✨ Lesson 9: Wishes & Hopes (Present/Future)
In our last lesson, we used "I wish" to talk about regrets in the past. Today, we learn how to talk about things we want to be different now, and things we want to happen in the future. This involves understanding the very important difference between a wish1 and a hope2.
Wishes about the Present (Unreal Situations)
We use "I wish" or "If only" followed by the Past Simple to talk about a present situation we want to change. The situation is unreal3 because it's the opposite of reality. This use of the past tense to talk about the present is called the subjunctive mood4.
Formula: I wish / If only + Subject + Past Simple
Reality: I don't have enough money to travel.
Wish: "I wish I had enough money to travel."
Reality: It is raining outside now.
Wish: "If only it weren't raining."
Note on 'were': In this formal grammar structure, it is correct to use 'were' for all subjects (I, he, she, etc.). For example, "I wish I were taller."
Hopes for the Future (Possible Situations)
We use "hope" when we want something to happen in the future that is possible5. Unlike "wish", the grammar for "hope" is simple and does not use a past tense.
Formula: Subject + hope(s) + (that) + Subject + Present/Future Tense
"I hope you have a wonderful time in Battambang."
"She hopes she will pass her exam next week."
The Big Difference: Wish vs. Hope
This is the most important rule of the lesson!
| WISH | HOPE |
|---|---|
| Used for unreal or impossible situations. | Used for real and possible future situations. |
| Followed by a PAST tense (e.g., Past Simple). | Followed by a PRESENT or FUTURE tense. |
| I wish I were rich. (But I'm not). | I hope I will be rich one day. (It's possible). |
🧠 Practice Quiz: Wish or Hope?
Choose the correct word and verb form to complete each sentence.
- I don't have a car. I _______ I had a car. (hope / wish)
Answer: wish (It's an unreal situation, so we use 'wish' + Past Simple.) - My exam is tomorrow. I _______ I pass. (hope / wish)
Answer: hope (It's a possible future event.) - It's so hot today! I wish it _______ a little cooler. (were / is)
Answer: were (A wish about the present uses the past tense.) - I _______ that we can visit Battambang again next year. (hope / wish)
Answer: hope (A possible future plan.) - He doesn't know how to swim. He wishes he _______ swim. (can / could)
Answer: could ('could' is the past form of 'can' and is used for wishes about ability.)
📝 Homework: Your Wishes and Hopes
Write a full sentence for each prompt.
- Write a sentence about something you wish were different about your life right now.
(Example: I wish I had more free time.)
_________________________________________ - Write a sentence about something you hope for your future.
(Example: I hope I can get a good job after I graduate.)
_________________________________________ - Write a sentence about the weather today. Use 'wish' or 'hope'.
(Example: It's very sunny. I hope it doesn't rain this afternoon.)
_________________________________________
Vocabulary Glossary
- Wish: (Noun/Verb) - បំណងប្រាថ្នា (bâm'nâng pra'tʰnaa) - To want a situation that is different from the real one; used for things that are unreal or impossible. ↩
- Hope: (Noun/Verb) - សង្ឃឹម (sâng'khœm) - To want something to happen or be true in the future, when it is possible. ↩
- Unreal: (Adjective) - មិនពិត (mĭn pĭt) - Not real; imaginary. ↩
- Subjunctive Mood: (Noun Phrase) - ទម្រង់មិនពិត (tŭm'rɔng mĭn pĭt) - A verb form used to express things that are not real, like wishes or hypothetical situations (e.g., "If I were you..."). ↩
- Possible: (Adjective) - ដែលអាចទៅរួច (dael aach tov ruəch) - Able to happen or be done. ↩