WHICH WORD?

to hope or to wish

EXAMPLES:   hope

(you want something to happen or not to happen)

  • Bill is really sick.  I hope he sees a Doctor soon.

  • Did you get accepted to the University of California, Berkeley?   Not yet, but I hope to find out by the end of the week.
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  • I am going to the beach this morning.   I sure hope it doesn't rain.
EXAMPLES:   wish

(you want something to happen, but it is not likely or it is impossible)

  • I wish studying in the US wasn't so expensive, but since it is, I will have to remain here and finish my degree.​
 
  • I wish Bill would see a Doctor, but you know how stubborn he is.

  • I wish it would stop raining so much.  I am dying to go to the beach.

COMMON EXAMPLES:

  • I wish you would be quiet!   I am trying to study.

  • I hope you don't get caught in the snowstorm on the way to Tahoe.

  • I wish the fighting in the Middle East would stop.​

  • I hope your wife gets better.

  • I wish you would study English more, but I have little hope!