Difference between a wish and a hope (2024)

FAQs

Difference between a wish and a hope? ›

Both of these words refer to one's future desires. However, we use 'wish' to show what someone longs for, but in most cases, it is not possible for them to get what they want. It is just what they think of having, whereas, 'hope' refers to how someone is looking forward to something happening.

I was told by an English teacher that the main difference between the verbs hope and wish is that when we use hope we do not know all the facts (a kind of future meaning) and when we use wish we know all the facts already. For instance, 'I hope you will be OK' and 'I wish you were here' (from Pink Floyd).

Hope means that you want something in the future. "I hope I pass my test." Want is just you would like something. "I want to eat a cookie." Wish is similar to hope, but usually it is not used for yourself. You could say, "I wish that you pass your test." but not "I wish that I pass my test."

Sometimes, the preferred outcome we desire is based on little evidence, a type of hope we call “wishful thinking.” Wishful thinking is when we choose to believe something will happen, despite little evidence to suggest it will actually happen, usually just to make ourselves feel better.

Both of these words refer to one's future desires. However, we use 'wish' to show what someone longs for, but in most cases, it is not possible for them to get what they want. It is just what they think of having, whereas, 'hope' refers to how someone is looking forward to something happening.

There are five types of wishes: to have, to give, to meet, to be and to go.

We use wishes for past or present situations that we cannot alter. Wishes can also be used for future situations that are highly unlikely to happen. Hopes, on the other hand, are more optimistic than wishes and are used for probable or likely future situations.

Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence.” Scripture tells us that our hope is not in this world, but in the next. This life is temporary, and while it's easy to be caught up in our daily experiences, we must remember to look forward to the beautiful future that God has promised.

What is the difference between wish and hope in the Bible? ›

Perhaps the core difference comes down to this: whereas our wishes originate inside our own hearts and minds, true hopes are shared with us as gifts from God's own heart. Unlike wishes, hopes aren't things we come up with, but longings for God to follow through on promises already given.

I discuss three different kinds of hope – ordinary hope, active hope, and faith in humanity – and how at least two out of three of these kinds of hope remain accessible to us no matter what happens.

Hope is much more powerful than optimism, Winfrey and Brooks point out, because hope involves personal agency and it gives a sense of power and motivation. Hope is an active choice. We choose to be hopeful, just as we choose to give up hope.

Is hope an emotion? While hope certainly involves our emotions, hope itself is not an emotion. Hope is a way of thinking or a state of being. This means that hope can be taught.

That's why the Bible tells Christians to live by faith – faith in God and nothing else. Biblical faith has nothing to do with wishful thinking about things turning out the way we want. In fact, to have hope in our state of affairs often sets us up for major disappointment, if not a crisis of belief.

I wish I could speak Spanish fluently. I wish I had taken that job offer. I wish I were taller. I wish I had tried harder for the exam.