Friday, May 20, 2016

verbs - What is the difference between "wait" and "await"?


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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