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| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | hopian |
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hope1 S1 W1
[intransitive and transitive]
[intransitive and transitive]1 to want something to happen or be true and to believe that it is possible or likely 
Liam decided to ignore the warning and just hope for the best (=hope that a situation will end well when there is a risk of things going wrong).I rang my parents, hoping against hope (=hoping for something that is very unlikely to happen or be true) that they hadn't left yet. ! Do not say that you 'hope something would happen'. Say that you hope something will happen: I hope the weather will be nice (NOT I hope the weather would be nice).
hope (that) We hope that more women will decide to join the course. I do hope everything goes well. It was hoped that the job would be filled by a local person.
We hope that more women will decide to join the course.I do hope everything goes well.It was hoped that the job would be filled by a local person.Liam decided to ignore the warning and just hope for the best (=hope that a situation will end well when there is a risk of things going wrong).I rang my parents, hoping against hope (=hoping for something that is very unlikely to happen or be true) that they hadn't left yet.2 used to say that you hope something that has been mentioned happens or is true : 'Do we get paid this week?' 'I certainly hope so!'
I hope so
spoken'Do we get paid this week?' 'I certainly hope so!'3 used to say that you hope something that has been mentioned does not happen or is not true : I don't think I'm busy that day, or at least I hope not.
I hope not
spokenI don't think I'm busy that day, or at least I hope not.4 used to say that you hope something will happen, especially because you are depending on it
I'm hoping
spoken5 used when you want to be polite and to make sure that you are not interrupting or offending someone : I hope I'm not interrupting you.
I hope (that)
spokenI hope I'm not interrupting you.6 used to say that you feel very strongly that something should or should not happen : 'They'll get their money back.' 'I should hope so too, after being treated like that.' ➔ see usage note wish1
I should hope so (too)/I should hope not
British English spoken'They'll get their money back.' 'I should hope so too, after being treated like that.'WORD CHOICE: WORD CHOICE:
wish, hope, want, would likeUse wish to talk about things that are not true, not possible, or very unlikely • I wish I knew more about science. • She wished she hadn't said anything. • I wish I could win the lottery.Use hope to talk about things that could happen, could have happened, or could be true • I hope you have a happy birthday. • I hope they got there in time. !! Do not use wish + (that) to say that you want something to happen in the future. Use hope • I hope (NOT wish) that we'll all meet again soon. • I hope you have a great time.You can use wish + noun in polite expressions meaning that you want someone to have something • We wish you a safe journey. • I wish you lots of luck.!! Wish to is very formal. Use want to or would like to to say what you want to happen • I want to write to him but I don't know his address. • I would like to run my own restaurant.
tenses with 'wish'Things that you want to happen in the present or futureUse wish + past tense or wish + would • I wish I didn't have to go. • I wish they would stop arguing.You can use that or leave it out • I wish that he would help more.!! In British English, you can either say 'I wish I was' or 'I wish I were', which is rather formal. In American English, you should use were • I wish I were ten years younger.Things that you want to have happened in the pastUse wish + past perfect tense • I wish I had paid more attention in class. ➔ See also wish
WORD CHOICE: wish, hope, want, would likeUse wish to talk about things that are not true, not possible, or very unlikely • I wish I knew more about science. • She wished she hadn't said anything. • I wish I could win the lottery.Use hope to talk about things that could happen, could have happened, or could be true • I hope you have a happy birthday. • I hope they got there in time. !! Do not use wish + (that) to say that you want something to happen in the future. Use hope • I hope (NOT wish) that we'll all meet again soon. • I hope you have a great time.You can use wish + noun in polite expressions meaning that you want someone to have something • We wish you a safe journey. • I wish you lots of luck.!! Wish to is very formal. Use want to or would like to to say what you want to happen • I want to write to him but I don't know his address. • I would like to run my own restaurant.
tenses with 'wish'Things that you want to happen in the present or futureUse wish + past tense or wish + would • I wish I didn't have to go. • I wish they would stop arguing.You can use that or leave it out • I wish that he would help more.!! In British English, you can either say 'I wish I was' or 'I wish I were', which is rather formal. In American English, you should use were • I wish I were ten years younger.Things that you want to have happened in the pastUse wish + past perfect tense • I wish I had paid more attention in class. ➔ See also wish
