i hope that he finishes his homework on time

Subjunctive Quiz

You can do this grammar quiz online or print it on paper. It tests what you learned on the Subjunctive page.

1. It is essential that she _____ at the meeting.

2. If I _____ you I would call her tonight.

3. It is necessary that every student _____ a uniform.

4. I hope that he _____ his homework on time.

5. The doctors recommended that she _____ a holiday.

6. The boss asks that you _____ early for your first day of work.

7. If he _____ feeling better we would go.

8. It is important that we _____ home as soon as we arrive.

9. The landlord requested that John _____ out of the apartment.

10. We want the windows _____ washed before Friday.

Your score is:

Correct answers:

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English Grammar: Wish vs. Hope (Review & Exercises)

English Level : Intermediate+

Focus : An overview of the rules between the verbs wish and hope

Jump to : Wish (below), Hope , Exercises

Worksheet Download :  wish-hope-worksheet-esl.docx (scroll down to study the exercises online)

Put simply, this is the difference between hope and wish:

• The verb wish  usually describes the present or the past .
• The verb hope  usually describes a possible  future  situation.

Let's look at the rules and some examples in detail.

The Verb Wish to Describe a Present Desire

Form: subject + wish + (that) + noun + past simple / past progressive

• I wish (that) I had more money now. (this describes a desire the present)
• She wishes (that) she were taller.
• He wishes (that) he didn't have to work today.
• They wish (that) they could come .
• I wish (that) it wasn't raining. 

The verb wish used this way is the same as the present unreal conditional (second conditional).  All of these sentences describe and unreal/imaginary situation that someone wants.

• John doesn't have a car. He's sad. = He wishes he had a car .
• I don't have enough time :( = I wish I had more time .
• Her leg is broken. She's sad. = She wishes her leg weren't broken .

Even though the grammar is in the past tense ( I wish I had more money ), the meaning is in the present . Any wish can also be expressed in the second (present unreal) conditional.

• John wishes he had a car . = If John had a car, he would be happy.
• I wish I had more time . = If I had more time, I would be happy.
• She wishes her leg weren't broken . = If her leg were not broken, she would be happy.

Grammar note : Just like in the second conditional, we don't use was . Instead of saying, " I wish I was taller, " it is more correct (grammatically) to say " I wish I  were taller ." These sentences, in the second conditional, would be "If I were taller, I would be happy." The idea is the same. We generally don't use  was .

Remember, when we use wish, we always want for the opposite of the real situation now. Because of this, the verb changes from positive to negative , or negative to positive . Let me show you.

My dog is sick. :(

• The verb =   is
• Verb in the past = was   were
• Change to negative = weren't
• The whole sentence = I wish my dog weren't sick.

I can't swim. :(

• The verb = can't swim
• Verb in past = couldn't swim
• Change to positive = could swim
• The whole sentence = I wish I could swim. 

I'm gaining weight. :(

• The verb =  am gaining (present progressive)
• Verb in past = was   were gaining (past progressive)
• Change to negative =  weren't gaining
• The whole sentence = I wish I weren't gaining weight. 

It's not that hard, is it? Let's try some exercises .

Exercise #1 - Using Wish in the Present

Remember to avoid using was with wish. Good luck.

• John is poor. John wishes he (be/not) poor.
• My apartment is small. I wish it (be) bigger.
• She hates her job. She wishes she (have) a different one.
• I can't sing. I wish I (can/sing).
• I have to get up early for my job. I wish I (not/have to) get up early.
• It's raining now. I wish it (not/rain).
• I'm so tired. I wish I (sleep) now instead of working.
• The students have a lot of homework. They wish they (not/have) homework.

Check Answers    

The Verb Wish + Would  to Describe a Present Desire

I've just told you that we use a past tense verb  (past simple or past progressive) after wish. However, we use the helping verb  would when we wish that someone else would do an action.

• I wish you would listen. (It's my wish, but I want  you to do the action.)
• She wishes her husband wouldn't  leave the toilet seat up. (It's her wish, but she's wishing someone else do the action.)
• I wish the manager  would do something . (Again, the wish is directed at someone else.)

We only use  would when the verb is an action verb , not a state verb (for help with this, see this lesson ). In short, action verbs are verbs like ' kick/run/open/stop ' that have an action (we move our bodies). Non-action verbs (stative or linking) are verbs like ' have/be/know/understand ' that describe a situation (or state), not an action. Here at some examples.

