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B2 verb 10 min read

s'attendre à

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips s'attendre à in 30 Seconds
Explanation s'attendre à in your Level:
At the A1 level, the concept of 'expecting' is very basic, usually related to immediate, concrete events. A learner might understand simple phrases like 'I expect a visitor' in a very literal sense, focusing on the presence of someone. The focus is on understanding very common, predictable situations. For example, a child might 'expect' a present on their birthday or 'expect' dinner to be ready at a certain time. The vocabulary and sentence structures would be extremely simple, often involving nouns or simple actions. The idea of anticipating something abstract or a complex future event is beyond the scope of A1. The understanding is tied to tangible, present, or very near-future occurrences that are part of a daily routine or a specific, anticipated event. There's no real nuance or abstract thought involved, just a recognition of what is likely to happen based on immediate context or routine.
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For A2 learners, 's'attendre à' starts to become applicable in slightly more complex, but still very common, everyday scenarios. They might begin to understand sentences like 'I expect it to rain' or 'He expects a phone call.' The expectation is still largely tied to predictable daily occurrences or simple future events. The focus is on understanding simple statements about what is likely to happen. For instance, if the sky is dark, an A2 learner might grasp that someone 'expects' rain. They can recognize the phrase in simple dialogues about weather, appointments, or social visits. The key is that the context is familiar and the outcome is relatively straightforward and predictable. Abstract expectations or complex causal links are generally not yet understood. It’s about recognizing a probable outcome in a concrete situation.
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At the B1 level, learners can use and understand 's'attendre à' in a broader range of contexts, including more abstract situations and personal opinions about future events. They can form sentences like 'I expect to pass the exam' or 'We expect a lot of traffic.' The phrase is used to express anticipation of outcomes, both positive and negative, and can be linked to personal goals or general predictions. Learners can understand expectations related to social events, academic progress, or common societal occurrences. They are beginning to grasp the nuance that 's'attendre à' implies a degree of likelihood rather than absolute certainty. This level allows for expressing personal outlooks and understanding others' expectations in everyday conversations and simple media.
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For B2 learners, 's'attendre à' is a well-integrated part of their active and passive vocabulary. They can use it confidently in complex sentences, express nuanced expectations, and understand its use in formal and informal registers. This includes anticipating potential problems, discussing future trends, and understanding the implications of expectations in professional or academic settings. They can differentiate it from similar verbs like 'espérer' or 'anticiper' and use it to convey a strong sense of likelihood or preparedness. They can also understand its use with clauses introduced by 'ce que,' and employ it in discussions about socio-economic issues, future projects, or personal development, showing a mature grasp of its versatility.
At the C1 level, learners use 's'attendre à' with great fluency and precision. They can employ it in sophisticated arguments, critical analyses, and nuanced literary discussions. They understand its use in idiomatic expressions and can leverage it to convey subtle shades of meaning, such as a sense of resignation, confident prediction, or even ironic expectation. They can also analyze texts where the author uses 's'attendre à' to foreshadow events or reveal character psychology. The phrase is used to express complex expectations about abstract concepts, societal changes, or intricate personal relationships, demonstrating a deep command of the language and its cultural context.
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C2 learners possess a mastery of 's'attendre à,' using it with native-like idiomatic flair and accuracy. They can employ it in highly specialized contexts, academic discourse, and creative writing, often using it to create specific stylistic effects. They understand its full range of connotations, including its potential for expressing subtle forms of doubt, apprehension, or even understated certainty. They can deconstruct its usage in complex literary works or formal pronouncements, recognizing its role in shaping the reader's or listener's perception of future events or character motivations. Their understanding is so profound that they can intuitively grasp the implied meaning in any context, however complex or subtle.
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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

s'attendre à in 30 Seconds

  • Means 'to expect' or 'to regard as likely'.
  • Requires the preposition 'à'.
  • Used for anticipating future events or outcomes.
  • Essential for expressing personal outlooks and predictions.
The French verb phrase "s'attendre à" is a fundamental expression that translates directly to "to expect" in English. It signifies the act of anticipating something, regarding it as probable, or preparing oneself for a particular outcome. This phrase is incredibly versatile and is used across a wide range of situations, from casual conversations about daily life to more formal discussions about future plans or potential events. When you "s'attendre à" something, you are essentially looking forward to it, or at least acknowledging its likelihood. It implies a mental state of preparedness, whether positive or negative. For instance, if a storm is forecasted, one might "s'attendre à" heavy rain. If you have a job interview, you "s'attendre à" being asked questions. The nuance often lies in the context and the tone of voice. It can be used for pleasant surprises, inevitable difficulties, or simply routine occurrences. The reflexive nature of the verb, "s'attendre," highlights that this is an internal process of anticipation. It's about what one holds in expectation. This phrase is so common that mastering it unlocks a significant level of fluency in French, allowing you to express a wide array of predictive thoughts and feelings. It's a cornerstone for discussing future possibilities, probabilities, and personal outlooks on upcoming events, making it indispensable for any intermediate to advanced French speaker. The usage is broad, encompassing everything from expecting a guest to arrive to expecting a promotion at work. The core idea is always about an outlook on what is likely to happen.
Synonyms
Anticipate, foresee, look forward to, prepare for.
Grammar
Reflexive verb, always followed by the preposition 'à' and then the noun or infinitive verb it expects.

Je m'attends à une forte affluence ce soir au restaurant.

Nous nous attendions à ce qu'il pleuve, alors nous avons pris nos parapluies.

