Hope is about something that could really happen; wish is about regretting that things aren't different, or dreaming of something unreal. I hope you're right: maybe you are. I wish you were right: unfortunately, you aren't. After wish the verb moves into the past, even though you're talking about the present.
hope or wish — can you pick the right one?
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hope (that) + present/will; hope to + verb; wish (that) + past form; wish + person + luck/a good trip
- I hope the train isn't late, because my interview starts at ten.
- I wish I lived closer to the office; the journey takes almost two hours.
- Everyone at work wished me luck before my first presentation.
What changed
First versionI wish you will pass the exam tomorrow.
RevisionI hope you will pass the exam tomorrow.
Wish can mean wanting something good for someone, so it seems to fit a message before an exam. But wish followed by a whole clause is about something unreal, and I wish you will pass sounds like an awkward mix of regret and a good wish. For hopes about a real future, use hope: I hope you will pass.
In good wishes, wish is followed by a noun, not a clause: I wish you luck, We wish you a merry Christmas. There's no regret here; it's an ordinary good wish. But put a whole clause after wish and the meaning changes: I wish you were here means it's a pity you aren't here.
Your turn
I can't understand a word the guide is saying. I ___ I spoke Spanish.
Show the answer
wish — The speaker doesn't know Spanish and regrets it right now, so this is about something unreal. That's the meaning of wish, hence the past form spoke. Hope is used when something can come true, and a past form with a present meaning doesn't work with it.
Write about your plans for this year. Use hope for something that could really work out and wish for something you regret now.
I hope to get a promotion this year, but I wish I had more time for my family.
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