My friend John doesn't have a job. He is poor. :(

Possible wishes:

• I wish he weren't poor . (BE = state verb, so we don't add would)
• I wish he had a job . (HAVE = state verb, so we don't add would).
• I wish he would find a job . (Find = action verb, so we add would .)
• I wish he would look for a job . (Look = an action verb, so we add would .)

This is difficult, isn't it? Remember, these are all wishes that the subject wishes  someone else  do. Let's look at another example.

My dog Pepe is a bad dog. :(

• I wish he weren't bad . (BE = state verb)
• I wish he wouldn't chew on my shoes . (Chew = action)
• I wish he would listen . (Listen = action)

Do you see the difference? Let's try some exercises.

Exercise #2 - Wishing Other People Do Things  (Action or State Verbs)

Remember to only use would if it's a wish that the wisher wants someone else to do, and if the verb is an action verb.

• My neighbour plays loud music. I wish he (turn) his music down. I've asked him to do so, but he won't listen. I wish he (listen).
• Also, his dog barks all night. I wish the dog (not/bark) so much. I wish my neighbour (have) a pet fish, not a dog.
• Yesterday, someone parked in my parking space. I wish people (not/park) in my spot. There's even a sign that says, “Reserved Parking”. I wish people (read) the sign.
• It's expensive and troublesome to have a car in the city. Sometimes I wish I (not/have) a car. However, public transit is not very convenient here. I wish the government (build) more subway lines.
• English grammar is difficult sometimes. I wish it (be) easier.

Using Wish to Describe a Past Regret or Mistake

We can also use wish to talk about mistakes or regrets in the past.

Form: subject + wish + (that) + noun + past perfect*

(*Past perfect = had + past participle)

• I didn't study enough when I was young. I wish I had studied more.
• I didn't bring an umbrella. I wish I had brought an umbrella.
• She said something impolite. She wishes she hadn't said it.
• My friend forgot my birthday. I wish he hadn't forgotten .

The grammar for wishes in the past is the same as the past unreal conditional (third conditional). Again, when we wish, we are wishing for the opposite of reality. The verb describes the opposite of the situation.

Fact : I broke the dish. :(

• Verb = broke
• Verb in past perfect = had broken
• Change from positive to negative = hadn't broken
• Full sentence = I wish I hadn't broken the dish .

Fact : She didn't tell me about the party. :(

• Verb = didn't tell
• Verb in past perfect = hadn't told
• Change from negative to positive = had told
• Full sentence = I wish she had told me. 

That's it for the past. Fortunately, we don't use  would  when we talk about past wishes. So it's pretty easy.

Exercise #3 - Wishes in the Past

• I didn't wake up on time. I wish I (wake) up on time.
• Lisa arrived late. She wishes she (arrive) earlier.
• He forgot to bring his passport. He wishes he (bring) it.
• I painted my room black, but it looks terrible. I wish I (not/paint) it black.
• There was too much salt in the soup. I wish the chef (use) less salt.
• She told me the ending of the movie, so now I don't want to see it. I wish I (not/speak) to her.

The Verb Hope to Describe a Future Desire

Form: Subject + [ hope ] + (that) + [ present tense ]

• I have a test tomorrow. I hope (that) I pass .
• John is looking for a job. He hopes (that) he gets a job soon.
• It's cloudy. I hope (that) it does not rain .
• The movie starts soon. I hope (that) it is interesting.

All of these examples talk about something that we want to happen in the future (tomorrow, soon).

With the verb hope, we use the present simple tense  even though we are talking about the future . However, some English speakers will use a future tense (which may not be good grammar), but is acceptable.

• I hope I pass = I hope I will pass .
• He hopes he gets a job = He hopes he will get a job .
• I hope it does not rain = I hope it won't rain .

These sentences are all acceptable, even though they don't follow the traditional rules of grammar. For the exercises below, please use a present tense , however.

Exercise #4 - Hope for Future Desires

• I hope there (be) never a war again.
• Tim hopes that he (get) a bicycle for Christmas.
• I hope that it (not/rain) tonight.
• Jenny hopes she (not/fail) her exam.
• I hope I (see) you at the party tonight.