Mastering "s'attendre à" involves understanding its grammatical structure and the various contexts in which it can be applied. This reflexive verb phrase requires the preposition "à" to link it to what is being expected. This "à" is non-negotiable and forms a tight unit with the verb. The object of expectation can be a noun, a pronoun, or even an infinitive verb, often introduced by "ce que" when referring to a clause or a situation. Let's explore different sentence constructions.
Expecting a Noun
When you expect a specific thing or person, you place the noun directly after "à." For example, "Je m'attends à des difficultés" (I expect difficulties) or "Elle s'attend à son ami" (She is expecting her friend). The article or determiner before the noun remains as usual. This is the most straightforward application of the phrase.

Nous nous attendons à une grève des transports demain.

Expecting an Infinitive
If the expectation is an action, you use the infinitive form of the verb after "à." For instance, "Ils s'attendent à gagner le match" (They expect to win the match) or "Tu t'attends à être félicité ?" (Do you expect to be congratulated?). This structure is common for expressing anticipated actions or events.

Le professeur s'attend à ce que tous les étudiants rendent leur devoir à temps.

Expecting a Clause (using 'ce que')
When the expectation is a whole situation or a fact, you introduce it with "ce que." This is often followed by a subjunctive verb if the expectation is uncertain or hypothetical, but more commonly by an indicative verb if it's a strong expectation of a factual outcome. For example, "Je m'attends à ce qu'il fasse beau demain" (I expect that the weather will be nice tomorrow) or "Ils ne s'attendent pas à ce que nous arrivions si tôt" (They do not expect us to arrive so early). This construction is very common for expressing expectations about events or circumstances.

Nous nous attendons à ce que les résultats soient publiés la semaine prochaine.

Using "s'attendre à" with Pronouns
You can also use object pronouns with "s'attendre à." For instance, "Je m'y attends" (I expect it), where "y" refers to a previously mentioned situation or thing. "Je m'attends à ça" (I expect that) is also common in informal speech.

Tu penses qu'il va réussir ? Je m'y attends !

You will encounter "s'attendre à" in virtually every facet of French communication, from everyday chats to formal broadcasts. Its ubiquity makes it a crucial phrase for any learner aiming for natural-sounding French. Consider these common scenarios:
Everyday Conversations
Friends might discuss their plans: "Je m'attends à te voir ce week-end." (I expect to see you this weekend.) or "On s'attend à beaucoup de monde à la fête." (We expect a lot of people at the party.) This applies to discussing traffic, weather, or social gatherings.

Il pleut des cordes, je m'attends à ce que le match soit annulé.

News and Media
News anchors might report on economic forecasts or political developments: "Les analystes s'attendent à une hausse des prix." (Analysts expect a price increase.) or "Le gouvernement ne s'attend pas à des manifestations." (The government does not expect demonstrations.)

Les experts s'attendent à ce que la nouvelle technologie révolutionne le marché.

Professional Settings
In a business meeting, someone might say: "Nous nous attendons à atteindre nos objectifs de vente ce trimestre." (We expect to reach our sales targets this quarter.) or "Le client s'attend à recevoir une réponse sous 48 heures." (The client expects to receive a response within 48 hours.)

Le directeur s'attend à une présentation détaillée lors de la réunion.

Literature and Film
In narratives, characters' expectations can drive the plot. A character might reflect: "Elle ne s'attendait pas à une telle trahison." (She did not expect such a betrayal.) or "Il s'attendait à trouver un trésor, mais il n'y avait rien." (He expected to find a treasure, but there was nothing.)

Dans le roman, le héros s'attend à affronter le dragon.

While "s'attendre à" is a widely used expression, learners often stumble over a few common pitfalls. Being aware of these can help you avoid them and sound more natural.
Forgetting the Preposition 'à'
The most frequent error is omitting the essential preposition "à." "S'attendre" is an intransitive verb that requires a complement introduced by "à." Forgetting it renders the sentence grammatically incorrect and nonsensical. For example, saying "Je m'attends un retard" instead of "Je m'attends à un retard" is a classic mistake.

Incorrect: Je m'attends la visite de mes parents.

Correct: Je m'attends à la visite de mes parents.

Incorrect Verb Conjugation
As a reflexive verb, "s'attendre" requires the correct reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nous, vous, se) to agree with the subject. Learners might use the wrong pronoun or forget it altogether. For instance, "Il m'attends" instead of "Il m'attend" (which means 'he is waiting for me') is different from "Il s'attend à..." (he expects...). Make sure the reflexive pronoun matches the subject.

Incorrect: Nous s'attendons à la pluie.

Correct: Nous nous attendons à la pluie.

Confusing with 'attendre' (to wait for)
The verb "attendre" without the reflexive pronoun "se" means "to wait for." While related, "s'attendre à" means "to expect." The distinction is crucial. "J'attends le bus" (I am waiting for the bus) is different from "Je m'attends à ce que le bus soit en retard" (I expect the bus to be late). Using "attendre" when "s'attendre à" is needed, or vice versa, leads to confusion.

Incorrect: J'attends qu'il fasse beau demain.

Correct: Je m'attends à ce qu'il fasse beau demain.

Incorrect use of 'que'
When expecting a clause (a situation or event), the structure is "s'attendre à ce que." Learners might incorrectly use "s'attendre que" directly, or forget the "ce." For example, "Je m'attends que tu viennes" is incorrect; it should be "Je m'attends à ce que tu viennes."

Incorrect: Elle s'attend qu'il arrive.

