I expect

I guess & I expect & I suppose & I suspect

1. a phrase that introduces a supposition. (Frequently, in speech,

suppose

is reduced to '

spose

, and

expect

and

suspect

are reduced to '

spect

. The apostrophe is not always shown.) •

Bob: I guess it's going to rain. Bill: Oh, I don't know. Maybe so, maybe not.

•

Alice: I expect you'll be wanting to leave pretty soon. John: Why? It's early yet.

2. a vague way of answering 'yes'. •

John: You want some more coffee? Jane: I 'spose.

•

Alice: Ready to go? John: I spect.