Hope with a Past Action

Hope is sometimes used with past actions. For example:

• "Thanks for coming my party last night. I hope that you had a good time."
• Karen had to rush to the airport. I hope (that) she remembered her passport.

In these sentences, hope has the same meaning it normally does: it describes a desire . Note the differences between hope in the past and wish in the past:

• I hope that you had a good time . (Meaning = You went to the party, and I desire that you had a good time (it's what I want))
• I wish that you had had a good time . (Meaning = You went to the party, but did not have a good time. You regret this.)
• I hope that she remembered her passport . (Meaning = You desire that she remembered her passport.)
• I wish she had remembered her passport . (Meaning = She forgot her passport. You regret this.)

In summary, wish in the past expresses a regret about an action. Hope in the past, like hope in the future, describes a desire/want.

That's the end of the lesson. There are a few more notes below that you can skip if you want to jump to more exercises.

Note #1: Don't we Use Wish for the Future Too?

Not really. Look at this sentence:

• I wish I didn't have to work tomorrow.

This is describing a present situation. You have to work tomorrow, and you are unhappy about that now . You wish the situation were different. If you didn't have to work tomorrow, you would be happy now. This is still describing the present in my opinion. This is the same as when we use 'want' with the future (e.g. I want a bicycle for my birthday (next year) ).

Note #2 :  ' wish + infinitive ' is also used as a more formal want to say 'want to.' For example,  she wishes to see you .

Note #3: ' hope + infinitive ' can also be used  when the subject of the sentence is the person who will do the action.

• I hope that I pass. = I hope to pass .
• He hopes that he doesn't fail. = He hopes not to fail .
• I hope that he passes. = I hope he to pass. (You cannot use it here)

Note #4 : 'wish + noun' is used to say that you hope someone has something in the future. For example:

• I wish you a Merry Christmas. ( = I hope you have a Merry Christmas.)
• I wish you a quick recovery. ( = I hope you recover soon).

Now, let's try some exercises to see if you can use the correct verb.

Exercise #5 - Wish or Hope? Write the Verb

• John failed his test. He he had studied more. He he passes his next one.
• My apartment is small. I I had a bigger apartment. I I didn't live here.
• Ryan has a soccer game tomorrow. He his team wins. The game might be cancelled though, if it rains. He it doesn't rain.
• Tina doesn't like Donald Trump. She  he had not won the election. She that he doesn't destroy the world.

Exercise #6 - Wish or Hope? Add the Correct Verb and Clause

• Tina is single. She doesn't have a boyfriend, but she wants one. In other words, Tina (wish/hope) she (have) boyfriend.
• My sister bought a suitcase last week. But when she took it on her travels, it broke. She regrets buying it. In other words, she (wish/hope) she (not/buy) it.
• My friends are always looking at their mobile phones. I (wish/hope) they (not/do) that. It's rude.
• Bobby has a lot of work to do, but he  (wish/hope) that he  (can/finish) by 5 p.m..
• Yesterday, John asked his co-worker if she was pregnant. She got angry at him because she wasn't. John (wish/hope) that he (not/say) that.
• I have an important speech to give tomorrow. I (hope/wish) that I (not/forget) everything I plan to say.

There are other ways in which we use these verbs, but those are the main ways the verbs hope and wish are used.

If you have any questions or you find a mistake, please write a comment below.

All the best.

- Matthew Barton (copyright) / Creator of Englishcurrent.com

• The First and Second Conditional
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48 comments on “ English Grammar: Wish vs. Hope (Review & Exercises) ”

It is bloody ineresting,useful and easy!!Thank you very much

Ummm, It’s absolutely perfect and completely useful.You’re awesome, Mr Barton!.Eventually I learned it.Thanx a zillion. Wish you all the best

it is very good thanks alot

Why do we use “so” instead of “too” in this sentence : I wish he wouldn’t speak so loudly. Thanks..