Correct: Elle s'attend à ce qu'il arrive.

While "s'attendre à" is a primary way to express expectation, French offers a rich tapestry of words and phrases that convey similar or nuanced meanings. Understanding these alternatives will enhance your vocabulary and allow for more precise expression.
'Anticiper' (to anticipate)
'Anticiper' is a close synonym, often used when the expectation involves planning or taking action in advance based on a foreseen event. It can also mean to foresee or predict. It is a transitive verb, meaning it does not require the preposition 'à' in the same way "s'attendre à" does.
Comparison
"Je m'attends à des retards." (I expect delays.) vs. "J'anticipe des retards." (I anticipate delays - perhaps implying I'm already making arrangements for them.) or "J'ai anticipé ce problème." (I foresaw/dealt with this problem beforehand.)

Nous devons anticiper les besoins de nos clients.

'Prévoir' (to foresee, to plan for)
'Prévoir' implies a more concrete prediction or a plan made in advance. It's often used for forecasts, budgets, or arrangements.
Comparison
"Je m'attends à ce qu'il pleuve." (I expect it to rain - a general anticipation.) vs. "Je prévois de prendre mon parapluie car il va pleuvoir." (I plan to take my umbrella because it's going to rain - more about action based on prediction.) or "Les prévisions météo prévoient de la pluie." (The weather forecasts predict rain.)

Il faut prévoir un budget suffisant pour ce projet.

'Espérer' (to hope)
'Espérer' expresses a desire for something to happen, often with less certainty than "s'attendre à." While you can "s'attendre à" something negative, you generally "espérer" something positive.
Comparison
"Je m'attends à ce qu'il vienne." (I expect him to come - implies a strong likelihood.) vs. "J'espère qu'il viendra." (I hope he will come - more of a wish.)

J'espère que tu réussiras à ton examen.

'Se douter de' (to suspect)
This phrase implies a less certain, often intuitive, feeling that something might be true or happening. It's a weaker form of expectation, leaning towards suspicion.
Comparison
"Je m'attends à ce qu'il mente." (I expect him to lie - based on past behavior or strong evidence.) vs. "Je me doute qu'il mente." (I suspect he is lying - a hunch, less certainty.)

Je me doute qu'il n'a pas dit toute la vérité.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Les analystes s'attendent à une récession modérée au cours du prochain trimestre."

Neutral

"Je m'attends à ce que le colis arrive demain."

Informal

"On s'attend à ce qu'il y ait du monde à la soirée."

Child friendly

"Le petit garçon s'attend à recevoir un jouet pour son anniversaire."

Slang

"Je m'attends à un truc de fou !"

Fun Fact

The original meaning of 'attendre' was more about physically 'stretching' or 'reaching out' towards something, implying a form of anticipation. This physical gesture evolved into the mental state of expecting. The reflexive 's'attendre' emphasizes this personal orientation towards the future.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /s‿a.tɑ̃.dʁ‿a/
US /s‿æ.tɑ̃.dʁ‿ɑ/
The stress in 's'attendre' falls on the last syllable, 'tendre'. When followed by 'à', the primary stress can shift slightly depending on the rhythm of the sentence, but the emphasis remains on the verb.
Rhymes With
entendre prétendre comprendre détendre reprendre surprendre apprendre descendre
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing the nasal vowels incorrectly.
  • Forgetting the linking 's' sound between 's' and 'attendre', and between 'attendre' and 'à'.
  • Mispronouncing the final 'e' in 'attendre' as a clear 'e' sound instead of a softer, almost silent one in fluent speech.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

CEFR B2 level. Understanding 's'attendre à' is essential for comprehending nuanced discussions about future events, predictions, and personal outlooks. It appears frequently in news, literature, and everyday conversations, requiring an intermediate to advanced grasp of French.

Writing 4/5
Speaking 4/5
Listening 4/5

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

attendre à ce que reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nous, vous, se)

Learn Next

anticiper prévoir espérer se douter de être surpris par

Advanced

subjonctif (after 'ce que' in certain contexts) imparfait (for past expectations) conditionnel (for hypothetical expectations)

Grammar to Know

Reflexive Verbs

In 's'attendre à', the 'se' is a reflexive pronoun indicating the action is done to or for oneself. Understanding other reflexive verbs like 'se lever' (to get up) or 's'habiller' (to get dressed) is helpful.

Preposition 'à'

'S'attendre' always requires 'à' before its object. Other verbs also require specific prepositions (e.g., 'penser à', 'jouer à').

Subjunctive Mood

When 's'attendre à ce que' introduces a subjective or uncertain expectation, the subjunctive mood is often used, e.g., 'Je m'attends à ce qu'il soit difficile' (subjunctive 'soit'). However, if the expectation is strong and factual, the indicative is used.

Imperfect Tense for Past Expectations

To talk about past expectations, use the imperfect: 'Je m'attendais à ce qu'il pleuve' (I expected it to rain).

Using 'y' as a Pronoun

'Je m'y attends' means 'I expect it', where 'y' replaces a previously mentioned situation or thing.

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Examples by Level

1

Je m'attends à voir papa.

I expect to see dad.

Simple present tense, reflexive pronoun 'm'', preposition 'à'.

2

Le chat s'attend à manger.

The cat expects to eat.

Present tense, reflexive pronoun 'se', infinitive verb 'manger'.

3

Elle s'attend à un cadeau.

She expects a gift.

Present tense, reflexive pronoun 's'', noun 'cadeau'.

4

Nous nous attendons à ce qu'il soit tard.

