about the word 'expect'

[Heidi]

Dear friends,

#1 He expects to fail the exam.
#2 He doesn't expect to pass the exam.

Would you please tell me whether those two sentences have exactly the same meaning?

What about if I want to express the idea that other people don't think he'll pass the exam? Do we usually say 'he isn't expected to pass the exam'?

Thank you!

[Drear Pooson]

Not a teacher.

I think the answer to your first question depends less upon the word expect and more upon whether you accept that passing an exam and failing an exam are the only two options (which, assuming he completes the exam, they probably are).

In regards to your second question, your proposal gets the point across, but it certainly isn't the only way to convey the idea.

"They don't expect him to pass the exam." is structured in a manner more nearly parallel to your previous sentences.


DP

[Heidi]

Not a teacher.

I think the answer to your first question depends less upon the word expect and more upon whether you accept that passing an exam and failing an exam are the only two options (which, assuming he completes the exam, they probably are).

In regards to your second question, your proposal gets the point across, but it certainly isn't the only way to convey the idea.

"They don't expect him to pass the exam." is structured in a manner more nearly parallel to your previous sentences.


DP

Sorry, I don't quite get what you mean. Please allow me ask the question this way: Does 'he doesn't expect to pass the exam' mean that he think he will not pass the exam?

[Drear Pooson]

Yes.


DP

[probus]

Dear friends,

#1 He expects to fail the exam.
#2 He doesn't expect to pass the exam.

Would you please tell me whether those two sentences have exactly the same meaning?

What about if I want to express the idea that other people don't think he'll pass the exam? Do we usually say 'he isn't expected to pass the exam'?

Thank you!

I think 1 and 2 are the same except that 2 allows the possibility that he might not even sit for the exam. Not much of a difference really.

I think "he isn't expected to pass" expresses perfectly the idea that other people think he won't make the grade.

[Heidi]

Yes.


DP

Thanks a lot! Drear Pooson.
I have another request.
"I expect to go there tomorrow" What are some possible questions that can match that answer? Thank you!

(through dialoges, I might understand the meaning of 'expect' better)

[Heidi]

I think 1 and 2 are the same except that 2 allows the possibility that he might not even sit for the exam. Not much of a difference really.

I think "he isn't expected to pass" expresses perfectly the idea that other people think he won't make the grade.

Thank you, probus.

Do you think 'he isn't expected to pass the exam' means about the same thing as 'they(other people) don't expect him to pass the exam'? If so, which is the more common way of conveying the idea?

[probus]

Do you think 'he isn't expected to pass the exam' means about the same thing as 'they(other people) don't expect him to pass the exam'? If so, which is the more common way of conveying the idea?

I do think the two expressions mean the same thing.

If the context is such that the people you are talking to know exactly who "they" are (perhaps his professors or his family), I would prefer the active voice. But if "they" just means people in general, the passive voice is fine.

[Drear Pooson]

Not a teacher.

Thanks a lot! Drear Pooson.
I have another request.
"I expect to go there tomorrow" What are some possible questions that can match that answer? Thank you!

(through dialoges, I might understand the meaning of 'expect' better)

"Will you be going to the bank soon?"
"Have you visited the art museum?"
"Have you been to the new Italian restaurant?"


DP

[Heidi]

I do think the two expressions mean the same thing.

If the context is such that the people you are talking to know exactly who "they" are (perhaps his professors or his family), I would prefer the active voice. But if "they" just means people in general, the passive voice is fine.

I get it! Thank you so much for your time!