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APS Message Forum :: General :: Other English Language Problems :: Hope and Wish Author Topic: Hope and Wish (Read 371 times) barbara60 New Member member is offline Joined: Feb 2012 Gender: Female Posts: 4 Hope and Wish « Thread Started on Feb 19, 2012, 6:16am » A young Spanish friend, learning English, asked me "What is the difference between 'wish' and 'hope'?" I was a bit flummoxed. I said "Hope is about something that has a good chance of happening. e.g. I hope you have a good birthday. Wish is more for something that is impossible. e.g. I wish you had seen it." I think my explanation could have been better. Can you help please? Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged tonyp Full Member member is offline Joined: Sept 2009 Gender: Male Posts: 66 Location: Birmingham, England Re: Hope and Wish « Reply #1 on Feb 21, 2012, 6:03pm » It does get rather murky when you consider such phrases as 'I wish you a happy birthday.' It is not usual to expect a happy birthday to be impossible! Wait until your friend gets involved in colloquial expressions. You may then have to explain the difference between, for instance, 'You look out of this world' and 'You look like nothing on earth!' A former German colleague of mine told me of the times just after the war he spent as a young lad in summer camps organised by the British Army. On one occasion he was totally confused by an instruction to chop a tree down and then chop it up. Explaining some of the oddities of the English language to foreign speakers can be a daunting business. Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged Dave Advanced Member member is offline Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Male Posts: 717 Location: San Jose, CA Re: Hope and Wish « Reply #2 on Feb 22, 2012, 10:26pm » In a business situation especially, I try to use trust instead of hope or wish: I wish we could resolve this situation to our mutual benefit. I hope we can resolve this situation to our mutual benefit. I trust we can resolve this situation to our mutual benefit. There's a difference! Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged Dave Pete Advanced Member member is offline Punctuation is the virtue of the bored! Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Male Posts: 738 Location: Leicester, UK Re: Hope and Wish « Reply #3 on Feb 27, 2012, 3:07pm » Feb 22, 2012, 10:26pm, Dave wrote: In a business situation especially, I try to use trust instead of hope or wish: I wish we could resolve this situation to our mutual benefit. I hope we can resolve this situation to our mutual benefit. I trust we can resolve this situation to our mutual benefit. There's a difference! And, of course, the even more positive versions: I am sure we can resolve this situation to our mutual benefit. I know we can resolve this situation to our mutual benefit. Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged Tone Advanced Member member is offline "I don't do Happy." Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 918 Location: West of London (ex-Hampshire) Re: Hope and Wish « Reply #4 on Feb 27, 2012, 9:44pm » >And, of course, the even more positive versions: I am sure we can resolve this situation to our mutual benefit. I know we can resolve this situation to our mutual benefit. < And even more: "You will agree to this -- or else." Tone Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged Pete Advanced Member member is offline Punctuation is the virtue of the bored! Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Male Posts: 738 Location: Leicester, UK Re: Hope and Wish « Reply #5 on Feb 29, 2012, 2:28pm » Feb 27, 2012, 9:44pm, Tone wrote: >And, of course, the even more positive versions: I am sure we can resolve this situation to our mutual benefit. I know we can resolve this situation to our mutual benefit. < And even more: "You will agree to this -- or else." Tone Positively threatening, Tone! Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged Dave Advanced Member member is offline Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Male Posts: 717 Location: San Jose, CA Re: Hope and Wish « Reply #6 on Feb 29, 2012, 3:52pm » Feb 27, 2012, 9:44pm, Tone wrote: And even more: "You will agree to this -- or else." Tone From the government? Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged Dave Pete Advanced Member member is offline Punctuation is the virtue of the bored! Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Male Posts: 738 Location: Leicester, UK Re: Hope and Wish « Reply #7 on Mar 1, 2012, 1:01pm » Feb 29, 2012, 3:52pm, Dave wrote: Feb 27, 2012, 9:44pm, Tone wrote: And even more: "You will agree to this -- or else." Tone From the government? I'm not government any more. Or were you referring to something else? Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged Dave Advanced Member member is offline Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Male Posts: 717 Location: San Jose, CA Re: Hope and Wish « Reply #8 on Mar 1, 2012, 3:53pm » That letter may be from the government--not you (now)! Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged Dave Tone Advanced Member member is offline "I don't do Happy." Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 918 Location: West of London (ex-Hampshire) Re: Hope and Wish « Reply #9 on Mar 1, 2012, 9:28pm » >That letter may be from the government < And will it begin: "Greeting: ..." http://www.gallery2.384thbombgroup.com/d/10507-2/Draft_Notice_002.jpg Tone « Last Edit: Mar 1, 2012, 9:29pm by Tone » Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged Pete Advanced Member member is offline Punctuation is the virtue of the bored! Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Male Posts: 738 Location: Leicester, UK Re: Hope and Wish « Reply #10 on Mar 7, 2012, 2:34pm » I didn't know you were that old, Tone. Or that your names are Leroy Theodore. That said, of course, The King, Gift of God, it all stacks up! Link to Post - Back to Top   Logged Forum Jump--------------------» Home--------------------» General--------------------- Apostrophe Use & Abuse --- Welcome, APS Policy & Forum News- Other English Language Problems

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