To Hope

Hope can show a future or past desire (something we want). Even though we

want something, “hope” doesn’t mean we will work hard to get it – it’s a
feeling in our heads, but not an action.
 

 I hope I pass the exam! (present tense talking about the future)

 I hope she’ll be okay!

 I had hoped I’d win the race, but I couldn’t do it. (past perfect + past

simple)

 We’re all hoping for a better future. (present continuous taking about

the future)

I hope to finish my career.

I hope you get out from my life.
I hope to carry my bags.
I hope to get my scholarship.
 To Expect

People often confuse the word “expect” with “hope”

or “want”, but the meaning is a little different.
When we expect something, we want something but
we think it is likely or certain to happen.
 

 I expect you to be home before 10pm = I want you to

be home by 10, and if you’re not I will be very angry.
 I don’t expect many people to come to my party = I
think it’s unlikely that many people will come.
 I expect you to be at school on time = Being on time is
the standard that the students should meet.

I expect a good grade.

I expect to finish my work fast.
I don’t expect to win tonight.
I expect to go to the cinema today.
 To wait

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while

expecting something

-Basically to wait is when you pass time until something

else happens or occurs.
To wait is usually related to something physically.
For example:
You wait at the bus stop for the bus.
I wait for my sister after the class.
I am waiting for the book to arrive.
I am waiting in my office for sick people.

I’m waiting for my last school year.

To look forward to

thinking about something in the future, with pleasure

-When you look forward to something, it is a combined sense or

feeling of hoping, expecting and waiting regarding something
pleasurable in the future.
For example I am looking forward to go to Canada this summer.

Now that you have a good understanding of the definitions

for hope wait expect and look forward to, lets look at how each
word changes the meaning of a similar sentence.
Let's use the bus example from above. You will see that each
sentence needs to change a little for it to make sense.
 I wait for the bus at the bus stop everyday.

- If you wait for the bus you are standing in one place
waiting for an event that you need to occur.
 I hope that the bus will arrive on time everyday.

- If you hope the bus arrives on time, you are thinking about
the bus' arrival and that you would like it to arrive on time.
 I expect that the bus will arrive on time everyday.

- If you expect the bus will arrive on time, you are thinking
about the bus' arrival and you are pretty sure it will happen.
 I look forward to speak to the bus driver everyday.

- If you are looking forward to speaking to the bus driver it

means that you like speaking to the driver and you are
anticipating this enjoyable future event.

A Hope wait expect and look forward to Exercise

Can you tell the difference? Try to choose the right answers for the sentences below.

A) I'm ________ (waiting or hoping) for the book I ordered to arrive.

B) I'm ________(expecting or looking forward) to reading the book that I ordered. I love books
about Canada.

C) I________ (expect or hope) that the book arrives soon, I want to read it.

D) I ________ (wait or expect) that it will arrive before next Friday because it should arrive
within 2 weeks of ordering it.
 To Wish
“To wish” is a little different. It does mean something similar to
“want”, but it’s a desire we have on things we can’t control. It’s
often like we want magic to change something.
We usually use the past tense with “wish”. This shows how unlikely
it is to change.
 I wish I was prettier! = I want something to change but I can’t
control it.
 She wishes she could run as fast as her brother.
 I just wish for a happy life – nothing else!

I wish I was smaller.

I wish I had a unicorn.
I wish I was millionaire.
I wish I was a robot.
Want / Would like
“Want” and “would like” are very similar and can be used in the
same way. However, I always recommend that if you are asking
someone else to do something for you, you should use “Would
like”.
“Would like” is much politer and less direct. Here are some
examples.

 I want to be taller = You’re not asking anyone – this is just a

wish- so “want” is fine.
 I want a better phone = Expressing your desire
 I would like a better phone = Asking someone to help you
(politer)
 I would like two coffees and a muffin, please.

Would you like a chocolate cake?

I would like a little rice, please.
I want to specialize in internal medicine.
I want a big car.
Would you like to go to the pool?

I don’t want to play basketball.

She didn’t want to buy cupcakes.
 To Desire

I left this one last, because it’s not as common in everyday conversation. When we talk about the
topic of ‘wanting things’, we often use the word “desire”, but it’s a bit too formal for everyday
talks.

 I desire large amounts of wealth. = This sounds quite formal, and perhaps old-fashioned.

We sometimes use it when “want” or “hope” isn’t enough. “Desire” has a stronger feeling – like
it’s something you will do anything to get.

 She has always desired to have a good husband and start a family. = stronger than “want”

 He desires to become king.

Meet and greet