What English grammar do you need to discuss your hopes and dreams?
What do you hope to leave behind when you’re gone?
These are big questions and you need the skills to talk about them.
Listen to today’s episode and learn three grammar structures for using ‘hope’ in English.
Hopes and dreams
Everyone hopes for a better future.
Lindsay shares something she hopes will change in American culture in the future.
She hopes owning a home will be more accessible for middle-income families.
It has become so expensive to purchase a home.
She adds that she learned about the term NIMBY.
This is in relation to the group of people that don’t support adding more affordable homes in their neighborhood.
There is an ongoing debate about this.
Want, need and hope
We should hope for things that are good and don’t harm anyone or anything.
Today’s episode is related to an episode recently recorded by the All Ears English team.
The title is AEE 1891: What You Need is This Amazing English Vocabulary
In that episode, they talked about the usage of ‘want’ and ‘need.’
It was inspired by a question sent in by a podcast listener.
In today’s episode, we are going to do a deep dive into the word ‘hope.’
This is a key connection skill with your co-workers, family, and friends.
It is a big statement to use the word ‘hope’ in your conversations.
Better connections
To live a better life, it is important to be present, but we always hope for the future.
It is a good idea to share what you are hopeful for in a conversation to get that deeper connection.
You may even learn that some of the people in your circle share the same vision.
It is important that you master this skill.
We use three grammar structures when talking about hope.
We’ll teach them today so you can properly use the term ‘hope’ in your conversations.
Structure #1:
‘What I hope is’ + Infinitive
Example:
What I hope is to leave behind a legacy.
What I hope is to earn a million dollars.
Leaving behind a legacy doesn’t have to be monetary.
It can be an idea or a business that people or your family members can remember you by.
It is also your reputation and what you accomplished.
Structure #2
‘What I hope is that’ + subject + verb
Example:
What I hope is that she will be kind.
What I hope is that everyone will get along.
The second statement can be used in a context where you are in a group that has a bit of tension.
Aubrey shared that she was with her kids and her kids’ friends and she used this sentence.
Her son is a bit of a troublemaker, so there is a chance he might not get along with the other kids.
Structure #3:
‘What I hope for is’ + noun
Example:
What I hope for is world peace.
I hope to get this job.
Using ‘what I hope for…’ is very formal.
You can shorten it and say ‘I hope to…’
Lindsay is reminded of Obama’s campaign when he ran for president.
His campaign was grounded on the idea of hope.
It was such a powerful concept, especially for America, which has a very diverse culture.
Bonus Structure
All I hope for + (bigger idea)
Example:
All I hope for is that my family knows I love them.
All I hope for is equality.
All I hope for is that my children will remember me in a positive light.
Takeaway
You now have the tools to talk about deeper and more meaningful ideas with native English speakers.
Take note of the grammar structures shared in today’s episode.
With them, you can have a conversation about your hopes and dreams.
If you get confused as you practice, just keep going and don’t be derailed by being grammatically correct all the time.
Don’t make worrying about the grammar keep you from starting a conversation.
Sharing what you want in your life and finding other people sharing the same interests and goals makes our journey in life less lonely and less challenging.
As you finish today’s episode, envision what you want in the future and what you hope to accomplish.
What are the goals you hope to achieve in the new year?
Share them in the comments below.
