hope

Everyday

1. To hope means to want something to happen and to think it could happen. tree →
2. Hope is the feeling that something good may happen. tree →
3. A hope is something you wish for. tree →
4. «I hope so» means I want it to be true; «I hope not» means I don't want it to be true. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life people say «I hope you feel better», «I hope it doesn't rain». In stories hope keeps characters going in hard times, and losing hope is a low point. Hope is different from knowing: in science and maths you check results instead of just hoping they are right. Phrases: hope for, hope so, hope not, high hopes, give up hope, lose hope, hope for the best.

Examples

• I hope it will be sunny tomorrow. tree →
• I hope you feel better soon. tree →
• We hope to visit Grandma in the summer. tree →
• Don't give up hope; we'll find your cat. tree →
• Will we win? I hope so! tree →
• She has high hopes for the competition. tree →
• The lost hikers never lost hope. tree →
• I hope I passed my test, but I'll check my answers. tree →
• Hook was fighting now without hope. tree →

Note

Regular verb: hoped, hoping (drop «e»). Patterns: «hope to + verb» (I hope to win), «hope that + sentence» (I hope that you win), «hope for + noun» (hope for good weather). «Hope» (something possible) is different from «wish» (often something not possible: I wish I could fly).

In Jewish tradition

In the Prophets and Writings hope is trust in God, and God Himself can be called "the hope of Israel". It can also mean what a person waits for, which may be disappointed, as in Job.

Interpretation. Tradition reads these verses as teaching that Israel's real hope rests in God alone, even in hard times. The psalms join hope with waiting for God's word and salvation.

Examples

• I therefore hope that the candid reader will consider the great difficulties I had to overcome in this still unbeaten way of the ancient Jewish spiritual region, and will receive with indulgence this new contribution to archaeological knowledge. (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) tree →
• However, that may be, I hope I have at least succeeded in removing some obstacles to a better understanding of the Sefer Yetzira and the Pythafrorean philosophy and their relation to each other. (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914)) tree →
• My hope, it is in Thee. (Writings PSA.39.8, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thou hope of Israel, the LORD! (Prophets JER.17.13, JPS 1917) tree →
• And as for my hope, who shall see it? (Writings JOB.17.15, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Regular verb: hoped, hoping (drop «e»). Patterns: «hope to + verb» (I hope to win), «hope that + sentence» (I hope that you win), «hope for + noun» (hope for good weather). «Hope» (something possible) is different from «wish» (often something not possible: I wish I could fly).