Hope or wish

Question

I know that the major difference between "hope" and "wish' is the likelihood. However, does the choice of "hope" and "wish" depend on the objective prediction or subjective view?

For example, on a sunny day it is not really impossible or unlikely that it will rain in the night. Should I say "I hope it will rain tonight" or "I wish it would rain tonight"?

Another example is, it is possible that everyone could get rich, if they work very hard. Of course, it is not easy, not impossible though. Should I say "I hope I will be rich" or "I wish I would be rich"?

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

kenny1999Should I say "I hope I will be rich"

If that is your goal in life, yes.

kenny1999r "I wish I would be rich"?

If you free a genie from a magic lamp, and the genie tells you that he will grant you three wishes, then yes.

Anonymous · Answer

kenny1999I know that the major difference between "hope" and "wish' is the likelihood.

I think it is more like "hope" is the future tense of "wish". The only time I use "wish" for future eventualities is when making a wish, like snapping a wishbone or dropping a coin in a well. I hope I will be rich one day. I cannot wish I would be rich as a matter of idiom. But I can say with fingers crossed and eyes squeezed shut "I wish I will be rich."

If my hose is broken, and my garden is drying out, and the hose store is closed for the day, I can say "I hope it rains tonight." If I am on a lifeboat in the middle of the Pacific ocean with an empty canteen and my rain trap spread and ready, I can say "I wish it would rain."

CalifJim · Answer

kenny1999I wish I would be rich.

We don't say "I wish I would ...". "wish" is not for things you have some control of. You don't say, "I wish I would change the channel on the TV" because you can do something yourself to change the channel.

Typically, then, it's "I wish you would ...", "I wish he would ...", and so on.

CJ

Hope or wish

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