Question: "Expect" vs. "Expected" in error messages

[shahamran]

Hi, I have a small question not related to code.
Not sure if it's a language thing (English is not my primary language), but the syntax of compile error messages seems weird to me. For example:

craftinginterpreters/c/compiler.c

Line 582 in 4a840f7

consume(TOKEN_RIGHT_PAREN, "Expect ')' after arguments.");

Why is the verb "Expect" and not "Expected"?

Thanks!

[GoldfieldGeek]

English is indeed a strange and wonderful language. Expect, as used in this context, is forward looking. It means, from where I am now, I expect to find ')' next.

If Expected had been used instead, it would mean looking back. I expected the previous thing to be an ')' instead of what ever I got.