Cortical oscillations and sensory predictions are central to how the brain processes sensory information. The brain continuously updates an internal model of the world to predict sensory events, involving both 'what' and 'when' predictions. Predictive coding, a theory of perception, suggests that the brain infers the most likely causes of sensory events using probabilistic computations. Predictive timing, which involves anticipating the timing of events, is supported by slow cortical oscillations that tune brain activity to rhythmic events, optimizing signal selection. Delta-theta oscillations play a key role in predictive timing by aligning with the regularity of events, facilitating faster stimulus detection and reducing early sensory responses when stimuli are expected. Predictive timing is also linked to beta oscillations, which modulate sensory processing and are involved in both rhythmic modulation of sensory sampling and top-down transmission of content-specific predictions. Gamma oscillations are associated with sensory processing and are modulated by prediction errors, reflecting the mismatch between expectations and actual sensory input. Predictive coding involves the brain using available information to predict future events and reduce sensory uncertainty. Gamma oscillations are involved in this process, reflecting the difference between top-down predictions and incoming sensory input. Beta oscillations, on the other hand, are involved in both the rhythmic modulation of sensory sampling and the transmission of content-specific predictions. The combination of predictive timing and coding in the oscillatory framework is illustrated by speech processing. Predictive timing helps in processing speech by aligning neuronal excitability with important speech cues and suppressing less important parts. Predictive coding, on the other hand, involves the brain using prior knowledge to predict the content of upcoming stimuli. These two mechanisms work together to facilitate sensory processing and detection. The article also discusses the role of attention and expectation in sensory processing, highlighting how they modulate neural responses in different ways. Attention increases neural responses to attended stimuli, while expectations reduce responses to expected stimuli. These mechanisms are supported by evidence from neurophysiological studies and are integrated into a framework that relies on cortical oscillations to explain sensory predictions. The interplay between attention, prediction, and oscillatory activity is crucial for efficient sensory processing and cognitive functions.Cortical oscillations and sensory predictions are central to how the brain processes sensory information. The brain continuously updates an internal model of the world to predict sensory events, involving both 'what' and 'when' predictions. Predictive coding, a theory of perception, suggests that the brain infers the most likely causes of sensory events using probabilistic computations. Predictive timing, which involves anticipating the timing of events, is supported by slow cortical oscillations that tune brain activity to rhythmic events, optimizing signal selection. Delta-theta oscillations play a key role in predictive timing by aligning with the regularity of events, facilitating faster stimulus detection and reducing early sensory responses when stimuli are expected. Predictive timing is also linked to beta oscillations, which modulate sensory processing and are involved in both rhythmic modulation of sensory sampling and top-down transmission of content-specific predictions. Gamma oscillations are associated with sensory processing and are modulated by prediction errors, reflecting the mismatch between expectations and actual sensory input. Predictive coding involves the brain using available information to predict future events and reduce sensory uncertainty. Gamma oscillations are involved in this process, reflecting the difference between top-down predictions and incoming sensory input. Beta oscillations, on the other hand, are involved in both the rhythmic modulation of sensory sampling and the transmission of content-specific predictions. The combination of predictive timing and coding in the oscillatory framework is illustrated by speech processing. Predictive timing helps in processing speech by aligning neuronal excitability with important speech cues and suppressing less important parts. Predictive coding, on the other hand, involves the brain using prior knowledge to predict the content of upcoming stimuli. These two mechanisms work together to facilitate sensory processing and detection. The article also discusses the role of attention and expectation in sensory processing, highlighting how they modulate neural responses in different ways. Attention increases neural responses to attended stimuli, while expectations reduce responses to expected stimuli. These mechanisms are supported by evidence from neurophysiological studies and are integrated into a framework that relies on cortical oscillations to explain sensory predictions. The interplay between attention, prediction, and oscillatory activity is crucial for efficient sensory processing and cognitive functions.