Do you know the difference between ‘hope’ and ‘wish’? Did you know that these verbs are followed by different grammatical structures in English? Read on to learn the difference, and how to talk about your summer holiday and travel hopes and wishes.
How to use wish
We use ‘wish’ + (that) + past simple to talk about something that we would like to be different in the present or future.
I wish you were here! (I am on holiday without you, and I am writing a postcard to you back at home).
I wish that we didn’t need to work today. (We have to work today, unfortunately)
Verb to be
In formal writing, it is common to use ‘were’ instead of ‘was’ after wish with the first or third person. In spoken English, particularly in British English, it is common to use ‘was’. ‘I wish it were sunnier’ OR ‘I wish it was sunnier’.
Wish + could
‘Could’ is the past simple of ‘can’. We use ‘could’ with ‘wish’ to talk about ability and possibility.
I wish that I could speak German (but, unfortunately, I can’t speak German).
I wish that we could go to the party tonight (unfortunately, we’re busy so we can’t go).
The difference between ‘wish’ and ‘hope’
We use ‘wish’ to talk about things that are impossible or unlikely. We use ‘hope’ to talk about things in the present or future that we think have a good chance of happening. We use hope with the present simple tense.
I hope it doesn’t rain during our camping trip. (talking about an upcoming trip.)
vs. I wish it wasn’t raining. (We are on the camping trip right now and it is raining.)
I hope the hotel has air conditioning. (talking about an upcoming trip.)
vs. I wish the hotel had air conditioning. (We are at the hotel right now, and it is too hot and there is no air conditioning.)
I hope my friends can come to my pool party. (talking about an upcoming party.)
vs. I wish my friends were here at the pool party. (I am at the pool party right now but my friends haven’t come to the party.)
Activity
- I ____ (wish/hope) it ____(be) sunny for our beach trip tomorrow.
- I ____ (wish/hope) we ____(go) abroad for our summer holiday this year.
- I ____ (wish/hope) we _ (not have) to go home tomorrow!
- I ____ (wish/hope) my best friend ____(can come) to summer camp with me.
- I ____(wish/hope) the hotel ____(have) a swimming pool.
- I ____ (wish/hope) the flight ____(not be) delayed.
- I ____ (wish/hope) we ____ (live) here.
- I ____(wish/hope) I ____ (can surf) like the instructors at the beach.
Post your answers in the comments and an Intrepid English Teacher will get back to you.
Are you taking a summer holiday this year? Where do you wish you could go? What are your hopes for this summer? Let us know in the comments!
English for travelling course
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P.S. You can also check out a live lesson on this topic by Kate R on our Intrepid English YouTube channel.