We expect it to be late.

Present tense, reflexive pronoun 'nous', conjunction 'ce que'.

5

Tu t'attends à dormir.

You expect to sleep.

Present tense, reflexive pronoun 't'', infinitive verb 'dormir'.

6

Ils s'attendent à jouer.

They expect to play.

Present tense, reflexive pronoun 'ils' (se), infinitive verb 'jouer'.

7

Le chien s'attend à une promenade.

The dog expects a walk.

Present tense, reflexive pronoun 'se', noun 'promenade'.

8

On s'attend à ce qu'il pleuve.

We expect it to rain.

Present tense, informal pronoun 'on' (conjugated as 'se'), conjunction 'ce que'.

1

Je m'attends à de la pluie aujourd'hui.

I expect rain today.

Present tense, reflexive pronoun 'm'', noun phrase 'de la pluie'.

2

Elle s'attend à recevoir un appel.

She expects to receive a call.

Present tense, reflexive pronoun 's'', infinitive verb 'recevoir'.

3

Nous nous attendons à un retard.

We expect a delay.

Present tense, reflexive pronoun 'nous', noun 'retard'.

4

Il s'attend à ce que le bus arrive bientôt.

He expects the bus to arrive soon.

Present tense, reflexive pronoun 'il' (se), conjunction 'ce que'.

5

Vous vous attendez à beaucoup de monde.

You expect a lot of people.

Present tense, reflexive pronoun 'vous', noun phrase 'beaucoup de monde'.

6

Les enfants s'attendent à jouer dehors.

The children expect to play outside.

Present tense, reflexive pronoun 'ils' (se), infinitive verb 'jouer'.

7

Je m'attends à ce que le film soit intéressant.

I expect the movie to be interesting.

Present tense, reflexive pronoun 'm'', conjunction 'ce que'.

8

Ils s'attendent à voir des amis.

They expect to see friends.

Present tense, reflexive pronoun 'ils' (se), infinitive verb 'voir'.

1

Je m'attends à réussir cet examen.

I expect to pass this exam.

Present tense, reflexive pronoun 'm'', infinitive verb 'réussir'.

2

Nous nous attendons à ce que le projet soit terminé dans les temps.

We expect the project to be finished on time.

Present tense, reflexive pronoun 'nous', conjunction 'ce que'.

3

Elle s'attend à une augmentation de salaire.

She expects a salary increase.

Present tense, reflexive pronoun 's'', noun phrase 'une augmentation de salaire'.

4

Ils ne s'attendent pas à rencontrer autant de difficultés.

They do not expect to encounter so many difficulties.

Present tense (negative), reflexive pronoun 'ils' (se), infinitive verb 'rencontrer'.

5

Vous vous attendez à quoi exactement ?

What exactly do you expect?

Present tense, reflexive pronoun 'vous', interrogative pronoun 'quoi'.

6

Le public s'attend à une performance mémorable.

The public expects a memorable performance.

Present tense, reflexive pronoun 'le public' (se), noun phrase 'une performance mémorable'.

7

Je m'attends à ce qu'il pleuve demain, alors je prends mon parapluie.

I expect it to rain tomorrow, so I'm taking my umbrella.

Present tense, reflexive pronoun 'm'', conjunction 'ce que'.

8

On s'attend à ce que les prix augmentent.

We expect prices to rise.

Present tense, informal pronoun 'on' (conjugated as 'se'), conjunction 'ce que'.

1

Les économistes s'attendent à une reprise économique progressive.

Economists expect a gradual economic recovery.

Present tense, plural subject 'les économistes' (se), noun phrase 'une reprise économique progressive'.

2

Je ne m'attendais pas à une telle réaction.

I did not expect such a reaction.

Imperfect tense, negative, reflexive pronoun 'm'', noun phrase 'une telle réaction'.

3

Nous nous attendons à ce que les négociations aboutissent rapidement.

We expect the negotiations to conclude quickly.

Present tense, reflexive pronoun 'nous', conjunction 'ce que'.

4

Elle s'attend à être promue l'année prochaine.

She expects to be promoted next year.

Present tense, reflexive pronoun 's'', infinitive verb 'être promue'.

5

Le gouvernement s'attend à devoir faire face à des critiques.

The government expects to have to face criticism.

Present tense, reflexive pronoun 'le gouvernement' (se), infinitive verb 'faire face'.

6

Vous vous attendez à ce que je fasse tout le travail seul ?

Do you expect me to do all the work alone?

Present tense, reflexive pronoun 'vous', conjunction 'ce que'.

7

Ils s'attendent à ce que la technologie évolue encore plus vite.

They expect technology to evolve even faster.

Present tense, reflexive pronoun 'ils' (se), conjunction 'ce que'.

8

Je m'attendais à trouver plus d'informations sur ce sujet.

I expected to find more information on this subject.

Imperfect tense, reflexive pronoun 'm'', infinitive verb 'trouver'.

1

Les observateurs s'attendent à un changement significatif dans la politique étrangère.

Observers expect a significant change in foreign policy.

Present tense, plural subject 'les observateurs' (se), noun phrase 'un changement significatif'.

2

Elle ne s'attendait pas à ce que ses actions aient de telles répercussions.

She did not expect her actions to have such repercussions.

Imperfect tense, negative, reflexive pronoun 's'', conjunction 'ce que'.

3

Nous nous attendons à ce que les entreprises adoptent des pratiques plus durables.

We expect companies to adopt more sustainable practices.

Present tense, reflexive pronoun 'nous', conjunction 'ce que'.

