What is the Difference between “Wish” and “Hope”?

 Today in one of our English classes, a student asked: “What is the difference between wish and hope ? Don’t both of them speak about things in the future?”

They do, but they need different grammar patterns, and the patterns tell us about how probable the speaker is about their coming true.

For example: When we say “I hope I can see you again” or “I hope we meet again,” you suggest that it may happen. It is possible. The noun clause that follows “hope” is in the present tense.

However, if you say: “I wish we could meet again” or “I wish we could be together again,” you suggest that it’s unlikely. It’s a fantasy. We follow wish with the conditional II or the Conditional III forms. (If you do not know this grammar, you can look at PELA blog articles in the archives that explain it.)

If you say: “I hope I am in a relationship like that some day” or “I hope I have a partner like that some day,” it means you are optimistic about your chances.

If you say: “I wish I had a relationship like that one” or “I wish someone loved me that much,” it means you aren’t in such a relationship now and doubt you will ever be in one like that.

This graduate is optimistic. She says: I hope I find a good job soon. I hope I have my dream job by this time next year.

This graduate is pessimistic. She says: I wish I had a job. I wish the economy were better. I wish I had some connections who could help me find a job.

Now you try:

(some example answers are below)

She hopes

She wishes

He hopes

He wishes

They hope

They wish

Possible answers:

• She hopes the protest doesn’t become violent.
• She wishes racism were a thing of the past
• He hopes he can take a break soon.
• He wishes he could play guitar like his heroes.
• They hope they can block the other’s shot.
• They wish they were even taller and more powerful.

This difference between “wish” and “hope” is very important. Native English speakers can ‘feel’ the difference between them but can’t always explain that difference!