anticipate

anticipate — verb

1. to think before something happens that it probably will happen, often based on w

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to think before something happens that it probably will happen, often based on what you have already seen or heard.

例句

Sales managers anticipate that customer demand will rise sharply before the holidays.

anticipate + that-clause

Renata anticipates getting a raise after her strong year-end review.

anticipate + -ing form

同義詞
  • expect

    more common and neutral; everyday register

  • foresee

    stresses seeing something coming, often a problem

  • predict

    involves a stated forecast, often based on data

反義詞
  • dismiss

    to treat as not worth considering

  • overlook

    to fail to notice or take into account

文法句型

anticipate + that-clause

anticipate + -ing

anticipate + noun

用法筆記

Frequently used in formal writing and business or news contexts. Object is typically a future event, outcome, or change rather than a person.

常見錯誤

❌We anticipate to finish the project next month.
✅We anticipate finishing the project next month.
💡anticipate takes -ing form or a that-clause, never a to-infinitive.
❌I anticipate that to rain tomorrow.
✅I anticipate that it will rain tomorrow.
💡the that-clause needs a full subject and verb.

2. to think ahead about a possible event and do things now so you are ready when it

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to think ahead about a possible event and do things now so you are ready when it arrives.

例句

Good chess players anticipate their opponent's next three or four moves.

anticipate + noun (action)

The hospital anticipated the storm by moving extra beds to the upper floors.

anticipate + noun for preparation

同義詞
反義詞
  • neglect

    to fail to take care of in advance

文法句型

anticipate + noun

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 stops at predicting; this sense always involves a real action taken in advance. Object is usually a problem, need, or event you can practically prepare for.

常見錯誤

❌The team anticipated to the storm.
✅The team anticipated the storm.
💡no preposition before the object.

3. to feel happy and a little excited because you know something nice is about to h

3.動詞及物C1
釋義

to feel happy and a little excited because you know something nice is about to happen.

例句

The children eagerly anticipated the arrival of their grandparents from Osaka.

eagerly anticipate + noun

Clara had been anticipating this moment since she signed up for the marathon.

progressive form for sustained excitement

同義詞
反義詞
  • dread

    to fear something coming

文法句型

anticipate + noun

anticipate + -ing

用法筆記

Often paired with adverbs like 'eagerly', 'keenly', or 'long'. In everyday speech, 'look forward to' is more natural; this sense is more common in writing.

常見錯誤

❌I anticipate to see you at the concert.
✅I anticipate seeing you at the concert.
💡use the -ing form, not the to-infinitive.

4. to do or say something earlier than another person, so that you reach the result

4.動詞及物C2
釋義

to do or say something earlier than another person, so that you reach the result or take the chance before they can.

例句

The young scientist anticipated her rivals by publishing her findings in March.

anticipate + somebody by + -ing

A French inventor had anticipated Bell with a similar telephone design years earlier.

anticipate + somebody (academic/historical use)

同義詞
反義詞
  • follow

    to come after rather than before

文法句型

anticipate + somebody (in doing something)

用法筆記

Often appears in academic writing about discoveries and inventions, and in sports reporting about defensive moves. Subject and object are usually rivals, competitors, or opposing players.

常見錯誤

❌She anticipated to her opponent and won the point.
✅She anticipated her opponent and won the point.
💡direct object, no preposition, no to-infinitive.