4

Le public s'attend à ce que les artistes soient authentiques.

The public expects artists to be authentic.

Present tense, reflexive pronoun 'le public' (se), conjunction 'ce que'.

5

Il s'attend à ce que la vérité éclate au grand jour.

He expects the truth to come to light.

Present tense, reflexive pronoun 'il' (se), conjunction 'ce que'.

6

Vous vous attendez à ce que je comprenne toutes les subtilités sans explication ?

Do you expect me to understand all the subtleties without explanation?

Present tense, reflexive pronoun 'vous', conjunction 'ce que'.

7

Les critiques ne s'attendaient pas à une telle audace créative.

The critics did not expect such creative audacity.

Imperfect tense, negative, plural subject 'les critiques' (se), noun phrase 'une telle audace créative'.

8

Je m'attendais à ce qu'il y ait plus de débat sur cette question.

I expected there to be more debate on this issue.

Imperfect tense, reflexive pronoun 'm'', conjunction 'ce que'.

1

Les historiens s'attendent à ce que de nouvelles découvertes reconfigurent notre compréhension du passé.

Historians expect new discoveries to reconfigure our understanding of the past.

Present tense, plural subject 'les historiens' (se), conjunction 'ce que'.

2

Elle ne s'attendait pas à ce que sa propre famille lui soit hostile.

She did not expect her own family to be hostile to her.

Imperfect tense, negative, reflexive pronoun 's'', conjunction 'ce que'.

3

Nous nous attendons à ce que la société évolue vers une plus grande interconnexion.

We expect society to evolve towards greater interconnection.

Present tense, reflexive pronoun 'nous', conjunction 'ce que'.

4

Le philosophe s'attend à ce que l'humanité soit confrontée à des dilemmes existentiels inédits.

The philosopher expects humanity to be confronted with unprecedented existential dilemmas.

Present tense, reflexive pronoun 'le philosophe' (se), conjunction 'ce que'.

5

Vous vous attendez à ce que je minimise l'importance de ces événements ?

Do you expect me to downplay the significance of these events?

Present tense, reflexive pronoun 'vous', conjunction 'ce que'.

6

Les critiques littéraires s'attendent à ce que l'œuvre remette en question les conventions narratives établies.

Literary critics expect the work to question established narrative conventions.

Present tense, plural subject 'les critiques littéraires' (se), conjunction 'ce que'.

7

Je m'attendais à ce que la complexité du problème soit reconnue plus tôt.

I expected the complexity of the problem to be recognized earlier.

Imperfect tense, reflexive pronoun 'm'', conjunction 'ce que'.

8

On s'attend à ce que les avancées technologiques entraînent des bouleversements sociaux.

We expect technological advancements to lead to social upheaval.

Present tense, informal pronoun 'on' (conjugated as 'se'), conjunction 'ce que'.

Common Collocations

s'attendre à des difficultés
s'attendre à ce que tout aille bien
s'attendre à un miracle
s'attendre à une déception
s'attendre à ce que quelqu'un fasse quelque chose
s'attendre à une surprise
s'attendre à un accueil chaleureux
s'attendre à des conséquences
s'attendre à l'impossible
s'attendre à ce que la situation s'améliore

Common Phrases

Je m'attends à...

— I expect...

Je m'attends à ce que le colis arrive demain.

Nous nous attendons à...

— We expect...

Nous nous attendons à une forte affluence ce soir.

Il s'attend à ce que...

— He expects that...

Il s'attend à ce que nous finissions le travail à temps.

Elle ne s'attendait pas à...

— She did not expect...

Elle ne s'attendait pas à une telle gentillesse.

Vous vous attendez à quoi ?

— What do you expect?

Vous vous attendez à quoi ? C'est le résultat logique.

On s'attend à...

— We expect... (informal)

On s'attend à de la pluie cet après-midi.

s'attendre à être déçu

— to expect to be disappointed

Si tu mets la barre trop haut, tu risques de t'attendre à être déçu.

s'attendre à un succès

— to expect success

Avec une telle préparation, ils s'attendent à un succès retentissant.

s'attendre à l'impossible

— to expect the impossible

Demander qu'il fasse tout en une heure, c'est s'attendre à l'impossible.

s'attendre à ce que tout se passe bien

— to expect everything to go well

Malgré les doutes, nous nous attendons à ce que tout se passe bien.

Often Confused With

s'attendre à vs attendre

'Attendre' means 'to wait for' and is a transitive verb. 'S'attendre à' means 'to expect' and is a reflexive verb that requires the preposition 'à'. For example, 'J'attends le bus' (I am waiting for the bus) vs. 'Je m'attends à ce que le bus soit en retard' (I expect the bus to be late).

s'attendre à vs espérer

'Espérer' means 'to hope', implying a desire for something to happen, often with less certainty than 's'attendre à'. 'S'attendre à' suggests a higher probability or a more concrete anticipation.

s'attendre à vs anticiper

'Anticiper' means 'to anticipate' or 'to foresee', often implying taking action in advance. While similar, 's'attendre à' focuses more on the mental state of expectation itself.

Idioms & Expressions

"s'attendre à des miracles"

— To expect the impossible or highly unlikely; to hope for a miraculous outcome.

Il ne comprend pas les bases et veut déjà passer à l'examen final, il s'attend à des miracles !

Informal
"ne pas s'attendre à des clous"

— To not expect much or anything significant; to have low expectations, often ironically.

Ce restaurant est très simple, n'en attendez pas des clous, mais le repas est correct.

