What is the difference between wish and hope?
We use wish to talk about things that are impossible or unlikely to happen.
Example: I wish I were taller.
We use hope to talk about things that we want or expect for the future.
Example: I hope I pass my exam.
How do you use wish and hope?
WISH
4 different ways to use wish
1- Imaginary or unlikely situations:
wish + past simple (present)
wish + past perfect (in the past)
We use wish + Past Simple to talk about things that we would like to be different in the present or the future.
Examples:
- I wish I were taller. (I am not tall.) ( You can use were instead of was )
- I wish I didn’t need to work today. (I do need to work today)
- He wishes he knew how to speak Spanish. (He doesn’t know how to speak Spanish.)
We use wish + Past Perfect to talk about something we would like to change about the past.
Examples:
- I wish I hadn’t eaten so much. (I ate a lot.)
- Tom wishes he had studied harder at school. (He didn’t study hard at school.)
2- Expressing annoyance:
We can use wish + would if we are annoyed about something that is or is not happening.
wish + would = for an irritation that can change
*It’s generally used about other people. It is not usually used about ourselves.
Examples:
- I wish he would be quiet. (He is not quiet and I don’t like the noise.)
- I wish you would tidy your room. (I think you can, but you don’t, so please do.)
- I wish it would stop raining.
3- To want
wish + to – infinitive is used to mean want in a formal situation.
Examples:
- I wish to see the manager.
- I wish to leave now.
wish + object + to + infinitive = want ( * This is very formal)
- I wish you to leave now.
4- For expressions of good wishes
We use wish + somebody + something for expressions of good wishes that good things will happen to people.
Examples:
- I wish you luck in your new job.
- We wish you a happy life.
HOPE
We use hope when we talk about something we want or expect for the future.
Hope + to + verb : I hope to see you soon.
hope+present tense: I hope she passes the test next week.
*After hope, we often use present verb forms to refer to the future, but will is possible for the future meaning.
Hope + will + Verb
I hope you will pass your exam tomorrow.