1. Explanation

Expect refers to the future. It should never be used with reference to either the present or the past. Such common expressions as, I expect you were busy yesterday, and I expect she is sick, are incorrect. But we may say, I expect that to-morrow will be a pleasant day.

Guess and think may be used in speaking of present, past, or future events. Guess, according to the best usage, means to try to arrive at a truth at random without knowledge of the subject, or, at least, without using the knowledge one has. We may guess how many peas there are in a covered box, or we may guess the answer to a problem without solving it. To think is to reach an opinion because of definite reasons or evidence. Believe may often be used instead of think.

2. Exercise

Fill blanks in the following sentences with guess, expect, or think:

1. I------that you ought to do this.

2. I------that the child will forget me.

3. ------how many kinds of birds I have seen to-day.

4. Do you------that she understands the matter?

5.------carefully; do not------.

6. We------to start at six o'clock.

7. I------the train must be late.

8. I------you are mistaken.

9. ------what I have in my hand.

10. Try to------what you did with the book.

11. I------that she will want me to help her.

12. I------she meant to do the right thing.