Adjectives of expectation are essential for expressing what we anticipate, predict, or look forward to. They add nuance and precision to our communication, allowing us to convey not just facts, but also our attitudes and feelings about potential future events.
Mastering these adjectives is crucial for anyone aiming to communicate effectively and accurately in English. This article provides a comprehensive exploration of adjectives of expectation, covering their definition, structure, usage, common mistakes, and advanced applications.
Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this guide will help you confidently incorporate these powerful adjectives into your vocabulary.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of Adjectives of Expectation
- Structural Breakdown
- Types and Categories
- Examples of Adjectives of Expectation
- Usage Rules
- Common Mistakes
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Definition of Adjectives of Expectation
Adjectives of expectation are words that describe a state of anticipation, prediction, or anticipation concerning a future event or situation. They express a feeling, belief, or assessment about what is likely to happen.
These adjectives often modify nouns or pronouns, providing additional information about the expected outcome. They play a critical role in conveying not just information but also the speaker’s or writer’s perspective and emotions related to future possibilities.
Understanding how to use adjectives of expectation correctly can significantly enhance the clarity and impact of your communication.
In essence, adjectives of expectation bridge the gap between the present and the future, allowing us to articulate our thoughts and feelings about what might come to pass. They are an integral part of expressing opinions, making predictions, and conveying hopes and fears.
Mastering their usage is crucial for effective communication in both spoken and written English.
Structural Breakdown
Adjectives of expectation typically function as attributive or predicative adjectives. As attributive adjectives, they appear before the noun they modify, directly describing it. For example, in the phrase “an expected outcome,” the adjective “expected” modifies the noun “outcome.” As predicative adjectives, they follow a linking verb (such as be, seem, appear) and describe the subject of the sentence. For example, in the sentence “The result was unpredictable,” the adjective “unpredictable” describes the subject “result.”
Adjectives of expectation often derive from verbs or nouns through the addition of suffixes such as -able, -ible, -ant, -ent, -ed, -ing. Understanding these suffixes can help you recognize and use adjectives of expectation effectively. For instance, the verb “expect” becomes the adjective “expected” with the addition of the suffix “-ed.”
Types and Categories
Adjectives of expectation can be categorized based on the type of expectation they express: positive, negative, or neutral. This classification helps to understand the subtle nuances and emotional undertones conveyed by each adjective.
Positive Expectations
These adjectives express anticipation of a favorable or desirable outcome. They convey hope, confidence, or optimism about the future. Examples include: promising, hopeful, auspicious, bright, encouraging, optimistic, anticipated, expected, favorable, positive. These words suggest that the speaker believes the future holds good things.
Negative Expectations
These adjectives express anticipation of an unfavorable or undesirable outcome. They convey worry, fear, or pessimism about the future. Examples include: ominous, bleak, discouraging, pessimistic, doubtful, uncertain, worrisome, unexpected, unfavorable, negative. These words suggest that the speaker anticipates difficulties or setbacks.
Neutral Expectations
These adjectives express a lack of strong positive or negative anticipation. They convey a sense of impartiality or objectivity about the future. Examples include: possible, potential, conceivable, plausible, likely, predictable, uncertain, indefinite, contingent, speculative. These words suggest that the speaker is simply acknowledging a range of possibilities without expressing a preference.
Examples of Adjectives of Expectation
The following tables provide examples of adjectives of expectation categorized by their positive, negative, and neutral connotations. Each example is presented in a sentence to illustrate its usage in context.
Positive Expectation Examples
This table provides examples of adjectives that express a positive expectation, illustrating how these words are used in sentences to convey hope and optimism.
