 Hope versus wish. Wish is most commonly used in hypothetical or imagined situations. I wish that I had a dog. I don't really have a dog, but if I did, I would be happy. I wish that you were here. Unfortunately, you are not, and I miss you. Sometimes wish is used in greetings and expressions of goodwill. We wish you a merry Christmas. They wished him happy birthday. Wish me luck. Hope can also be used in expressions of goodwill, but the grammar is slightly different. I hope that you have a merry Christmas. Sometime in the future. I hope that you had a nice birthday. Sometime in the past. Hope can be used to specify a desired outcome. For future hopes, the possibilities remain open, but for past hopes, the outcome has usually been determined already. I hope you can come to the party on Saturday. Future possibility. I was hoping that you would come to the party. But you didn't make it. I had hoped to see you at the party on Saturday. But I didn't. I hope to get an A on the exam. It is still possible. I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow. Although it might. He hopes to be elected president. It could happen. She hoped you wouldn't find her. But you probably did. Wish and hope are also used in certain types of requests and pleasantries. In such situations, wish carries a more definite and formal tone. I wish to see the doctor. Right now. I hope to see you again. Any time in the future.