hoped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hoped" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a desire or expectation for something to happen in the past or future. Example: "I had hoped to see you at the event last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is earnestly to be hoped that his successor gets it too.

The Guardian - Opinion

The America of which Miller spoke had been created by men and women who hoped to escape from intolerance, bigotry and the dominion of one people over another.

The Guardian - Opinion

Related: Republicans drop abortion vote after revolt by female House members Supporters of the bill had hoped it would be passed on Thursday to coincide with the March for Life, a huge anti-abortion gathering held on the Mall each year to mark the anniversary of the supreme court's 1973 ruling to legalise abortion, Roe v Wade.

The Guardian

The letter to protesters, which was sent on Friday, said the university's response has so far been "reasonable and proportionate" and that it still hoped for a peaceful resolution and discussions.

The Guardian

The president spoke from Boston, where he hoped the highlight benefits of the Massachusetts healthcare law that served as a model for the federal plan.

The Guardian

Jim Killock, the executive director of Open Rights Group who last month warned the right to privacy could be meaningless within a decade under Labour and Tory plans, said he hoped politicians of all stripes would oppose the reintroduction of the bill.

The Guardian

Clegg has made Coppard's job easier, not just by reneging on his pledge not to increase tuition fees but by being in the highest echelons of a government that, shortly after its formation in 2010, cancelled a £80m loan to Sheffield Forgemasters, which the steel company had hoped to use to buy a new forging press for producing nuclear plant components, creating jobs.

The Guardian

A memo leaked to the Associated Press and published on 16 October showed that the Obama administration hoped that 494,620 people would have enrolled for health insurance under the program by the end of the month.

The Guardian

But Lindo told the Times he hoped the robin would be knocked from its perch.

The Guardian

I had hoped she was humouring Hastings when he suggested it, rather than actually desiring to go aboard a drifting hotel.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The speakers offered policies that they hoped would serve as counterweights to Obama's focus on income inequality.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hoped" to express a desire for a particular outcome in the past, especially when the outcome was uncertain or did not materialize as expected. For example: "I had hoped to finish the project by Friday, but unforeseen delays arose."

Common error

Avoid using "wish" when "hoped" is more appropriate. "Wish" often expresses regret about something that cannot be changed, while "hoped" describes a desire for a possible outcome. For instance, say "I hoped to see you" (a possible past event) instead of "I wish to see you" (implies regret or impossibility).

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "hoped" is as the past tense and past participle of the verb "hope". Ludwig AI suggests that "hoped" expresses a past desire or expectation. It is used to indicate something that one wanted to happen or be true.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Unknown

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hoped" functions as the past tense of the verb "hope", used to express a past desire or expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently used, particularly in news and media contexts. Its register is typically neutral, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. To avoid confusion, remember that "hoped" implies a realistic expectation, while alternatives like "wished" often suggest a less attainable desire. Mastering the nuances of "hoped" will enhance clarity and precision in your writing and speaking.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wished

Shares a similar sense of desire, but often implies a less strong expectation of fulfillment than "hoped".

expected

Indicates a belief that something was likely to happen, carrying a stronger sense of anticipation than "hoped".

anticipated

Implies looking forward to something with a degree of excitement or preparation.

longed

Suggests a deep yearning or desire for something, often with a sense of sadness or regret.

yearned

Similar to longed, emphasizing a strong, often emotional, desire.

desired

A more formal way of expressing a wish or want.

dreamed of

Indicates a strong aspiration or ambition, often related to long-term goals.

looked forward to

Expresses anticipation and pleasure regarding a future event.

had expectations for

Focuses on the anticipatory aspect of having desired outcomes.

counted on

Implies reliance on something happening, with a sense of planning and dependence.

FAQs

How can I use "hoped" in a sentence?

"Hoped" is the past tense of "hope" and is used to express a desire or expectation that something would happen or would have happened. Example: "I "hoped" the weather would be better for the picnic."

What's a good synonym for "hoped"?

Alternatives to "hoped" include "wished", "expected", or "anticipated". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I had hoped" or "I hoped"?

Both are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "I hoped" expresses a simple past desire or expectation. "I had hoped" implies that the desire or expectation was not fulfilled. For example, "I had "hoped" to go to the party, but I got sick."

What is the difference between "hoped" and "wished"?

"Hoped" generally refers to a realistic expectation or desire, while "wished" often implies a less realistic or more fanciful desire, or regret about something that cannot be changed. Example: "I "hoped" to get the job" (realistic expectation). "I "wished" I could fly" (unrealistic desire).