VERB FORMS FOLLOWING HOPE AND WISHPage: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 [ 12 ] 13 14 15 16
| VERB FORMS FOLLOWING HOPE AND WISH |
| HOPE VS. WISH We hope for things that are possible; we wish for things that are unlikely or impossible. Therefore, the verb in the dependent noun clause following wish follows the same rules that govern speculative (HYPOTHETICAL) conditional sentences. |
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• To make a wish about the present or future, use the past tense:
I wish I were able to enroll in more classes. [Meaning: But I'm not able to.] Most students wish they had more money. [Meaning: But they don't.] |
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• To make a wish about the past, use past perfect tense. Minh wishes he had spent more time on his studies when he was in high school. [Meaning: But he didn't.] José wishes he had learned more English. [Meaning: But he didn't.] |
| We hope for things that can or could have actually happened. Verbs in noun clauses after the verb hope follow the usual sequence of tense rules and refer to future time from a present or past perspective. Most frequently the verb hope and the verb in the noun clause are simple present tense. |
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I hope the doctors let me visit John. (or will let) • I hope he recovers quickly. (or will recover) • I hope he will be out of intensive care soon. (Is out of intensive care... is possible even with the adverb soon) • I had hoped I could visit John, but the doctors wouldn't allow it. (Had hoped shows earlier past time.) |
| Complete the sentences below with the correct form of the verb on the left. For the sake of practice, use present tense after hope unless there's an adverb signaling future time. |
| win | I hope Santa Clara the soccer match. | win / not go | I had hoped Santa Clara the soccer match, but the ball just into the net. | defeat | I wish they USC, but it wasn't to be. | have | Cecelia wishes she the opportunity to play soccer when she was a girl. | be | I wish there an adult soccer league for older women. | make | Pedro hopes he his college team at tryouts next week. | can play | He wishes he as well as the legendary Pele. | feel | Pedro had a cold and didn't make the team. He wishes he better that day. | have | He can try out again next year and he hopes he better results then. | be | I wish Pedro not so unhappy about not making the team. |