await和wait用法区别辨析

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.我迫不及待地等待你对此事的裁决。

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.

一到宾馆,他就发现有一封电报在等着他。

Little did he realize what a surprise awaited him at home.

他几乎没有意识到有一个惊喜在家里等待着他。

A hearty welcome will await you.衷心欢迎您的光临。

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.

await和wait用法区别辨析