 PM.

What is the past participle of "expect"?

The past participle of "expect" is "expected". Use it after have/has/had: "I have expected".

What is a common mistake with "expect"?

Wrong: "I expect you come to the meeting tomorrow.". Correct: "I expect you to come to the meeting tomorrow.". After expect with an object, use the to-infinitive form (to come), not the base verb.

Conjugation of "Expect" — All Forms, Examples, and Usage

Q: Is "expect" regular or irregular?

"Expect" is a regular English verb. Both past simple and past participle are formed by adding -ed.

Q: How do you pronounce "expect"?

/ɪkˈspɛkt/ — Stress the second syllable: ik-SPEKT. The first vowel is very short.

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All 12 Tenses of "Expect"

Quick reference table — every tense form of "expect" with the first-person example and a link to the grammar guide for that tense.

Tense	Example (I)	Quick rule
Simple Present	`I expect`	Used for habits, facts, routines, and permanent situations. Full rule →
Simple Past	`I expected`	Used for completed actions at a specific time in the past. Full rule →
Simple Future	`I will expect`	Used for predictions, decisions made at the moment, and promises. Full rule →
Present Continuous	`I am expecting`	Used for actions happening right now or temporary situations. Full rule →
Past Continuous	`I was expecting`	Used for actions in progress at a specific moment in the past. Full rule →
Future Continuous	`I will be expecting`	Used for actions that will be in progress at a specific future time. Full rule →
Present Perfect	`I have expected`	Used for past actions with present relevance, life experiences, or unfinished situations. Full rule →
Past Perfect	`I had expected`	Used for an action that was completed before another past action. Full rule →
Future Perfect	`I will have expected`	Used for an action that will be completed before a specific future time. Full rule →
Present Perfect Continuous	`I have been expecting`	Used for actions that started in the past and continue now, with focus on duration. Full rule →
Past Perfect Continuous	`I had been expecting`	Used for ongoing actions in the past that continued up to another past moment. Full rule →
Future Perfect Continuous	`I will have been expecting`	Used for actions that will have been ongoing up until a specific future time. Full rule →

Past Tense of "Expect" — Expected

The past simple of "expect" is "expected" — formed by adding "-ed". Use it for actions that were completed at a specific time in the past, such as "yesterday", "last week", or "in 2020". For the full grammar of this tense, see our simple past tense guide.

Past Participle of "Expect" — Expected

The past participle of "expect" is "expected" — the same form as the past simple, since "expect" is a regular verb. Use it after "have/has/had" for perfect tenses ("I have expected") and after "be" for passive voice ("It was expected").

Is "Expect" Regular or Irregular?

"Expect" is a regular English verb. Its past simple and past participle are both formed by adding "-ed" to give "expected". The 3rd-person singular present is "expects" and the gerund/present participle is "expecting".

Conjugation pattern: regular -ed

How to Pronounce "Expect" and Its Forms

Expect: /ɪkˈspɛkt/ — Stress pattern: oO

Stress the second syllable: ik-SPEKT. The first vowel is very short.

Common mispronunciation of "expect"

Learners often mispronounce the second vowel as /ɪ/ (ik-SPIKT) instead of /ɛ/ (ik-SPEKT).

Syllable breakdown: ex · pect

How to Use "Expect" — Common Grammar Patterns

Use expect when you believe something will happen. Often followed by to-infinitive or object + to-infinitive.

S + expect + noun
S + expect + to-infinitive
S + expect + object + to-infinitive

Example Sentences with "Expect" in Different Tenses

Simple Present: I expect the train to arrive at 3 PM. A2

Common Collocations with "Expect"

expect to — I expect to hear from him soon.
expect something — What do you expect from the job?
expect that — She expects that the project will finish on time.
expect a baby — They are expecting a baby in June.
as expected — As expected, he arrived late.

When to Use "Expect" vs Similar Verbs

Smart synonyms — when to use each one

anticipate — when you expect something and prepare for it
assume — when you expect something to be true without

Common Mistakes with "Expect"

Wrong: I am expecting you call me.
Correct: I am expecting you to call me. / I expect you to call me.
"Expect" usually takes "to + infinitive" or "that-clause", not bare infinitive.
Wrong: She expect a promotion this year.
Correct: She expects a promotion this year.
Add "s" for third-person singular.
Wrong: They expected him come on time.
Correct: They expected him to come on time.
"Expect someone to + infinitive" (object + to-infinitive).

Origin and Etymology of "Expect"

from Latin expectare, combining ex- (out) and spectare (to look)

Other Forms of "Expect"

Noun: expectation
Adjective: expected

Conjugation Tables for "Expect"

Negative Forms

Simple present: I do not expect · He does not expect
Simple past: I did not expect · She did not expect
Present perfect: I have not expected · He has not expected

Question Forms

Simple present: Do you expect? · Does he expect?
Simple past: Did you expect?
Present perfect: Have you expected?

Passive Voice (where applicable)

Simple present passive: It is expected
Simple past passive: It was expected
Present perfect passive: It has been expected

Frequently Asked Questions About "Expect"

Is "expect" regular or irregular?: "expect" is a regular verb. Add -ed for past simple and past participle: "expected".
What is the past tense of "expect"?: The simple past of "expect" is "expected".
When do I use simple present vs present continuous with "expect"?: Use simple present for habits, facts, and routines: "I expect every day." Use present continuous for actions happening right now: "I am expecting right now."
What's a common mistake with "expect"?: "Expect" usually takes "to + infinitive" or "that-clause", not bare infinitive. Wrong: "I am expecting you call me." Correct: "I am expecting you to call me. / I expect you to call me."