Informal
"s'attendre à ce que le ciel nous tombe sur la tête"

— To expect the worst possible outcome, often in a dramatic or exaggerated way.

Avec toutes ces mauvaises nouvelles, on pourrait s'attendre à ce que le ciel nous tombe sur la tête.

Informal
"s'attendre à la mort"

— To be in a life-threatening situation; to expect the worst possible outcome, often literally.

Dans cette bataille acharnée, les soldats s'attendaient à la mort à chaque instant.

Formal/Literary
"s'attendre à la roue tourner"

— To expect fortune to change, often for the better after a period of bad luck.

Après tant de malchance, il attendait que la roue tourne.

Informal
"s'attendre à la pluie et au beau temps"

— To expect all kinds of weather or situations, both good and bad; to be prepared for anything.

Un bon leader doit s'attendre à la pluie et au beau temps.

Informal
"s'attendre à un coup de théâtre"

— To expect a sudden, dramatic turn of events; a plot twist.

Dans ce roman policier, chaque chapitre semble s'attendre à un coup de théâtre.

Neutral
"s'attendre à la foire d'empoigne"

— To expect a chaotic or disorderly situation; a free-for-all.

Quand on ouvre les portes sans contrôle, on peut s'attendre à la foire d'empoigne.

Informal
"s'attendre à la grande lessive"

— To expect a thorough cleaning or a major upheaval, often to get rid of problems or old habits.

Après cette période difficile, l'entreprise a besoin d'une grande lessive.

Informal
"s'attendre à la foire aux vanités"

— To expect a situation where people are showing off or boasting, often in a superficial way.

Ce gala de charité ressemble plus à une foire aux vanités qu'à un événement altruiste.

Informal

Easily Confused

s'attendre à vs attendre

Both verbs relate to a sense of future occurrence. 'Attendre' is transitive and means 'to wait for', while 's'attendre à' is reflexive and means 'to expect'.

'Attendre' is used when you are physically or mentally waiting for someone or something to arrive or happen. 'S'attendre à' is used when you believe something is likely to happen or are mentally prepared for it. For example, 'J'attends mon ami' (I am waiting for my friend) versus 'Je m'attends à ce que mon ami arrive bientôt' (I expect my friend to arrive soon).

Il attend son colis. (He is waiting for his package.) vs. Il s'attend à recevoir son colis aujourd'hui. (He expects to receive his package today.)

s'attendre à vs espérer

Both express a sentiment about the future, but 'espérer' is about desire and 's'attendre à' is about likelihood.

'Espérer' conveys a wish or a hope that something will happen, often without strong evidence. 'S'attendre à' implies a stronger belief in the probability of an event occurring. For instance, 'J'espère qu'il fera beau' (I hope the weather will be nice) is a wish, while 'Je m'attends à ce qu'il fasse beau' (I expect the weather to be nice) suggests a stronger prediction.

Nous espérons gagner la compétition. (We hope to win the competition.) vs. Nous nous attendons à gagner la compétition. (We expect to win the competition.)

s'attendre à vs prévoir

Both relate to looking ahead, but 'prévoir' often implies planning or concrete forecasting.

'Prévoir' means to foresee, forecast, or plan for something. It's often used for predictions with data or for making arrangements. 'S'attendre à' is more about a general mental anticipation of a likely outcome. For example, 'Les météorologues prévoient de la pluie' (Meteorologists forecast rain) is a professional prediction, whereas 'Je m'attends à de la pluie' (I expect rain) is a personal anticipation.

Le gouvernement prévoit une augmentation des impôts. (The government plans for a tax increase.) vs. Les citoyens s'attendent à une augmentation des impôts. (Citizens expect a tax increase.)

s'attendre à vs anticiper

Both involve looking ahead and considering future events.

'Anticiper' means to anticipate, foresee, or to take action in advance based on a prediction. 'S'attendre à' is primarily about the state of expecting. You might 'anticiper' problems by taking preventative measures, while you 's'attendre à' problems as a likely outcome. For example, 'Il faut anticiper les difficultés' (One must anticipate difficulties - implies taking action) vs. 'Je m'attends à des difficultés' (I expect difficulties - expresses the likelihood).

Elle anticipe les réactions négatives. (She anticipates negative reactions - possibly preparing for them.) vs. Elle s'attend à des réactions négatives. (She expects negative reactions - stating the likelihood.)

s'attendre à vs se douter de

Both can imply a level of uncertainty about the future.

'Se douter de' means 'to suspect', implying a hunch or an intuitive feeling, often with less certainty than 's'attendre à'. 'S'attendre à' suggests a stronger belief in the likelihood of an event. For example, 'Je me doute qu'il n'est pas honnête' (I suspect he is not honest) is a weaker belief than 'Je m'attends à ce qu'il mente' (I expect him to lie).

Je me doute qu'il y a un problème. (I suspect there is a problem.) vs. Je m'attends à ce qu'il y ait un problème. (I expect there to be a problem.)

Sentence Patterns

A2

Subject + s'attendre à + Noun

Je m'attends à une visite.

A2

Subject + s'attendre à + Infinitive

Ils s'attendent à gagner.

B1

Subject + s'attendre à ce que + Clause (Indicative)

Nous nous attendons à ce qu'il pleuve.

B1

Subject + ne pas s'attendre à + Noun

Elle ne s'attendait pas à un tel cadeau.

B2

Subject + s'attendre à + Noun Phrase

Les experts s'attendent à une croissance lente.

