I'd like to know the difference between the two verbs since they seem to have the same meaning. When should I use await, and when wait?
Answer
Wait is an intransitive verb—it doesn't take a direct object; consequently it can't be cast into passive voice, and its past participle can't act as an adjective:
We are waiting eagerly. but
✲ We are waiting him.
✲ The event is waited.
✲ His eagerly waited arrival has been delayed.
Await is a transitive verb—it does take a direct object.
We await him eagerly.
The event is awaited.
His eagerly awaited arrival has been delayed.
Wait for may be treated as a transitive phrasal verb.
We are waiting for him.
But it is not ordinarily used in the passive voice. These are grammatically acceptable but sound a little odd.
? The event is waited for.
? His eagerly waited-for arrival has been delayed.
✲ marks a usage as unacceptable ? marks a usage as questionably acceptable
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