–Good question. I’ve never thought about that. We don’t seem to use ‘too’ with wish. I wish she weren’t so impolite. ( = meaning: I wish she were less impolite) I wish I weren’t so poor. ( = meaning: I wish I were less poor) I wish he wouldn’t speak so loudly. ( = meaning: I wish he would speak less loudly)

–If we use ‘too’ in the sentences, the ‘meaning’ becomes strange. I wish she weren’t too impolite. ( = meaning: I wish she were regularly/normally impolite) I wish I weren’t too poor. ( = meaning: I wish I were regularly/normally poor) I wish he wouldn’t speak too loudly. ( = meaning: I wish he would speak regularly/normally loudly)

In other words, when you use wish + ‘too’ with a negative adjective (e.g. too ugly), it logically means you wish they were that negative adjective (you wish they were ugly), just not ‘too’ much of it. This is a strange wish. That is my guess.

Thank you very much it was very good practice the last one was the most difficult.

This was very well explained, and also made me think about why we do use ‘too’ with the word ‘hope’. For example, “I hope I’m not too late,” or “I hope I’m not too sick to travel.” In these cases we’re essentially acknowledging a negative trait (being late, being sick), and expressing a hope that it’s not too harmful.

“I hope I’m not too late” is especially interesting, since if you say it when you arrive, you might think it’s referring to the present. However, it does still refer to the future since while we’re already late, we’re still lacking the knowledge of whether we were *too* late.

thanks a lot for this work.

Thanks for these information it s very interesting

You missed the use of hope for the past: I hope you had a good time. I hope you weren’t too busy yesterday. Other than that a great exercise. Just that one element missing.

Thanks! I added a short explanation about hope in the past. Cheers

It’s completely useful!! Thanks

You should also provide the correct answers

The answers are provided. Just click the ‘Check Answers’ button.

Excellent explanation. I had been searching for a good one and here you have a lot of uses, the grammar and the differences. Thanks a lot

Great explanation! Thanks a lot!

A person’s success does not depend on his wisdom, but perseverance

It was really useful, thank you Matthew

Thank you sooo much! Excellent explanation.

Thank you! Keep up the good work.

I have seen an example relating to hope with a present meaning which you haven’t mentioned here… e.g. I hope the children are enjoying the film (happening now). I hope you understand my reasons for…. (I hope you understand now)

Hello. Yes, those seem correct. There does seem to be a way to use hope with state verbs to describe the present. I will have to update the page. Thanks!

This was a bit difficult

Thanks a lot! Very useful and easy to understand for my FCE students!

Thank you very much! This is a helpful tool for teachers and students.

I think one very useful distinction is that the word ‘wish’ refers to what is known, whereas ‘hope’ refers to what is unknown. This explains why you can sometimes use ‘hope’ referring to the past or present, as you might not be aware of what has already happened, but you would never use ‘wish’ to refer to the future, since it is unknowable.

In fact, this leads me to think that the only way to use ‘wish’ about the future is if we are certain of what the future will hold, which ties in with your example in note #1: we know we have to work, but we wish we didn’t.

Interesting analysis. It makes sense. Is this an original theory or based on a grammar textbook?

Thank you so much.

Thank you. It is very important note and exercises with answers.

Your rules are very clear and simple to remember.

Thank you infinitely.

I have a question: What about the following phrase: ” I wish you would be quiet “. (I read it in an English book about regrets, but here you say that you can’t use “would” with stative verbs like the verb “to be” so I’m confused) is that phrase correct? is that an exception? Thank you for the lesson! very instructive!

Hello. Good question. The phrase “be quiet” is actually an expression representing an action (with a similar meaning to ‘shut up’). This makes it an exception. Here are some examples with the normal use of the ‘be’ verb (not representing an action). You can see that they are odd (and incorrect): “I wish you would be rich.” / “I wish that you would be taller.” < Both of these are wrong and should use 'were'.

Oh thank you, I got it!. So in the following phrase: ” I wish you would be a bit more friendly “, “BE A BIT MORE FRIENDLY” represents an action?

Yes, to ‘be friendly’ in the context of that sentence means to ‘act friendly’. The speaker is referring to an action.

Nice!! Again, thank you for your help and thank you for your patience. I’ve had that question in my head for months, now I’m free!!

It’s use for learning. It helps teacher to understand so much.

Hi Matthew, Great content again. I have just taught a lesson on present wishes and I found that my students were saying many sentences that seemed “unnatural” to me. For example, “I wish I passed the test”. Would it be better to say, “I wish I had passed the test” to instead express a past wish? Also, is it the case that non-action verbs typically work more naturally with present wishes? For example “I wish I believed in him”, “I wish I loved her” or “I wish I knew his number”. Let me know what you think. Thanks again.