B2

Subject + s'attendre à ce que + Clause (Subjunctive/Indicative)

Je m'attends à ce que tu comprennes.

C1

Subject + s'attendre à + Infinitive Phrase

Le public s'attend à être émerveillé.

C1

Subject + s'attendre à + Pronoun 'y'

C'est difficile, mais je m'y attends.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Related

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How to Use It

frequency

Very high

Common Mistakes
  • Forgetting the preposition 'à' → Je m'attends à un retard.

    The verb 's'attendre' always requires the preposition 'à' to link it to its object. Saying 'Je m'attends un retard' is grammatically incorrect.

  • Using 'attendre' instead of 's'attendre à' → Je m'attends à ce qu'il pleuve.

    'Attendre' means 'to wait for'. 'S'attendre à' means 'to expect'. Using 'J'attends qu'il pleuve' would mean 'I am waiting for it to rain', which is different from expecting it to rain.

  • Incorrect reflexive pronoun → Nous nous attendons à des problèmes.

    As a reflexive verb, 's'attendre' needs the correct reflexive pronoun to agree with the subject. 'Nous' requires 'nous' (nous nous attendons), not 'se' or 'me'.

  • Omitting 'ce que' when expecting a clause → Elle s'attend à ce que le projet soit terminé.

    When the expectation is a full clause (subject + verb), you need 'à ce que' to introduce it. Saying 'Elle s'attend que le projet soit terminé' is incorrect.

  • Confusing expectation with hope → Je m'attends à ce qu'il vienne.

    'S'attendre à' implies a stronger likelihood than 'espérer' (to hope). If you just wish for something without strong reason, use 'espérer'. If you believe it's probable, use 's'attendre à'.

Tips

Remember the 'à'!

The most crucial rule for 's'attendre à' is that it is always followed by the preposition 'à'. This preposition is non-negotiable and forms a tight unit with the verb. Make it a habit to always include it, whether you are expecting a noun, an infinitive, or a clause.

Distinguish from 'Attendre'

Be careful not to confuse 's'attendre à' (to expect) with 'attendre' (to wait for). 'Attendre' is transitive and doesn't use 'à'. 'Je m'attends à un retard' (I expect a delay) is different from 'J'attends le bus' (I am waiting for the bus).

Visualize 'Stretching Towards'

To remember 's'attendre à', visualize yourself physically stretching your arms 'towards' (ad) something in the future. This mental image connects the verb 'attendre' (to stretch) with the act of expecting. The 'à' is the target of your stretch.

Sentence Building

Actively construct sentences using 's'attendre à' with different subjects, objects (nouns, infinitives), and clauses ('ce que'). This hands-on practice will solidify your understanding and usage.

Nasal Vowels and Linking

Pay attention to the nasal vowel 'ɑ̃' in 'attendre' and the linking sounds between 's' and 'attendre', and 'attendre' and 'à'. Correct pronunciation will make your French sound much more natural.

Listen Actively

When watching French movies or listening to podcasts, actively listen for 's'attendre à'. Try to identify what the speaker is expecting and note the context in which the phrase is used.

Expectation vs. Hope

Distinguish 's'attendre à' (expect, based on likelihood) from 'espérer' (to hope, based on desire). You might 'espérer' to win the lottery but 's'attendre à' a bill arriving in the mail.

Reflexive Pronouns

Remember that 's'attendre' is a reflexive verb. Ensure the reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nous, vous, se) correctly matches the subject of the sentence.

Use in Daily Life

Think about your own daily expectations: What do you expect for breakfast? What do you expect from your commute? What do you expect from your friends? Try to express these in French using 's'attendre à'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine yourself 'stretching' (tendere) your arms 'towards' (ad) a gift box that is coming your way. You are 'stretching towards' it, so you 'expect' it to arrive. The 's' in 's'attendre' makes it personal: you are stretching yourself towards the expectation.

Visual Association

Picture a person standing with arms outstretched, looking eagerly towards the horizon. The horizon represents the future, and their outstretched arms symbolize their 'expectations' or their 'stretching towards' what's coming. The 'à' can be seen as the point on the horizon they are reaching for.

Word Web

Expectation Anticipation Future Likelihood Prediction Hope Waiting Outlook

Challenge

Try to use 's'attendre à' in five sentences describing what you expect to happen tomorrow, using different subjects and objects of expectation. For example: 'Je m'attends à une journée chargée.', 'Nous nous attendons à ce que le temps soit beau.', 'Il s'attend à recevoir un colis.'

Word Origin

The verb 'attendre' comes from the Vulgar Latin 'attendere', which itself is a compound of 'ad' (to, towards) and 'tendere' (to stretch, to extend). The reflexive form 's'attendre' developed from this, with the 'se' indicating a focus on oneself or a personal state of anticipation. The addition of the preposition 'à' became a fixed grammatical requirement over time, evolving from the original sense of 'stretching oneself towards' something or someone.

Original meaning: To stretch oneself towards, to direct one's attention towards.

Indo-European > Italic > Latin > Romance > French

Cultural Context

While 's'attendre à' is a neutral term, the context can imbue it with emotional weight. Expecting something negative can convey resignation or apprehension. Expecting something positive can express hope or confidence. It's generally polite to clearly state expectations, especially in professional contexts, to avoid misunderstandings.

In English-speaking cultures, 'to expect' is similarly versatile. However, French might use 's'attendre à' in contexts where English speakers might opt for 'to anticipate', 'to foresee', or even 'to count on', depending on the nuance.

