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S’attendre à 🆚 prévoir
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In French, "s’attendre à" and "prévoir" are two expressions that deal with looking ahead to the future, but they have distinct nuances in terms of usage and meaning.

S’attendre à

The expression "s’attendre à" is used to express anticipation or mental preparation for a situation or event that one thinks is probable or certain to occur. It often involves an emotional or psychological dimension.

  • Je m’attends à des difficultés. (I expect difficulties. [Anticipation based on personal estimation or intuition.])
  • Elle s'attend à ce que le train soit en retard. (She expects the train to be late. [Mental preparation for a possibility.])

Prévoir

"Prévoir", on the other hand, suggests planning or predicting based on data, facts, or past trends. It can involve taking concrete steps in anticipation of a future event.

  • Nous prévoyons une augmentation des ventes. (We anticipate an increase in sales. [Prediction based on analysis or trends.])
  • Il a prévu assez de nourriture pour tout le monde. (He planned for enough food for everyone. [Material planning and preparation.])

Distinction and Usage

The main difference between "s’attendre à" and "prévoir" lies in the subjective versus objective nature of the anticipation:

  • "S’attendre à" has a more personal and subjective connotation, often involving an emotional or mental reaction to a future possibility.
  • "Prévoir" is generally more objective, related to concrete actions or predictions based on analysis.