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hope, wish

We use the verb hope when something is very possible.To say what you hope about the past, you use the simple past:

I hope she found the restaurant.
I hope he passed his class last semester.

To say what you hope about the present, you use the present:

I hope he's all right.
I hope he knows where the clinic is.
I hope he's having a good time in Florida.
I hope he likes Italian food.

To say what you hope about the future, you use the present (or the future, although it is less common):

I hope he has a good time in Florida next month.
(I hope he'll have a good time in Florida next month)

I hope she comes to see us when she passes through New York.
(I hope she'll come to see us when she passes through New York)

We use the verb wish about impossible things or things that are not likely to happen (things that you don't really expect to happen).

To say what you wish about the past, you use the past perfect:

I wish I had passed my ESL class last semester! (You didn't pass.)
I wish she had given me her phone number. (She didn't give it to you.)

To say what you wish about the present, you use the past:

I wish I had a good job. (You have a bad job now.)
I wish I had a million dollars. (You don't have a lot of money.)
I wish I knew how to speak Japanese. (You can't speak it.)
I wish I could type. (You can't type.)
I wish I were a good dancer. (You're a bad dancer.)
I wish she were nicer to me. (She's not nice to you.)
(Note! We use were for all subjects when we use wish.)

To say what you wish about the future, you use would:

I wish Clinton would do more to help the poor.
I wish you would quit smoking soon.

(Note! If you think there is a chance that something can happen, use hope, not wish: To say, "I hope Clinton does something about healthcare soon" means that you think there is a strong possibility that he will)

If one hopes for something, you want it to happen, but you're not sure that it will and you can do nothing about it. Now wishing is usually  wanting something that is impossible, or that doesn't seem probable, or for being sorry that things are not different.I wish I were rich.
I wish I could fly.
I wish he would stop talking.I hope it stops raining soon. (It may or may not stop, and you would like it to stop)I wish it would stop raining soon. (means It doesn't look as if it's going to stop, I feel sorry about that. That's right, because in rainy season, it rains for a long time without stopping)Subject + wish + clause
I wish it was Friday.subject + wish + past perfect
I wish I had gone skiing last weekend.
I wish I had studied English harder in High School.Remember that wish uses a past tense or past perfect structure.

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