Difference Between Expectation and Hope

The main difference between expectation and hope is that expectations are usually dependent on someone while hopes are not.

Expectations and hopes are both beliefs or wishes about the future. An expectation is a strong belief about the future, while hope is a feeling of optimism or a desire that something will happen. Although these two are similar, they are not the same. Hopes may be more positive and healthier than expectations since expectations, whose fulfilment usually depend on others, have the ability to hurt and disappoint you more.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is an Expectation 
     – Definition, Nature, Examples
2. What is a Hope
     – Definition, Nature, Examples
3. What are the Similarities Between Expectation and Hope
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Expectation and Hope
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Expectation, Hope, Disappointment

What is Expectation

The expectation is a strong belief about the future. For example, you expect your child will study hard and get a job. When you have great expectations, you think something good will happen to you. When you have expectations, you anticipate or have a strong belief that something will happen. For example, you may expect a promotion in your position – in this scenario, you’ll strongly believe that you will get this promotion, and even get ready for it. But if this doesn’t happen, you will face great disappointment. The lower your expectations, lower will be your chance of being disappointed.

Moreover, most of our expectations depend on others. For instance, we expect our friends to stand by us in tough times, we expect our children to look after us when we are old, etc. As mentioned above, unfulfilled expectations always lead to disappointment.

The word expectation is a noun; its verb form is expect. You can observe the following example sentences to understand its meaning and usage more clearly.

She had high expectations for her son’s future.

Your expectations are too high.

Their company has expectations of making a profit next year.

He didn’t live up to my expectations.

Her performance fell short of expectations.

We had the expectation that the government will provide us with the necessary resources.

What is Hope

Hope is a feeling of optimism or a desire that something will happen.  Hope is something that you want to happen or the feeling that good things will come. For example, you hope that you will have a good trip to Bali or that your sick neighbour will get well soon. Therefore, hope refers to an optimistic state of mind. Moreover, hope is the opposite of despair and hopelessness. We also use this word hope when we are not sure if something will absolutely happen or not but want it to happen regardless.

If we look at the hope as a word, it acts as both noun and verb. You can observe the following example sentences to understand its meaning and usage more clearly.

I hope you two have a nice time in India!

This operation is my last hope

Throughout the difficult years, we never gave up hope.

I hope that your family is safe.

Everybody needs hopes for the future.

All her hopes are lost.

Similarities Between Expectation and Hope

• Hope and expectations are wishes and beliefs about the future.
• It is almost impossible to live without hopes or expectations.
• Unfulfillment of expectations and hopes can result in sadness and disappointment.

Difference Between Expectation and Hope

Definition

Expectation is a strong belief about the future, while hope is a feeling of optimism or a desire that something will happen.

Nature

Hope is something that you desire while expectation is something that you anticipate.

Fulfilment

The fulfilment of an expectation usually depends on others, whereas the fulfilment of a hope doesn’t depend on others.

Type

Moreover, hopes are more positive and healthier than expectations.

Unfulfillment

An unfulfilled expectation may hurt and disappoint you more than an unfulfilled hope.

Conclusion

In brief, an expectation is something that you anticipate while a hope is something that you desire. Moreover, the fulfilment of an expectation usually depends on others, whereas the fulfilment of a hope doesn’t. This is the main difference between expectation and hope.

Image Courtesy:

1. “2636197” (CC0) via Pixabay
2. “Expectation is the root of all heartache” By Raphael Love (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr

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