Hope vs. Wish
Wish is most commonly used in hypothetical (or imagined) situations:
- I wish that I had a dog. (I don’t really have a dog, but if I did, I would be happy.)
- I wish (that) you were here. (Unfortunately, you’re not, and I miss you.)
Sometimes wish is used in greeting and expressions of goodwill:
- We wish you a “Merry Christmas.”
They wished him “Happy Birthday.” - Wish me luck.(S V IO DO)
Hope can also be used in expressions of goodwill, but the grammar is slightly different:
| I hope (that) you have a Merry Christmas.
I hope (that) you had a nice Birthday. |
(some time in the future)
(some time in the past) |
Hope can be used to specify a desired outcome. For future hopes, the possibilities remain open, but for past hopes, the outcome has usually been determined already.
I hope you can come to the party on Saturday. I was hoping that you would come to the party. I had hoped to see you at the party on Saturday. I hope to get an A on the exam. I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow. He hopes to be elected President. She hoped you wouldn’t find her. |
(future possibility) (but you didn’t make it) (but I didn’t) (it is still possible) (although it might) (it could happen) (but you probably did) |
Wish and hope are also used in certain types of requests and pleasantries. In such situations, wish carries a more definite and formal tone.
|
(right now) (anytime in the future) |
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