"Hope" vs. "Wish" in English (2024)

FAQs

"Hope" vs. "Wish" in English? ›

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.

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.

Pro-tip: If we don't know the outcome of something, we use hope. Once we know the outcome and we can't change it, we use wish. I hope I get a good score on my exam. I wish I had gotten a good score on my exam.

To express a future desire, hope usually takes a simple present verb, and wish mostly follows the pattern of the second conditional (i.e., using would and other past patterns). In the past, wish follows the pattern of the third conditional (i.e., using had + p.p.).

“I hope” is used for realistic expectations: I hope I pass this test. I hope I get a new iphone for Christmas. “I wish” is used for unreal situations, or expectations that you don't really expect to happen: I wish I were king of the world.

An example would be hoping you can run as fast as your teammate in the next relay race, or hoping that your outfit is as well-tailored as your best friend's.

ambition, aspiration, choice, hope, inclination, intention, longing, prayer, preference, request, will, yearning.

It is possible. The noun clause that follows “hope” is in the present tense. However, if you say: “I wish we could meet again” or “I wish we could be together again,” you suggest that it's unlikely.

What is the grammar rule for hope? ›

With the verb hope, we use the present simple tense even though we are talking about the future. However, some English speakers will use a future tense (which may not be good grammar), but is acceptable. I hope I pass = I hope I will pass. He hopes he gets a job = He hopes he will get a job.

The past tense of wish is wished. The third-person singular simple present indicative form of wish is wishes. The present participle of wish is wishing. The past participle of wish is wished.

to want something to happen and think that it is possible hope (for something) We are hoping for good weather on Sunday. All we can do now is wait and hope. “Do you think it will rain?” “I hope not.” “Will you be back before dark?” “I hope so, yes.” The exam went better than I'd hoped.

While “wish” is used for hypothetical or unreal situations, “hope” is used for real possibilities. For example, “I wish I had a bigger house” expresses a desire for something currently unattainable, while “I hope I get a bigger house” implies that there is a real possibility of obtaining a bigger house.

For many children, it's an opportunity to choose something just for them – a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Wishes can be divided into four key themes, to have, to be, to meet, or to go.

Expressing Wishes

We use 'may' at the beginning of the sentence to express wishes, hopes, condolences, and prayers. For example: May all your wishes come true. May he rest in peace.

Definition for wish. noun as in desire. Synonyms Antonyms. Strongest matches. ambition, aspiration, choice, hope, inclination, intention, longing, prayer, preference, request, will, yearning.

We use hope when we do not know whether something will happen or not but we want it to happen. We use hope in the following patterns: hope + to-infinitive: I think you were hoping to see your family next week.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly. noun. a specific feeling of desire. “he got his wish”