das Erwarten
expecting
The mental anticipation of a person arriving, an event occurring, or a particular development taking place.
EXAMPLE
Das Erwarten seines Anrufs machte sie unruhig.
Expecting his call made her restless.
das Erwarten
expectation
das Erwarten
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Meanings
wider Erwarten
contrary to expectations
Contrary to what one expected; different from what was assumed.
EXAMPLE
Wider Erwarten bestand er die schwierige Prüfung.
Contrary to expectations, he passed the difficult exam.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Erwarten, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| genitive | des Erwartens |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Erwarten | – |
| accusative | das Erwarten | – |
| dative | dem Erwarten | – |
| genitive | des Erwartens | – |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word formation
„Erwarten“ (expecting) is the infinitive of the verb „erwarten“ (to expect) used as a noun. This allows the action itself to become the subject of a sentence.
EXAMPLE
Das ständige Erwarten schlechter Nachrichten belastete ihn.
The constant expectation of bad news weighed on him.
Elevated style
As a freely used noun, „das Erwarten“ (expecting) sounds elevated and is rare in everyday conversation. It is mainly suitable for literary or reflective texts.
EXAMPLE
Das Erwarten ihrer Rückkehr bestimmte seinen ganzen Tagesablauf.
Expecting her return shaped his entire daily routine.
Fixed expression
Learn „wider Erwarten“ (contrary to expectations) as a fixed expression without an article; „Erwarten“ is capitalized in it. If the entire expression comes at the beginning of a sentence, the conjugated verb follows immediately.
EXAMPLE
Wider Erwarten blieb das Geschäft am Samstag geschlossen.
Contrary to expectations, the store remained closed on Saturday.
In real life
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