Wish or Hope? Please feel welcome to provide feedback or constructive criticism.

The word “hope” is used to express a desire in a circumstance that is possible.

It can be used in a past tense:

I hope my cat did not eat my mouse – did it? Maybe it did, because a cat eating a mouse is possible.

It can be used in present tense:

I hope my cat is not eating my mouse – is it? Maybe it did, because a cat eating a mouse is possible.

It can be used in future tense:

I hope my cat will not eat my mouse – will it? Maybe it did, because a cat eating a mouse is possible.

 

The important word to remember is “possible”. It is “possible” for a cat to eat a mouse.

 

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The word “wish” is a little more complicated, and can sometimes be replaced with the word “hope” following unusual tense use and changes in sentence structure.

 

It can be used to express a desire in a circumstance that is impossible. (when there is no hope)

I wish I could fly like a bird.

I wish I had four arms.

I wish the sun never went down.

It can be used to express regret from past circumstances that are impossible to change. (when there is no hope)

I wish I had not lied to my mother.

I wish my dog had not run away.

I wish the car accident never happened.

 

It can be used to express a desire for something to be different in our lives. (when there is some hope)

I wish I had more friends – I hope I will have more friends.
Having more friends is possible. You can wish and hope for that.

I wish my brother was not messy – I hope my brother will be less messy.
A brother being less messy is possible. You can wish and hope for that.

I wish I could play the guitar – I hope I will play the guitar one day.
It is possible to learn the guitar. You can wish and hope for that.

 

It can be used to express a desire for something to happen in the lives of others. (when there is some hope)

I wish everyone peace – I hope everyone will have peace.

I wish you safe travels – I hope your travels will be safe.

I wish you a happy new year – I hope you have a happy new year.

 

It can be used as a direct, formal replacement for the word “want”, and sometimes “hope”. All these circumstances are possible and hence the variations with the use of the word “hope”

I want/wish/hope to understand English better.

I want/wish/hope to learn Hànzì, but Pīnyīn is slowing my progress.

I want/wish this article to have no mistakes and make clear sense to anyone who reads it.

I hope this article will have no mistakes and make clear sense to anyone who reads it.

 

You may notice tense confusion in some of the examples shown. I would like to explain this to you but it might lead to further confusion. However, if you practice these and then begin creating your own, it is possible that any confusion you have will clear up naturally - that's how it happened in my life. I hope it will for you too, and I wish you the best. : )

 

For further examples and clarification on tense use visit the site liked below. This is where the notes were taken for the text provided above.

 

http://englishhelponline.me/2010/03/03/the-difference-between-words-wish-and-hope/