A desired event can still happen, or reality can be different from what you want.

The idea

Use hope for a possible outcome, often with a present clause or to and a verb. Use wish with a past form for an unreal present, or a past perfect for regret about the past.

Patterns to compare
VerbTypical use
hopea desired outcome that is possible
wisha desired situation that differs from reality

Examples

  • I hope the rain stops before the picnic.
  • Mina hopes to visit her cousins next month.
  • We hope the parcel arrives today.
  • I wish I had more time to paint.
  • Leo wishes he lived closer to the sea.
  • They wish they had brought an umbrella.

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Watch out

Do not say I wish it rains tomorrow for a possible forecast; say I hope it rains tomorrow.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the correct word. I ___ the train is on time tomorrow. (hope / wish)

    Show answer or example answer

    hope

    hope: The train can still arrive on time.

  2. Choose the correct word. I ___ I knew the answer, but I do not. (hope / wish)

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    wish

    wish: The speaker does not know the answer now.

  3. Choose the correct word. Nora ___ she had saved the file before the computer crashed. (hopes / wishes)

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    wishes

    wishes: The crash has already happened, so saving the file is a past regret.

Use it today

Describe a possible future event and something you would change about today.