| Adjective | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Promising | The new treatment shows promising results in early trials. |
| Hopeful | We are hopeful that the negotiations will lead to a peaceful resolution. |
| Auspicious | The start of the project was marked by an auspicious event. |
| Bright | The company has a bright future with its innovative products. |
| Encouraging | The latest economic data provides encouraging signs of recovery. |
| Optimistic | She is optimistic about her chances of winning the competition. |
| Anticipated | The anticipated arrival of the guest speaker generated excitement. |
| Expected | The expected outcome of the meeting is a new partnership. |
| Favorable | The weather forecast is favorable for outdoor activities. |
| Positive | The test results were positive, indicating good health. |
| Reassuring | His words were reassuring, calming her anxieties about the trip. |
| Welcome | The welcome news of her promotion lifted everyone’s spirits. |
| Propitious | It seemed a propitious moment to launch the new business venture. |
| Rosy | They painted a rosy picture of the company’s financial future. |
| Upbeat | The team had an upbeat attitude despite the challenges ahead. |
| Confident | She felt confident about acing her final exams. |
| Assured | He gave an assured performance, impressing the audience. |
| Certain | They were certain of success after their hard work. |
| Promising | The young athlete showed promising potential for the future. |
| Enviable | They had an enviable position in the market, leading the pack. |
| Gratifying | The gratifying response to their charity event was overwhelming. |
| Heartening | It was heartening to see so many people volunteering their time. |
| Inspiring | Her inspiring speech motivated everyone in the audience. |
| Joyful | The joyful anticipation of the holiday season filled the air. |
| Lucrative | They hoped for a lucrative return on their investment. |
Negative Expectation Examples
This table provides examples of adjectives that express a negative expectation, illustrating how these words are used in sentences to convey worry and pessimism.
| Adjective | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Ominous | The dark clouds gathering overhead looked ominous. |
| Bleak | The economic forecast for the coming year is bleak. |
| Discouraging | The initial feedback on the proposal was discouraging. |
| Pessimistic | He is pessimistic about the chances of the project’s success. |
| Doubtful | It is doubtful that they will meet the deadline. |
| Uncertain | The future of the company remains uncertain. |
| Worrisome | The rising cost of living is a worrisome trend. |
| Unexpected | The unexpected delay caused significant problems. |
| Unfavorable | The conditions were unfavorable for planting crops. |
| Negative | The negative impact of the policy was immediately apparent. |
| Dire | The situation was dire after the natural disaster. |
| Grim | The news from the war front was grim. |
| Threatening | The storm clouds looked threatening, promising heavy rain. |
| Unpromising | The initial results were unpromising, requiring further investigation. |
| Apprehensive | She felt apprehensive about the upcoming surgery. |
| Anxious | They were anxious about the safety of their loved ones. |
| Boding | The silence was boding ill for the future of the negotiations. |
| Daunting | The task ahead seemed daunting, requiring immense effort. |
| Forboding | A sense of forboding filled the air as the storm approached. |
| Menacing | The dark alley seemed menacing, discouraging pedestrians. |
| Portentous | The sudden earthquake was a portentous event, signaling future disasters. |
| Troubling | The reports of increased crime were troubling for the community. |
| Unsettling | The news of the layoffs was unsettling for the employees. |
| Dismal | The prospects for finding a solution seemed dismal. |
| Catastrophic | The potential consequences of the nuclear accident were catastrophic. |
Neutral Expectation Examples
This table provides examples of adjectives that express a neutral expectation, illustrating how these words are used in sentences to convey impartiality and objectivity.
| Adjective | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Possible | It is possible that the meeting will be postponed. |
| Potential | The area has potential for future development. |
| Conceivable | It is conceivable that the technology could revolutionize the industry. |
| Plausible | His explanation seemed plausible, but we still had doubts. |
| Likely | It is likely to rain tomorrow. |
| Predictable | The outcome of the election was predictable. |
| Uncertain | The exact date of the launch remains uncertain. |
| Indefinite | The project has been put on hold for an indefinite period. |
| Contingent | The deal is contingent upon regulatory approval. |
| Speculative | The report is based on speculative data. |
| Probable | It is probable that they will accept our offer. |
| Eventual | The eventual success of the company was due to hard work. |
| Pending | The decision is pending further review. |
| Forthcoming | We are awaiting the forthcoming announcement. |
| Future | The future implications of the policy are unclear. |
| Prospective | The company is looking for prospective employees. |
| Scheduled | The meeting is scheduled for next week. |
| Ultimate | The ultimate goal is to achieve world peace. |
| Unforeseen | Unforeseen circumstances may affect the project timeline. |
| Coming | The coming generation will face new challenges. |
| Impending | The impending deadline created a sense of urgency. |
| Prospective | The prospective buyer toured the property. |
| Projected | The projected sales figures for the next quarter look promising. |
| Supposed | The train is supposed to arrive on time. |
| Unpredictable | The weather in this region is unpredictable. |
Usage Rules
Using adjectives of expectation correctly involves understanding subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, and ensuring the adjective fits the appropriate context. These rules are crucial for clear and accurate communication.
