await，wait

這兩個詞都是動詞，又都有“期待”、“等候”之意，但用法有所不同，它們的區別如下：

(一)await是及物動詞，后面直接接賓語;wait雖然也可用作及物動詞，但在現代英語中，一般作不及物動詞用，與for，to，till，until等詞連用。

(二)await的賓語大都是抽象名詞，如：decision，reply，arrival，announcement，return等;wait for的賓語一般是人或事物。

The judge awaits the coroner’s inquest before giving a verdict.

法官在作裁決前等待驗尸官的調查。

I have been waiting for her for an hour at the bus stop.

我在公共車站等候她已一小時了。

(三)await之后接動名詞;wait之后接動詞不定式。例如：

We shall await hearing further from them.

We shall wait to hear further from them.

我們在靜候他們進一步的消息。

(四)await多用于書面語;wait 多用于口語。如：

This plan awaits the approval of the board of directors.

這項計劃有待董事局批準。

I have been waiting here for a long time.

我已在這里等了好久了。

(五)wait 除作動詞外，還可用作名詞。例：

I had a long wait for the train.

我等火車等了好久。

They pursue a policy of wait and see.

他們采取等待和觀望的政策。

如上所述，wait在特定情況下也可以用作及物動詞，例如：to wait your turn;to wait one’s opportunity.

請注意下列句子中await和wait的使用場合：

We await (or wait for)your reply.

We wait for(不能用await)you to reply.

I shall wait to bring her home.(不能用await)

I await (or wait for)your ruling on the matter with some impatience.

當await的主語是沒有生命的事物而賓語是人時，await表示 be in store或lie in wait for之意。如：

On arriving at the guest house，he found a telegram awaiting him.

Little did he realize what a surprise awaited him at home.

A hearty welcome will await you.

請注意，Time and tide wait(s)for no man(歲月不待人)的wait既可以加s，亦可不加s.