Wish and Hope - Present Situations (Part one)

Summary

This video script explores the use of 'hope' and 'wish' in English, focusing on their differences and structures. It explains that 'hope' is used for real possibilities, often with present tense, while 'wish' is for unlikely or impossible situations, using past tense. The script also covers the phrase 'if only' for expressing strong wishes, providing examples and reinforcing the distinctions between the verbs.

Takeaways

• 📚 The video is part of a series on the use of 'hope' and 'wish', focusing on present situations and their different grammatical structures.
• 🔍 'Hope' is used for events with a real possibility, often paired with present tense to imply the future, e.g., 'I hope it's a boy'.
• 🌟 'Hope' can also be used in the progressive form, such as 'I'm hoping to study animal behavior', indicating a future intention.
• 📝 The infinitive 'to' is essential after 'hope', as in 'I hope to go to college', and cannot be omitted.
• 🤔 'Wish' is used for things that are improbable or impossible, expressing a desire for something that cannot happen, like 'I wish I spoke six languages'.
• 😔 'Wish' often conveys a sense of regret, as in wishing for something that is not achievable or has already passed.
• 🎯 After 'wish', a past tense verb is used to indicate the unreality of the situation, even when referring to present wishes.
• 📚 The subjunctive mood is used after 'wish', notably with the verb 'be' where 'were' is used instead of 'was', although native speakers may use 'was' informally.
• 😡 'Wish' with 'would' is used to express annoyance and a desire for a change in behavior, e.g., 'I wish you would put the lid back on the toothpaste'.
• 💭 'Wish' with 'could' is used to express a desire to be able to do something, as in 'I wish I could whistle'.
• 💬 'If only' is similar to 'wish' but adds emphasis to express a strong desire, and can be used with the same structures as 'wish'.

Q & A

What are the main topics covered in the video about verbs?

The video discusses the use of the verbs 'hope' and 'wish', focusing on different structures used with these verbs to talk about present situations and future possibilities.

What is the difference between 'hope' and 'wish' in terms of their usage?

While both 'hope' and 'wish' are used to express desires, 'hope' is used for things that are possible or likely to happen, whereas 'wish' is used for things that are improbable or impossible.

What is the typical structure used after 'hope' when talking about future events?

After 'hope', a present tense is often used to talk about future events, as in 'I hope it’s a boy.' Alternatively, 'hope' can be followed by an infinitive form of a verb with 'to', as in 'I hope to go to college'.

Why is 'hoping' often used in the progressive or continuous form?

'Hoping' in the progressive or continuous form is used to express ongoing desires or expectations about the future, as in 'I’m hoping to study animal behavior.'

What is the significance of using 'to' after 'hope'?

The use of 'to' after 'hope' is necessary to form the infinitive structure, which is a common way to express future intentions or desires, such as 'I hope to go to college'.

How does the structure of sentences with 'wish' differ from those with 'hope'?

Sentences with 'wish' typically use a past tense verb to express desires for things that are not probable or cannot happen, as in 'I wish I spoke six languages.'

Why is 'were' used instead of 'was' after 'wish' in sentences like 'I wish I were younger'?

The use of 'were' instead of 'was' after 'wish' is a grammatical form known as the subjunctive mood, which is used to express unreal or hypothetical situations.

What is the purpose of using 'wish' with 'would' in sentences?

Using 'wish' with 'would' is a way to express annoyance or a desire for a change in someone's behavior, as in 'I wish you would put the lid back on the toothpaste.'

What is the difference between 'wish' and 'could' in the context of expressing desires?

'Wish' is used to express a desire for something to happen, while 'could' is used to express a desire to be able to do something, as in 'I wish I could whistle.'

What is the phrase 'If only' used for, and how does it differ from 'wish'?

'If only' is used to express a strong wish or desire, similar to 'wish', but it adds emphasis to the expression of regret or longing, as in 'If only he could talk.'