await，wait
這兩個詞都是動詞，又都有「期待」、「等候」之意，但用法有所不同，它們的區別如下：
(一)await是及物動詞，後面直接接賓語;wait雖然也可用作及物動詞，但在現代英語中，一般作不及物動詞用，與for，to，till，until等詞連用。
(二)await的賓語大都是抽象名詞，如：decision，reply，arrival，announcement，return等;wait for的賓語一般是人或事物。
The judge awaits the coroner's inquest before giving a verdict.
法官在作裁決前等待驗屍官的調查。
I have been waiting for her for an hour at the bus stop.
我在公共車站等候她已一小時了。
(三)await之後接動名詞;wait之後接動詞不定式。例如：
We shall await hearing further from them.
We shall wait to hear further from them.
我們在靜候他們進一步的消息。
(四)await多用於書面語;wait 多用於口語。如：
This plan awaits the approval of the board of directors.
這項計劃有待董事局批准。
I have been waiting here for a long time.
我已在這裡等了好久了。
(五)wait 除作動詞外，還可用作名詞。例：
I had a long wait for the train.
我等火車等了好久。
They pursue a policy of wait and see.
他們採取等待和觀望的政策。
如上所述，wait在特定情況下也可以用作及物動詞，例如：to wait your turn;to wait one's opportunity。
請注意下列句子中await和wait的使用場合：
We await (or wait for)your reply.
We wait for(不能用await)you to reply.
I shall wait to bring her home.(不能用await)
I await (or wait for)your ruling on the matter with some impatience.
當await的主語是沒有生命的事物而賓語是人時，await表示 be in store或lie in wait for之意。如：
On arriving at the guest house，he found a telegram awaiting him.
Little did he realize what a surprise awaited him at home.
A hearty welcome will await you.
請注意，Time and tide wait(s)for no man(歲月不待人)的wait既可以加s，亦可不加s。