Subject-Verb Agreement
The adjective of expectation should agree with the subject it modifies. If the subject is singular, the verb should be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb should be plural. For example: “The expected result is positive.” (singular) vs. “The expected results are positive.” (plural).
Tense Consistency
Maintain consistent tense throughout the sentence. The tense of the verb should align with the time frame being discussed. For example: “The outcome was predictable based on the data.” (past) vs. “The outcome is predictable based on the data.” (present).
Appropriate Context
Choose adjectives of expectation that are appropriate for the context and the intended meaning. Consider the emotional tone and the level of certainty you wish to convey.
For example, use “hopeful” in a context where you want to express optimism, and “doubtful” in a context where you want to express skepticism.
Common Mistakes
One common mistake is using adjectives of expectation interchangeably without considering their subtle differences in meaning. For example, using “hopeful” when “optimistic” is more appropriate, or vice versa.
Another mistake is incorrect subject-verb agreement. For instance, saying “The expected results is…” instead of “The expected results are…” Make sure to pay attention to the subtle nuances of each adjective and ensure proper grammatical agreement.
Another common error is using the incorrect preposition after certain adjectives. Some adjectives of expectation are commonly followed by specific prepositions, such as “hopeful of,” “doubtful about,” or “certain of.” Using the wrong preposition can change the meaning of the sentence or make it grammatically incorrect.
| Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|
| I am hopeful about winning. | I am hopeful of winning. |
| She is certain about success. | She is certain of success. |
| They are doubtful of the outcome. | They are doubtful about the outcome. |
| The result is predicting. | The result is predictable. |
| We are excepting good news. | We are expecting good news. |
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding of adjectives of expectation with these practice exercises. Each exercise focuses on a different aspect of using these adjectives correctly.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate adjective of expectation from the list provided: hopeful, doubtful, predictable, unexpected, potential.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. The _________ outcome of the game is a victory for the home team. | predictable |
| 2. We are _________ that the negotiations will be successful. | hopeful |
| 3. The _________ delay in the project caused significant problems. | unexpected |
| 4. There is _________ for future growth in the company. | potential |
| 5. It is _________ that they will meet the deadline. | doubtful |
| 6. The _________ consequences of climate change are alarming. | potential |
| 7. They are _________ about finding a solution to the problem. | hopeful |
| 8. The _________ turn of events surprised everyone. | unexpected |
| 9. The _________ results of the experiment were inconclusive. | potential |
| 10. It is _________ that the storm will cause major damage. | doubtful |
Exercise 2: Sentence Transformation
Rewrite the following sentences using an adjective of expectation. Change the sentence structure as needed.
| Original Sentence | Rewritten Sentence |
|---|---|
| 1. We anticipate that the company will announce a new product soon. | The company’s anticipated product announcement is generating excitement. |
| 2. It is possible that the meeting will be postponed. | The meeting’s possible postponement is being discussed. |
| 3. They expect that the project will be completed on time. | The project’s expected completion date is on time. |
| 4. There is hope that the team will win the championship. | The team’s hopeful championship run is inspiring fans. |
| 5. We doubt that they will accept our offer. | Their doubtful acceptance of our offer is a concern. |
| 6. She predicts that the stock market will rise. | Her predictable stock market rise is based on careful analysis. |
| 7. It is uncertain whether the event will take place. | The event’s uncertain occurrence is causing anxiety. |
| 8. They foresee that the policy will have a negative impact. | The policy’s foreseen negative impact is being debated. |
| 9. We are confident that the plan will succeed. | Our confident plan’s success is the ultimate goal. |
| 10. It is plausible that the theory is correct. | The theory’s plausible correctness is under investigation. |
Exercise 3: Error Correction
Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences related to the use of adjectives of expectation.
