Hello everyone! Await & Wait. What is the difference?
Sometimes I get confused when it comes to use those words Await and wait I haven't fully gotten the meaning of them.is it the same or is there a difference? Thanks
6 Answers
wait and await
The verb 'await' must have an object - for example, 'I am awaiting your answer'. And the object of 'await' is normally inanimate, not a person, and often abstract. So you can't say, 'John was awaiting me'.
The verb 'wait' can come in different structures. Firstly, you can just use 'wait' on its own: 'We have been waiting and waiting and waiting and nobody has come to talk to us.'
The other difference between the two verbs, 'wait' and 'await', is the level of formality. 'Await' is more formal than 'wait' - it would be used in formal letters, for example.
If you want a tip about using these two verbs, I would suggest that you should use 'wait for'; use 'await' only in cases where you are absolutely sure that you have heard good users of the language using it, and in cases where things are quite formal.
Wait + for
Await + object
I am waiting for the day I will see you again.
I am awaiting the day I will see you again.
Sometimes "Await" is followed by "on," ie: "He is awaiting on you all to awaken and see the light."
Here are some examples from my dictionary.
wait - verbo, sustantivo
wait (for sb/sth) - esperar (a algn/algo)
I’m waiting for my sister. / Estoy esperando a mi hermana.
to wait for a train esperar un tren
Wait a minute… / Un momento…
I can’t wait to see her again. / Tengo muchas ganas de volver a verla.
repairs while you wait / reparaciones en el acto to wait your turn / esperar tu turno
await - verbo transitivo (formal)
estar en espera de
to await trial / estar a la espera de juicio
estar pendiente de
The case is awaiting review. / El caso está pendiente de revisión.
aguardar
A surprise awaited us. / Nos aguardaba una sorpresa.
To "await" is the act of waiting for something.
I will await your arrival at the airport. Await is always a verb.
"Wait" is to stay where one is or delay action until something else happens.
Waitfor me outside the store Wait can be a noun [the period of waiting] or the verb [the definition above].
A good dictionary is here.
I suspect there is a gramatic differnce, but a good working rule is that await is more formal. Most native Engish speakers will not use await except at the end of a letter or e-mail such as "I await your response." I hope this helps.