Hello. I agree. “I wish I passed the test” should be “I wish I’d passed the test.”. Wish + past perfect = describes a past regrettable action/situation, and wish + past simple describes a present regrettable situation (e.g. She’s not here. I wish she were here.) Yes, it does seem like non-action verbs (State verbs) work best with present wishes. It’s hard to think of an action verb that could be regrettable in the present, simply because actions happen and finish so quickly. It’s hard to kick someone and regret it while it’s happening — the regret always comes after, making it a past wish. It seems like you understand based on your comments. Good luck with your classes.

Really thank you for the exercises

good for sharpening the brain

Nice!! Again, thank you for your help and thank you for your patience. I’ve had that question in my head for months, now I’m free!!

Your explanation was so good. Thanks!!

I love thé way that you teach

What a great and useful lesson for non-native English speakers!

very nice and Im happy

learning is very good and interesting, in my opinion this is something new that I have just tried and in this link there is a lot of knowledge and it is very complete

Missing and respecting each other is a good thing.

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Subjuntive - Is it ok to say

Perfect English Grammar

• I hope that you have a great time.
• I hope that she passed the exam.
• I hope to pass the exam.
• I hope to get there early.
• I hope (that) it's sunny where you are.
• I hope (that) she's having a wonderful time.
• I hope that she comes to the party tomorrow.
• I hope that she'll come to the party tomorrow.
• I hope you can come to the party tomorrow.
• I hope to come to the party tomorrow. (=I hope I can come to the party tomorrow.)
• I hope to run a marathon this year.
• I hope she passed the exam.
• I hope John hasn't got lost.
• I hope Amanda found her keys.
• I hoped you would pass the exam. (But you didn't pass).
• I hoped I'd see Lucy at the meeting. (But I didn't see her.)
• I was hoping you would pass the exam.
• I had hoped you would pass the exam.
• I was hoping to pass the exam, and I would have passed it if I hadn't got sick.
• She always hoped that her son would go to university.
• I got lost in the middle of London and I hoped that I would be able to find my way back to my hotel. (We don't know if the person found the hotel or not.)
• I hope your hair falls out and you lose all your money!

Hello! I'm Seonaid! I'm here to help you understand grammar and speak correct, fluent English.

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• Cambridge Dictionary +Plus

Hope is a verb and a noun.

Hope as a verb

After hope , we often use present verb forms even when there is reference to the future:

We hope she passes her driving test next week.

I just hope the bus is on time tomorrow.

We don’t normally use hope in the negative:

I hope it doesn’t rain.

Not: I don’t hope it rains .

The past continuous of hope is used to make polite statements and, especially, polite requests:

I was hoping to have a word with you, Professor O’Malley.

We were hoping you could lend us your car while you were in America.

Hope as a noun

We can use hope as a countable noun:

In 1938, there was still a hope that war could be avoided.

After the election, their hopes were high, but five years later nothing has changed.

When we mean hope in general, we do not use an article:

You must never give up hope .

Not: You must never give up the hope .

Expect , hope or wait ?

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Varied and diverse (Talking about differences, Part 1)

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"he finishes" vs "he finish"

Last Updated: February 16, 2024

he finishes

This phrase is correct. The verb 'finishes' agrees with the subject 'he' in number and person.

• He finishes his homework before dinner.
• She finishes her work on time.
• The dog finishes its food quickly.
• John finishes the race in first place.
• The team finishes the project ahead of schedule.

This phrase is not correct. The verb 'finish' does not agree with the subject 'he' in number and person.

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The psychological benefits of finishing your homework on time

H omework has long been a staple of the educational experience, often viewed as a tool for reinforcing learning and assessing student understanding. Despite its educational importance, many students struggle with timely completion, facing obstacles such as procrastination, distraction, and a lack of motivation. These challenges can make homework seem like a daunting task. However, the benefits of completing homework on time extend beyond academic achievement. This article aims to explore the psychological benefits associated with timely homework completion, revealing how this practice can enhance mental well-being and foster personal growth.