| Incorrect Sentence | Correct Sentence |
|---|---|
| 1. The expected results is positive. | The expected results are positive. |
| 2. I am hopeful about winning the lottery. | I am hopeful of winning the lottery. |
| 3. She is certain about her success. | She is certain of her success. |
| 4. The outcome was predict. | The outcome was predictable. |
| 5. They are excepting good news soon. | They are expecting good news soon. |
| 6. We are doubt that they will arrive on time. | We doubt that they will arrive on time. |
| 7. The future looks promisingly. | The future looks promising. |
| 8. He felt anxious of the results. | He felt anxious about the results. |
| 9. The likely outcome are a compromise. | The likely outcome is a compromise. |
| 10. They are optimistic for the future. | They are optimistic about the future. |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, understanding the nuances of formal versus informal usage and the use of adjectives with that clauses can further refine their communication skills.
Formal vs. Informal Usage
Some adjectives of expectation are more appropriate for formal contexts, while others are better suited for informal settings. For example, “auspicious” and “propitious” are more formal, while “hopeful” and “worrisome” are more informal.
Consider your audience and the context when choosing your words.
Adjectives with That Clauses
Adjectives of expectation are often followed by that clauses to express the specific content of the expectation. For example: “I am hopeful that the project will succeed.” The that clause provides additional information about what is being anticipated. Ensure that the that clause is grammatically correct and clearly expresses the intended meaning.
In more formal writing, you might encounter structures where the word “that” is omitted, especially after verbs of thinking or feeling. However, with adjectives of expectation, retaining “that” usually adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.
For example, “She was certain the deal would close” is understandable, but “She was certain that the deal would close” is clearer and more emphatic.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about adjectives of expectation:
- What are adjectives of expectation?
Adjectives of expectation are words that describe a state of anticipation, prediction, or expectation concerning a future event or situation. - How do adjectives of expectation function in a sentence?
They function as attributive adjectives (before the noun) or predicative adjectives (after a linking verb). - Can you give examples of positive, negative, and neutral adjectives of expectation?
Positive: hopeful, promising, auspicious. Negative: doubtful, ominous, worrisome. Neutral: possible, potential, likely. - What are some common mistakes to avoid when using adjectives of expectation?
Incorrect subject-verb agreement, using adjectives interchangeably without considering their nuances, and using the wrong prepositions. - How can I improve my understanding and use of adjectives of expectation?
Practice using them in sentences, read widely to see how they are used in context, and pay attention to the subtle differences in meaning between similar adjectives. - Are there any adjectives of expectation that are more suitable for formal writing?
Yes, adjectives like auspicious, propitious, and speculative are more formal than adjectives like hopeful or worrisome. - How do I use adjectives of expectation with that clauses?
Use that clauses to specify the content of the expectation. For example: “I am hopeful that the project will succeed.” - What prepositions commonly follow adjectives of expectation?
Common prepositions include of (hopeful of), about (doubtful about), and for (anxious for). - How do adjectives of expectation affect the tone of a sentence?
They can convey optimism, pessimism, or neutrality, significantly influencing the overall tone and emotional impact of the sentence. - Are there any regional variations in the use of adjectives of expectation?
While the core meanings remain consistent, certain adjectives might be more commonly used in specific regions or dialects. Pay attention to usage patterns in your target dialect. - Can adjectives of expectation be used with gerunds?
Yes, adjectives of expectation can be followed by gerunds. For example, “I am hopeful of winning.” - How do I choose between similar adjectives of expectation, such as ‘likely’ and ‘probable’?
‘Likely’ generally suggests a higher degree of certainty than ‘probable.’ Consider the specific context and the level of confidence you wish to convey.
Conclusion
Adjectives of expectation are powerful tools for expressing our thoughts and feelings about the future. By understanding their definitions, structures, usage rules, and common mistakes, you can significantly enhance the clarity and impact of your communication.
Remember to consider the context, audience, and intended meaning when choosing your words, and practice using these adjectives in a variety of sentences. Continue to refine your understanding through reading and active use, and you will become proficient in using adjectives of expectation to convey your anticipations with precision and confidence.
Mastering adjectives of expectation is an ongoing process that requires attention to detail and consistent practice. By incorporating these adjectives into your vocabulary and understanding their nuances, you can express your perspectives on future events with greater accuracy and sophistication.
Keep practicing, and your ability to communicate effectively will continue to grow.