0
LoveCZ Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Doubt about "I wish"

Dear all,

I was told that when "I wish" is used, no matter what, what the writter wishes would not be true.

For instance:
I wish you would allow me to present it tomorrow.

By using "I wish" in here, according to what I was told, it indicates that I will definitely not be allowed to present it tomorrow.

I was told that if we want something to happen in the future, without denying the possibility of it, we should rather apply "I hope" instead.

For instance:
I hope you would allow me to present it tomorrow.

By using "I hope" in here, it indicates that there is a chance for you to allow me to present it tomorrow, and I desire the probability to be true ultimately.

All right, so there is a problem now, I really doubt about what I was told, what I have leanrt. Does "wish" this word really do implies that what the writer desire must going to be unture?

I wish you would kill him <- Can this implies that the probability for you to kill him is low but it could still be true, or this must be unture?

What about I hope, ah... I am thoroughly confused now, please clearify these two words and their usage for me. Hope and Wish... thanks , thank you very much.
  

Top answer

Neither verb reveals what will really happen; they merely reflect the speaker's beliefs. I hope you will let me speak = I don't know if you will let me, but I would like you to do so. I wish you would let me speak = I don't think you will let me (based on your previous words or my own opinion), but I would like you to do so.

  • Neither verb reveals what will really happen; they merely reflect the speaker's beliefs.
  • I hope you will let me speak = I don't know if you will let me, but I would like you to do so.
  • I wish you would let me speak = I don't think you will let me (based on your previous words or my own opinion), but I would like you to do so.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

1 Answers
0
.
Neither verb reveals what will really happen; they merely reflect the speaker's beliefs.

I hope you will let me speak = I don't know if you will let me, but I would like you to do so.
I wish you would let me speak = I don't think you will let me (based on your previous words or my own opinion), but I would like you to do so.
.

Related Questions