Victor Hugo's 'Les Misérables' often features characters with dire expectations, using similar phrasing to convey their harsh realities. French news outlets frequently use 's'attendre à' when reporting on economic forecasts, political analyses, and weather predictions. In French cinema, characters' unmet expectations are a common source of dramatic tension and plot development.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Weather forecasts

  • Je m'attends à de la pluie.
  • On s'attend à une journée ensoleillée.
  • Ils s'attendent à des orages.

Social events

  • Je m'attends à beaucoup de monde.
  • Nous nous attendons à un accueil chaleureux.
  • Elle s'attend à ce que ses amis viennent.

Professional/Academic

  • Je m'attends à un résultat positif.
  • Nous nous attendons à ce que le projet soit terminé.
  • Le client s'attend à une réponse rapide.

Personal plans/intentions

  • Je m'attends à te voir ce soir.
  • Il s'attend à voyager l'année prochaine.
  • Nous nous attendons à réussir.

Expressing surprise (or lack thereof)

  • Je ne m'attendais pas à ça.
  • C'est exactement ce à quoi je m'attendais.
  • Vous vous attendiez à quoi ?

Conversation Starters

"Qu'est-ce que tu t'attends à faire ce week-end ?"

"Penses-tu que la situation va s'améliorer ? Qu'est-ce que tu t'attends à ?"

"Si tu pouvais t'attendre à n'importe quoi, qu'est-ce que ce serait ?"

"Dans quel domaine t'attends-tu à voir le plus de changements dans les dix prochaines années ?"

"Qu'est-ce que tu t'attends à apprendre de nouveau aujourd'hui ?"

Journal Prompts

Écris trois choses que tu t'attends à réaliser dans le mois à venir et pourquoi.

Décris une situation passée où tu ne t'attendais pas à ce qui s'est passé. Qu'as-tu appris de cette expérience ?

Imagine que tu peux t'attendre à n'importe quelle nouvelle demain. Quelle serait la meilleure nouvelle possible et pourquoi ?

Comment tes attentes influencent-elles tes actions et tes émotions au quotidien ?

Écris sur une fois où tes attentes ont été dépassées, soit positivement, soit négativement.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

The main difference lies in their meaning and grammatical function. 'Attendre' is a transitive verb meaning 'to wait for'. For example, 'J'attends mon ami' means 'I am waiting for my friend'. 'S'attendre à' is a reflexive verb meaning 'to expect' and must always be followed by the preposition 'à'. For example, 'Je m'attends à ce que mon ami arrive' means 'I expect my friend to arrive'. The former is about waiting, the latter is about anticipation of likelihood.

Yes, absolutely. 'S'attendre' is a pronominal verb that requires the preposition 'à' to introduce what is being expected. Omitting 'à' is a common grammatical error. So, you must say 'Je m'attends à quelque chose' (I expect something) and not 'Je m'attends quelque chose'.

You use 'ce que' when you are expecting a whole clause or situation, rather than just a noun or an infinitive. For instance, 'Je m'attends à ce que le temps s'améliore' (I expect the weather to improve) uses 'ce que' because 'le temps s'améliore' is a clause. If you were expecting a noun, you would say 'Je m'attends à une amélioration du temps'.

Yes, it can be used with any tense. For past expectations, you typically use the imperfect tense (imparfait) or the compound past tense (passé composé). For example, 'Je m'attendais à ce qu'il pleuve' (I expected it to rain) uses the imperfect, and 'Je ne m'attendais pas à cette surprise' (I did not expect this surprise) uses the imperfect. The meaning remains consistent: expressing an anticipation of a past event.

'S'attendre à' expresses a general anticipation or belief that something is likely to happen. 'Prévoir' means 'to foresee', 'to forecast', or 'to plan for'. 'Prévoir' often implies a more concrete prediction, sometimes based on data or analysis, or making arrangements for the future. For example, 'Les scientifiques prévoient une augmentation de la température' (Scientists forecast a temperature increase), while 'Je m'attends à avoir chaud demain' (I expect to be hot tomorrow) is a personal anticipation.

'Je m'y attends' is a common phrase meaning 'I expect it' or 'I saw it coming'. The pronoun 'y' replaces a previously mentioned situation, event, or outcome. It implies that the speaker was not surprised by what happened because they had already anticipated it.

No, 's'attendre à' is not typically followed directly by an adjective. It is followed by a noun, a pronoun, an infinitive verb, or a clause introduced by 'ce que'. If you want to express an expectation about a quality, you would usually phrase it differently, e.g., 'Je m'attends à ce que le livre soit intéressant' (I expect the book to be interesting).

'S'attendre à' is about expecting something to happen, indicating likelihood. 'Avoir hâte de' means 'to look forward to', expressing eagerness and positive anticipation for something pleasant. You might 's'attendre à' a difficult meeting, but you would 'avoir hâte de' a vacation.

'S'attendre à' is a reflexive verb and conjugates like other reflexive verbs. You need to pair the subject with the correct reflexive pronoun and conjugate 'attendre' accordingly. For example: Present: Je m'attends, Tu t'attends, Il/Elle s'attend, Nous nous attendons, Vous vous attendez, Ils/Elles s'attendent. Imperfect: Je m'attendais, Tu t'attendais, etc. Future: Je m'attendrai, Tu t'attendras, etc.

'S'attendre à' is used across all registers, from informal to formal. The formality often depends on the context and the vocabulary used alongside it. For instance, 'On s'attend à du monde' is informal, while 'Les analystes s'attendent à une récession' is formal.

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