wish and hope

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   Two verbs used to talk about wanting something to happen, but with different meanings about possibility.

   Grammar: Used as a pair in teaching or discussion; not a single verb.

   Patterns

   • wish and hope + that-clause
   • wish and hope for something

   Learners often confuse wish and hope when they talk about the future.

   The difference between wish and hope is that hope is possible and wish is not.

2. 2phrasetransitive or intransitive

   To want something to be true or to happen, especially when it is possible.

   Grammar: Hope takes a that-clause or to-infinitive; wish takes a past tense for unreal situations.

   Patterns

   • hope (that) someone does something
   • hope to do something
   • wish (that) someone did something

   I hope you feel better soon.

   She hopes to study abroad next year.

   I wish I had more free time.

Common combinations

hope for the best

We don't know the result yet, so we just hope for the best.

wish someone luck

I called to wish her luck before the exam.

hope so

Will you come? I hope so.

wishful thinking

Believing he'll change is just wishful thinking.

Synonyms and how they differ

want

Stronger and more direct than hope; it means you desire something, not just that you want it to happen.

expect

Means you think something will happen because it is likely, while hope is more emotional.

Word family

hopeful adjective

Feeling that something good will happen.

hopeless adjective

Feeling no hope at all.

wishful adjective

Based on a wish rather than facts.

Commonly confused: wish and hope or hope? wish and hope or wish?

Practice

Make it your own

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

Explore more words