Hope and Wish clauses

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Hope and Wish clauses

Hope and Wish clauses are also used with conditionals (also called if-clause). Hope and Wish is followed by a "Noun Clause." Past verb forms, similar to those in conditional sentences, are used in the noun clause.

We use the verb hope when something is very possible.

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.)

Hope

- 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 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 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.)

Wish

- 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 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 future, you use would:

I wish the President 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 the President does something about healthcare soon" means that you think there is a strong possibility that he will.)

NOTE: With "unreal conditionals" and "untrue wishes", when you use the verb be in the if-clause or in the noun clause after wish, the form is always were (this is called subjunctive mood).

I wish he were here with me.

Guided examples:

If-Clause, Result Clause
If I have enough money, I (will) go with you.
(True-Present/Future: you use Present, Present/Future)
If I had enough money, I would go with you.
(Untrue-Present/Future: you use Past, Would)
If I had had enough money, I would have gone with you.
(Untrue-Past: you use Past Participle, Would Have)

Wish+Noun Clause:
I wish She had enough money.
(Present: you use Past)
I wish She had had enough money yesterday.
(Past: you use Past Participle)
I wish She would have enough money tomorrow.
(Future: you use Would)

Hope+Noun Clause:
I Hope he have enough money.
(Present: you use Present)
I Hope he had enough money yesterday.
(Past: you use Past)
I Hope he have enough money tomorrow.
(Future: you use Present)

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