Hope and Wish (Rick Shur, page 1 of 2)

We use the verb hope when something is very possible.

We use the verb wish about impossible things or things that are not likely to happen (things that you
on!t really e"pect to happen.)
Hope
#o say what you hope about the past, you use the simple past$
% hope she found the restaurant.
% hope he passed his class last semester.
#o say what you hope about the present, you use the present$
% hope he's all right.
% hope he knows where the clinic is.
% hope he's having a goo time in &loria.
% hope he likes %talian foo.
#o say what you hope about the future, you use the present (or the future, although it is less common)$
% hope he has a goo time in &loria ne"t month.
(% hope he!ll have a goo time in &loria ne"t month.)
% hope she comes to see us when she passes through 'ew (ork.
(% hope she!ll come to see us when she passes through 'ew (ork.)
Wish
#o say what you wish about the past, you use the past perfect$
% wish % had passed my )S* class last semester+ ((ou in!t pass.)
% wish she had given me her phone number. (She in!t give it to you.)
#o say what you wish about the present, you use the past$
% wish % had a goo ,ob. ((ou have a ba ,ob now.)
% wish % had a million ollars. ((ou on!t have a lot of money.)
% wish % knew how to speak -apanese. ((ou can!t speak it.)
% wish % could type. ((ou can!t type.)
% wish % were a goo ancer. ((ou!re a ba ancer.)
% wish she were nicer to me. (She!s not nice to you.)
('ote+ We use were for all sub,ects when we use wish.)
#o say what you wish about the future, you use would$
% wish .linton would do more to help the poor.
% wish you would quit smoking soon.
('ote+ %f you think there is a chance that something can happen, use hope, not wish$ #o say, /% hope .linton
does something about healthcare soon/ means that you think there is a strong possibility that he will.)
Hope and Wish (Rick Shur, page 2 of 2)
)"ercises 0se wish or hope an an appropriate verb$
1. % wish % 1111111111111111111111 a bigger house. % can2t have a party for a big crow here.
2. % hope she 111111111111111111111 a goo ,ob soon. She2s three months behin in her rent.
3. % wish he 11111111111111111111111111111. #hose cigarettes have given him a terrible cough+
4. % wish you 111111111111111111111111111 at the party with me last night. %t was so much fun+
5. % hope she 1111111111111111111111111111 the staium tonight with that map we rew for her.
6. % wish the teacher 11111111111111111111111 things more clearly. %2m always confuse in this class.
7. % wish % 11111111111111111111 some well8connecte people who coul help me with my problem.
9. % wish politicians 11111111111111111111111 more honest+ %t seems that they2re always lying.
:. % wish % 111111111111111111111111111 the ;ope when he came to 'ew (ork two years ago.
1<. % hope % 111111111111111111111111111111 the ;ope when he comes here ne"t month.
11. % hope everything 111111111111111111111111111 well for you uring your final e"am ne"t week.
12. % hope everyboy 111111111111111111111111111111 this course ne"t month.
13. % wish there 1111111111111111111111111111 more books about computers in this bookstore.
14. % hope there 1111111111111111111111111 a lot of goo books on computers at the bookstore.
15. % hope he 11111111111111111111111111111 better soon. =e!s been out sick for two weeks+
16. % wish octors 111111111111111111111111111 cure cancer. %t2s such a frightening isease+
17. % wish my granfather 111111111111111111111111111111111 last year. #here are so many things
going on in my life that % wish % coul talk to him about.
19. % hope >argaret 11111111111111111111 the present that we bought for her.
1:. % wish Sam 111111111111111111111111 se" with that girl. =e got her into trouble an now his life is a
mess.
2<. % wish % 11111111111111111111111 .hinese. %t2s impossible to go shopping here in ?ei,ing.