Enhanced time management skills

One of the key psychological benefits of completing homework on time is the development of robust time management skills. When students regularly meet homework deadlines, they learn to prioritize tasks and manage their time more effectively. This skill is crucial not only in academic settings but also in personal and professional life. Mastering time management can lead to a sense of control over one’s life, which significantly reduces feelings of stress and overwhelm. It’s common to hear students ask, “ Can you write my paper for me ?” as deadlines approach. However, those who have honed their time management skills are more likely to tackle assignments independently and with confidence, knowing they have planned adequately to meet their obligations.

Reduced stress and anxiety

The act of finishing homework on time can significantly alleviate stress and anxiety. Procrastination often leads to a buildup of tasks, which can become overwhelming as deadlines draw near. This not only increases anxiety but also triggers a cycle of stress and poor performance. By completing assignments on time, students can avoid the panic associated with last-minute rushes. The psychological relief that comes from knowing that all tasks are completed and nothing is hanging over one’s head is profound. Regularly experiencing this relief helps students maintain a calmer, more composed mindset, which is conducive to both academic success and general well-being.

Improved self-esteem

Timely completion of homework also plays a critical role in enhancing self-esteem. When students finish their work on time, they receive positive feedback and grades, which reinforces their self-image and confidence in their abilities. This process is vital for building self-efficacy, the belief in one’s capability to execute behaviors necessary to produce specific performance attainments. Achieving daily homework goals provides a continuous stream of small successes, each boosting the student’s self-esteem. Over time, this pattern fosters a more positive self-concept and encourages students to embrace more significant challenges, knowing they have the skills and discipline to succeed.

Better sleep patterns

Regular completion of homework by set deadlines can also lead to improved sleep patterns. When students avoid cramming their studies into late-night hours, they can maintain a healthier sleep schedule. This is crucial because adequate sleep is essential for brain function, emotional regulation, and overall mental health. A consistent sleep pattern prevents sleep deprivation’s cognitive impairments, such as reduced attention, slower processing, and memory issues. Students who manage their homework efficiently tend to go to bed at a reasonable hour, leading to better psychological and physical health outcomes.

Increased academic performance

There is a direct correlation between timely homework completion and academic performance. Students who consistently complete their homework on time often achieve higher grades and gain a deeper understanding of the material. This practice allows for regular study and revision, which enhances learning retention and prepares students for complex topics and exams. Psychologically, the regular accomplishment of set tasks, like homework, enhances mental agility and academic stamina, which is essential for long-term educational success.

Long-term academic and career benefits

Developing good habits in homework completion can yield significant long-term benefits in both academic and professional contexts. Academically, students who are diligent and consistent with their homework are more likely to pursue higher education and succeed in their chosen fields. Professionally, these habits translate into traits valued in the workplace, such as reliability, punctuality, and thoroughness. The psychological advantage of being perceived as dependable and hardworking cannot be overstated, as it opens doors to opportunities and fosters professional growth and stability.

The psychological benefits of completing homework on time are profound and multifaceted. From enhanced time management and reduced stress to improved self-esteem and better sleep patterns, the advantages extend well beyond the classroom. As students cultivate these habits, they not only boost their academic performance but also prepare themselves for future challenges in their academic and professional lives. It’s important for students to recognize these benefits and seek resources that reinforce good study habits, whether through educational tools, supportive peer groups, or essay writing service reviews when necessary. Ultimately, developing the discipline to complete homework on time is an investment in one’s mental health and future success.

Subordinating Conjunction Quiz

Check your understanding of proper linking words in English

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 Use 'as' (or 'while') as a time expression expressing the idea that something happens at the same time.

Use 'inasmuch' as a subordinating conjunction to express that a condition has been fulfilled. 

• due to the fact

Use the time expression 'as soon as' with the same meaning as 'when' but to express more urgency. 

 The subordinating conjunction 'while' can be used to mean at the same time, or to contrast information in the same sense as 'although' . 

 Use 'as long as' in the same sense as 'if' indicating that a condition must be met. 

 The subordinating conjunction 'as' can be used as a synonym for 'because' or 'since' to provide a reason .

   The subordinating conjunction 'since' can be used as a synonym for 'because' or 'as' to provide a reason.

 Use 'even if' to express that something will or will not be true despite someone meeting a condition . 

 Use the time expression 'until' in a time clause to indicate that something needs / needed to be completed before something else happened / happens. 

• by the time

 Use 'by' with a specific time and 'by the time' with a full clause to indicate a time in the future by which something will have been completed. 

