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.
发表于 2016-7-9 17:40:38