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.
