I hope so, I hope not: expressing wishes

If you want to express your hopes clearly in English, learning how to use I hope so and I hope not is a quick way to sound more natural. These two phrases let you react to something someone says without repeating the whole sentence, and they work perfectly in everyday conversation.

This short lesson is perfect for English learners who already understand basic dialogue and want to respond to statements with confidence. Through a conversation between Emily and Thomas, you will see exactly when to use each phrase and why they mean opposite things.

What does 'I hope so' mean in a conversation?

When you say I hope so, you are saying that you want something to be true or to happen. It refers back to a previous statement without repeating it.

In the dialogue, Emily gives Thomas advice about his relationship with Josie. She says, "Either way, I know you love each other, and you will make the right choice." Thomas replies, "I hope so" [00:38].

Here, Thomas wants Emily's statement to be true. He wants them to make the right choice, so he adds, "I don't want us to make wrong decisions." That is the key idea: I hope so points to something you would like to become reality.

What does 'I hope so' mean? It means you want a previous statement or situation to be true. If someone says "You'll pass the exam," you can reply "I hope so" instead of repeating the whole idea.

When should you say 'I hope not'?

Use I hope not when you do not want something to happen. It is essentially the opposite of I hope so, and it also refers back to what was just said.

Emily then asks Thomas, "Do you think she will only be in the relationship if you guys get married?" Thomas answers, "I hope not" [01:00].

With this reply, Thomas shows he does not want that situation to be real. He explains, "We enjoy each other's company, and we love each other. I wouldn't like this to end our relationship." So I hope not expresses something you would prefer to avoid.

What is the difference between 'I hope so' and 'I hope not'? I hope so means you want something to happen. I hope not means you don't want it to happen. Both react to a previous statement without repeating it.

Why do these phrases avoid repetition?

Both expressions save you from repeating an entire sentence. Instead of saying "I hope we will make the right choice," Thomas simply says I hope so. The word so stands in for the whole idea, and not replaces it with a negative meaning.

This is why I hope so and I hope not feel so natural in real conversations. You react quickly and clearly, and the listener already knows what you are referring to.

How can you practice 'I hope so' and 'I hope not'?

The best way to lock in these phrases is to answer real questions and explain your reasons. The class proposes an activity where you respond with either I hope so or I hope not, and then say why you want or don't want that to happen [01:31].

Here are the three questions to practice with:

1. Will the weather be hot tomorrow?
2. Do you think you will get married next year?
3. Is your friend going to visit you tomorrow?

For each one, pick the phrase that matches your feeling and add a short reason. For example, if you don't like the heat, you might answer the first question with "I hope not, because I prefer cool days." That extra explanation is what turns a short reply into real communication.

How do you answer a question with 'I hope so'? Say "I hope so" when you want the answer to be yes, then add a reason. Example: "Will you get the job? I hope so, I really need it."

The next lesson moves into another useful topic: time expressions with the apostrophe s, which is a key building block for talking about time in English.

Now it's your turn. Answer the three questions in the comments using I hope so or I hope not, and tell us why. I look forward to reading your responses.