hope or wish

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   A common grammar question about choosing between the verbs 'hope' and 'wish' when talking about wants.

   Grammar: Used as a topic label: 'hope or wish — which one?'

   Patterns

   • hope or wish?

   Students often ask about hope or wish when they talk about the future.

   The exercise on hope or wish confused the whole class.

   If you search 'hope or wish', you'll find many grammar pages.

2. 2verbtransitive or intransitive

   Use 'hope' when you want something to happen and you believe it is possible.

   Grammar: Followed by 'that' plus a present or future verb, or by 'to' plus an infinitive.

   Patterns

   • hope (that) something happens
   • hope to do something
   • hope for something

   I hope you feel better soon.

   We hope to visit Japan next year.

   She is hoping for good weather tomorrow.

3. 3verbtransitive or intransitive

   Use 'wish' when you want reality to be different and you know it probably is not.

   Grammar: Often followed by a past-tense verb after 'that' to show something unreal: 'I wish I had more time.'

   Patterns

   • wish (that) something were different
   • wish someone something
   • wish to do something

   I wish I had more free time.

   He wishes he could speak French.

   We wish you a happy birthday.

Common combinations

hope for the best

We can't control the result, so let's just hope for the best.

wish someone luck

I wished her luck before the interview.

I wish I knew

I wish I knew the answer to that question.

hope so

'Will they come?' 'I hope so.'

wishful thinking

Believing prices will drop is just wishful thinking.

Synonyms and how they differ

want

'Want' states a plain desire; 'hope' adds the idea that the thing may really happen.

expect

'Expect' suggests you think something will happen; 'hope' only says you would like it to.

Word family

hopeful adjective

Feeling that something good will happen.

hopeless adjective

Feeling no hope at all, or impossible to solve.

wishful adjective

Based on wanting rather than on facts, as in 'wishful thinking'.

Commonly confused: hope or wish or hope vs. wish?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “hope or wish”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words