hope

Tenses after hope

After I hope, we often use a present tense with a future meaning.

• I hope she likes (= will like) the flowers.
• I hope the bus comes soon.

note

For a similar use of present tenses after bet, (see here).

Negative sentences

In negative sentences, we usually put not with the verb that comes after hope.

• I hope she doesn’t wake up. (not I don’t hope she wakes up.)

note

For negative structures with think, believe, etc, (see here).

Special uses of past tenses

We can use I was hoping … to introduce a polite request.

• I was hoping you could lend me some money.

I had hoped … refers to hopes for things that did not happen.

• I had hoped that Jennifer would study medicine, but she didn’t want to.

note

For more about the use of past tenses in polite requests, (see here).

For I hope so/not, (see here).

For the differences between hope, expect, wait and look forward, (see here).