/Conditionals
B1Conditionals

Hope vs Wish

1

What is it?

"Hope" and "wish" both express desires, but they work differently. "Hope" is used for realistic, possible situations and uses present simple or "will" in the that-clause. "Wish" is used for unreal, unlikely, or impossible situations and uses past tenses to show the distance from reality.

2

How to form it

SubjectPositiveNegativeQuestion
Hope (realistic)I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow.I hope you won't be late.Do you hope to get the job?
Wish (unreal)I wish it weren't so cold.I wish I hadn't said that.Do you wish you had more time?
  • • Hope + present simple = desire about the future that is possible: "I hope she arrives soon."
  • • Hope + will = desire about the future: "I hope you will come."
  • • Hope + to + infinitive = personal desire: "I hope to visit Japan one day."
  • • Wish + past simple = unreal wish about the present.
  • • Wish + past perfect = regret about the past.
  • • Wish + would = desire for change in someone's behaviour.
3

When to use it

  1. 1

    Use "hope" for realistic future possibilities

    I hope the weather is nice on Saturday.

  2. 2

    Use "wish" when the situation is not real or very unlikely

    I wish I could fly. (impossible)

  3. 3

    "Hope to" + infinitive for personal goals

    I hope to finish the project by Friday.

  4. 4

    "Wish I could" for present unreal ability

    I wish I could play the piano.

  5. 5

    Don't use "wish + will"

    I hope she will come. (NOT: I wish she will come)

4

Common mistakes

I wish the weather is good tomorrow.

I hope the weather is good tomorrow.

For realistic future desires, use "hope" + present simple. "Wish" would need past tense for an unreal present.

I hope I were taller.

I wish I were taller.

For situations that are not real in the present, use "wish" + past simple/were.

I wish you will come to the party.

I hope you will come to the party.

"Wish + will" is not used. Use "hope" for realistic future possibilities.

5

Quick reference

  • "Hope" = realistic possibility; "wish" = unreal or unlikely situation.
  • Hope + present simple or will for future desires.
  • Wish + past simple for unreal present wishes.
  • Wish + past perfect for regrets about the past.
  • Never say "I wish you will..."
  • Use "hope to" + infinitive for personal aspirations.
6

Natural conversation example

Two students are talking before exam results come out.

J

Jake

I hope I passed. I studied really hard.
A

Amy

I hope so too! I'm so nervous.
J

Jake

I wish I hadn't gone out the night before the exam.
A

Amy

I wish I were better at exams. I always panic.
J

Jake

But you prepared well. I hope your nerves don't get in the way.
A

Amy

I hope to get at least a B. That's all I need for university.
J

Jake

You'll be fine. I wish I had your work ethic, though.
A

Amy

Ha! I wish I had your confidence!

Practice Exercises

Fill in the blank with the correct form using "hope" or "wish".

  1. 1.
    I __ the match starts on time. (realistic)
  2. 2.
    I __ I were taller. (unreal)
  3. 3.
    She __ she had studied harder. (past regret)
  4. 4.
    I __ to travel to Japan next year. (personal goal)
  5. 5.
    He __ it would stop raining. (annoyance)
  6. 6.
    I __ you'll get better soon. (realistic)
  7. 7.
    They __ they had arrived earlier. (regret)
  8. 8.
    I __ she calls me back today. (realistic)
  9. 9.
    I __ I could sing. (unreal ability)
  10. 10.
    We __ to finish the project this week. (goal)
WishAll TopicsIf / Unless

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