G5: Conditionals IV - Hope vs. Wish

by Tom Rohrbach

HOPE and WISH - What's the difference?

Basically, hopes are real and wishes are unreal.

Grammatically, hopes use the same grammar as REAL "if" clauses,

and wishes have the same grammar as UNREAL "if" clauses.

Let's find out if you understand hopes and wishes in English...

I __ John passed his test.
1. hope
2. wish
3. BOTH are correct here.
In #1 above, did John pass his test?
1. Yes, he did.
2. No, he didn't.
3. We haven't found out yet.
I __ Paula had passed her test.
1. hope
2. wish
3. BOTH are correct here.
In #3 above, did Paula pass her test?
1. Yes, she did.
2. No, she didn't.
3. We don't know yet.
Kendra __ that she can find a new apartment quickly.
1. is hoping
2. is wishing
I __ I were 2 inches taller.
1. hope
2. wish
Randy __ to graduate from college in only 3 years, but it took him 3½.
1. hoped
2. wished
I __ I had applied for a patent on that invention I made 5 years ago. IBM just came out with a similar design.
1. hope
2. wish
Honey, I __ you would stop biting your nails – it’s a nervous habit.
1. hope
2. wish
I __ the cast of “The Big Bang Theory” TV show had been at Denver’s Comic Con this year.
1. hope
2. wish
I __ we can have you over for dinner again sometime soon, Mr. and Mrs. Travis.
1. hope
2. wish
I don’t have a motorcycle, but I’ve always __ I had one.
1. hoped
2. wished