Speaking about hopes in English

There are a number of expressions you can use to show your hopes and preferences.

Hopes

I'm hoping for (noun) ("I'm hoping for a new cell phone.")

I'm hoping to get… ("I'm hoping to get a new phone.")

I would like…

I really want… (Using "want" can be impolite unless you are talking to a close friend or family member.)

Something I've always wanted is…

I'd be delighted / over the moon if… ("I'd be delighted if you gave me a new watch.")

What I'd like more than anything else is…

On my Christmas wish list is…

Preferences

I'd rather have (noun) ("I'd rather have tickets to the opera.")

I'd rather you (simple past) ("I'd rather you saved your money.")

I'd prefer (noun) ("I'd prefer some money for the new house.")

I'd prefer it if you (simple past) ("I'd prefer it if you gave some money to charity.")

….. would be more suitable / would be better

If I had a choice, I would go for…

If it's all the same to you, …. ("If it's all the same to you, I'd like some book tokens.")

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15 comments on “Speaking about hopes in English”

leila May 21st, 2008

Im absolutely convinced that your site is the best one. I cant compare your site with athers. Do you pay attention to my first sentence ? yeah
I learned it from you. Id be over the moon if chelsea won its finall game with man.united tonigh. Thank u.

Raed -- saudi arabia August 3rd, 2008

thank you for the web site and for your advices .
it important information and advices for students which study English language .
and talking about hopes is enjoyable with friends.
with best wish…………

Namrata August 8th, 2008

What is meant by-"I'd rather you saved your money"?

Clare August 12th, 2008

Namrata »
It means that I would prefer you to save your money.

ck January 14th, 2009

what is mean by the 'd in this sentence.

I'd rather you saved your money.

Clare January 15th, 2009

It is short for "would":

I would rather you saved = I'd rather you saved

osmand February 15th, 2009

I LOVE THIS SITE

osmand February 16th, 2009

hi i need some help for this…
based on grmatical rule,"i wish…" , used to indicate the expectation that won't happen and didn't happen.
but why in speaking it's often used and has a same meaning to "i hope.."??
thanks before

Clare February 16th, 2009

Hopes generally refer to the future, and you often see them with will:
I hope you will come to the party next week.

Wishes or regrets don't use will:
I wish he hadn't come to the party (but he did).

Clare February 16th, 2009

We use hope to talk about a future situation, often with "will":
I hope you will come to the party next week.

We use wish / regret in situations where we would like to see a change:
I wish he hadn't come to the party (but he did).

osmand February 18th, 2009

thanks for your help clare
but What i mean to say was that i ever heard an english native speaker said "i wish you luck"
how bout that phrase?what does the word 'wish' on that phrase mean?
ThankS before

osmand February 18th, 2009

thanks for your help clare
but What i mean to ask was that i ever heard an english native speaker said "i wish you luck"
how bout that phrase?what does the word 'wish' on that phrase mean?
ThankS before

Clare February 18th, 2009

It means that he / she hope you will be lucky (in an exam or test, for example).

khaldoon April 13th, 2009

really,this site very nice ,i choise this page because of hobbies ,my hobbies are drawing ,i love it very much i hope one share with me in that hobbies,,

DILSHAD AHMED September 29th, 2009

Dear to all,
I am from U.P . Today, I read this site . This is very important and very useful site. I love like it site .
Thax & Regs.

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