await，wait

这两个词都是动词，又都有“期待”、“等候”之意，但用法有所不同，它们的区别如下：

(一)await是及物动词，后面直接接宾语;wait虽然也可用作及物动词，但在现代英语中，一般作不及物动词用，与for，to，till，until等词连用。

(二)await的宾语大都是抽象名词，如：decision，reply，arrival，announcement，return等;wait for的宾语一般是人或事物。

The judge awaits the coroner’s inquest before giving a verdict.

法官在作裁决前等待验尸官的调查。

I have been waiting for her for an hour at the bus stop.

我在公共车站等候她已一小时了。

(三)await之后接动名词;wait之后接动词不定式。例如：

We shall await hearing further from them.

We shall wait to hear further from them.

我们在静候他们进一步的消息。

(四)await多用于书面语;wait 多用于口语。如：

This plan awaits the approval of the board of directors.

这项计划有待董事局批准。

I have been waiting here for a long time.

我已在这里等了好久了。

(五)wait 除作动词外，还可用作名词。例：

I had a long wait for the train.

我等火车等了好久。

They pursue a policy of wait and see.

他们采取等待和观望的政策。

如上所述，wait在特定情况下也可以用作及物动词，例如：to wait your turn;to wait one’s opportunity.

请注意下列句子中await和wait的使用场合：

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.

当await的主语是没有生命的事物而宾语是人时，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.

请注意，Time and tide wait(s)for no man(岁月不待人)的wait既可以加s，亦可不加s.