Hope is used to express a possibility that something happened in the past or will happen in the future. It uses structures like "Subject hopes that subject simple past" for the past and "Subject hopes that subject could base form" for the future. Wish expresses that something definitely did not happen in the past or will not happen in the future, using structures like "Subject wishes that subject past perfect" and "Subject wishes that subject could base form", respectively. Examples are provided to illustrate the uses and structures of hope and wish.
2. USING HOPE
The verb hope is used to express:
An event that possibly happened (Past).
An event that will possibly happen (Future).
In other words, there is a chance for an event to
be real.
3. HOPE IN THE PAST
STRUCTURE FORMATION
In order to express a possibility in the past, the
following rule is followed:
**Subject + hope + that* + **subject + simple past
*The word “that” is optional in the sentence and can be
excluded from it without alterating its meaning.
** The subject can be the same person or two different
people.
4. SOME EXAMPLES – N°1
Let´s analyze some sentences.
Antonio hopes (that) she enjoyed the party
Subject Subject Simple past
Explanation:
This sentence expresses that Antonio does not know
if she enjoyed the party but there is a possibility that
it happened.
5. SOME EXAMPLES – N°2
We hope (that) they got to the airport on time.
Subject Subject Simple past
EXPLANATION
According to the sentence, we as speakers are not sure if
they got to the airport on time but there is a possibility for it
to be a real fact.
6. HOPE IN THE FUTURE
STRUCTURE FORMATION
To express a possibility in the future, the following
rule is followed:
**Subject + hope + that* + **subject + could – base form
*The word “that” is optional in the sentence and can be
excluded from it without alterating its meaning.
**The subject can be the same person in both positions or
two different people.
7. SOME EXAMPLES – N°1
Roger hopes (that) Sara could join the party.
Subject Subject Base form
EXPLANATION
In this sentence, Roger is not sure if Sara will
join the party but the chance is there.
8. SOME EXAMPLES – N°2
Katherine hopes (that) David could lend her some money.
Subject Subject Base form
EXPLANATION
Although Katherine does not know if David will
lend her some money, the event will probably
take place in the future.
9. USING WISH
This verb is used to express that:
An event definitely did not happen.
An event definitely will not happen.
Therefore, it is not possible.
10. WISH IN THE PAST
STRUCTURE FORMATION
When writing sentences with “wish” the order should be:
**Subject + wish + that* + **subject + past perfect
*It is not necessary to use the word “that”.
Omitting it does not cause any modification in the meaning of the
sentence.
** The subject can be the same person in both positions or two
different people.
11. SOME EXAMPLES – N° 1
Veronica wishes (that) they had called her.
Subject Subject Past perfect
EXPLANATION
In this sentence, the event did not happen and it
is just a desire.
12. WISH IN THE FUTURE
STRUCTURE FORMATION
If the speaker needs to express that something
definetely will not happen, the following formula
is used:
**Subject + wish + that* + **subject + could + base form
*The word “that” is optional in the sentence and can
be excluded from it without alterating its meaning.
**The subject can be the same person in both
positions or two different people.
13. EXAMPLE N°1
Paul wishes (that) they could train next week.
Subject Subject Base form
EXPLANATION
In this case, the speaker means that they will not
train next week. Paul is just expressing a desire.
