hoped to

USAGE SUMMARY

"hoped to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the idea of wishing something would happen in the future. For example: "He hoped to become an astronaut one day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

They hoped to negotiate down.

The New York Times

The paper hoped to serialize the diaries.

The New York Times - Books

Both said they hoped to play.

The New York Times

Officials hoped to flog India some weapons.

The Economist

Swisher said he hoped to play Tuesday.

The New York Times - Sports

I hoped to return spiritually uplifted.

Independent

Dr Tiller, too, had hoped to retire.

Independent

And Cathal hoped to go into business.

The New York Times - Magazine

They hoped to stoke a revolution.

The New Yorker

Leonhard said he hoped to practice Thursday.

The New York Times - Sports

Hemings hoped to steal her; he failed.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hoped to" when you want to express a past desire or intention that may or may not have been fulfilled. Be clear about the context to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "hoped to" when referring to current desires or intentions. Use "hope to" instead for present or future aspirations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hoped to" functions as a past tense verb phrase indicating a desire, expectation, or intention that existed at some point in the past. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Wiki

4%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hoped to" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase that indicates a past desire, expectation, or intention. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in written English. Its primary function is to express a past aspiration, and it is most frequently found in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in register, it can be adapted for more formal or informal situations. When using "hoped to", ensure the tense aligns with the intended meaning, and consider alternatives like "wished to" or "expected to" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wished to

Similar in expressing a desire, but can sometimes imply a stronger sense of longing or regret.

aspired to

Implies a higher level of ambition or a more significant goal.

expected to

Focuses more on anticipation and a reasonable belief that something will happen.

intended to

Highlights a plan or purpose, suggesting a deliberate action.

aimed to

Emphasizes the direction or goal of an effort.

sought to

Suggests a more active or determined effort to achieve something.

longed to

Conveys a deep and often emotional desire.

desired to

A more formal way of expressing a wish or want.

yearned to

Expresses a strong feeling of wanting something, often something unattainable.

anticipated to

Focuses on looking forward to something with a degree of certainty.

FAQs

How can I use "hoped to" in a sentence?

You can use "hoped to" to express a past desire or expectation. For example, "She "hoped to" finish the project on time, but unforeseen circumstances delayed it."

What are some alternatives to "hoped to"?

Some alternatives include "wished to", "aspired to", or "expected to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I had hoped to" instead of "I hoped to"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "I had hoped to" emphasizes that the hope existed further in the past and may no longer be relevant. "I "hoped to"" implies a more recent or continuing hope.

What's the difference between "hoped to" and "wished to"?

"Hoped to" generally implies a reasonable expectation or plan, while ""wished to"" can suggest a more fanciful or less likely desire. For instance, you might hope to get a promotion based on your performance, but wish to win the lottery.