The subordinating conjunction 'because' can be used as a synonym for 'since' or 'as' to provide a reason .

 Use the past simple together with the past perfect and 'after' to express something that had been completed before another event. 

 Use the subordinating conjunction 'although' to show contrast, or something that is completed despite difficulties. 

 Use 'if' as a subordinating conjunction to express a conditio n for another event to take place. 

• due to the fact that

 'Before' can be used as a time expression in future time clauses . 

 'Since' can be used as a time expression together with the present perfect to mark a beginning point in time. 

• Even though

'Even though', 'although' and 'though' are similar in meaning and can show unexpected results . 

• By the time

'In case' can be used in the same sense as 'if' for real conditional sentences . 

• even though
• the last time

 'The last time' can be used as a time expression to refer to the last of a series of events in the past.

   Use 'even if' to express that something will or will not be true despite someone meeting a condition. 

 Congratulations! You have an excellent understanding of how subordinating conjunctions are used to link sentences in English. Keep studying these forms and you'll improve your writing skills. 

 You understand and can use a number of subordinating conjunctions. However, there are a few that you haven't yet mastered. Don't worry, keep at it and you'll understand the few you haven't yet learned how to use. 

 Subordinating conjunctions are used to create complex sentences in English. You'll need to review these forms to help your writing skills in English. Don't worry, you'll understand soon. 

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He can/could finish his homework by today.

• Thread starter mikeotori
• Start date Dec 11, 2016
• Dec 11, 2016

Hi, I'm confused about the difference between can and could. For example,if you want to say it is possible for him to finish him homewor by today, How should I say？ ・He can finish his homework by today. or ・He could finish his homework by today.  

Thomas Tompion

Member emeritus.

How can it be possible for him to finish his homework by today? If he hasn't finished it by today, it's not possible for him to finish it by today. If he has finished it now, it makes no sense to talk of its being possible for him to finish it by today. We'd use the expression 'by today' most obviously to talk of an arrangement made in the past - he told me he would do it by today . Let's hope someone more imaginative than I am can help you with this, Mikeotori. I think another example would be easier to work with.  

Now I realized it didn't make sense.So could you replace today with tomorrow?  

Moderator Emeritus

mikeotori said: Now I realized it didn't make sense.So could you replace today with tomorrow? Click to expand...

Thanks. And I ve heard that sometimes "can" and "could" are not interchangeable. for example, you can say "The rumors could be true." but you can't say "The rumors can be true." If yes,why?  

mikeotori said: for example, you can say "The rumors could be true." but you can't say "The rumors can be true." If yes,why? Click to expand...

Got it. Is there any examples that can is preferred？  

mikeotori said: Is there any examples that can is preferred？ Click to expand...

Senior Member

I can answer your question. = a definite statement of my ability. This implies that I intend to answer it. I could answer your question. = I have the ability but I might not do it. Modals are notoriously difficult to grasp and often the emphasis put in a sentence is as important as the word itself. Making "rules" sometimes makes them even harder, so looking out for examples and asking about them is essential.  

suzi br said: I can answer your question. = a definite statement of my ability. This implies that I intend to answer it. I could answer your question. = I have the ability but I might not do it. Modals are notoriously difficult to grasp and often the emphasis put in a sentence is as important as the word itself. Making "rules" sometimes makes them even harder, so looking out for examples and asking about them is essential. Click to expand...

He can finish his homework by tomorrow - this sounds like a schoolmaster granting a pupil permission, probably to have what my students used to call an extension - allowing them to hand in work later than previously agreed. or He could finish his homework by tomorrow - it would be possible for him to do so. This might be used to suggest that the pupil, in the circumstances under discussion, would be able to have his homework finished by tomorrow. While I've suggested circumstances in which these things might be said, to give an idea of one possibly appropriate context, I'm not saying that these are the only circumstances in which people might say or write these things.  

Hmm... I don't know how to explain this. So I'll write down the entire sentences of this scene. -------- Mouse took the cookies from the cookie jar! Who,me? Couldn't be! Please don't tease , I eat cheese. -------  

Hope Hicks gets teary testifying at Trump’s hush money trial

After a week of tabloid-focused testimony, the former aide led the jury through the whirlwind of the 2016 campaign and directly to the Oval Office.

NEW YORK — Hope Hicks, a former top aide to Donald Trump , appeared to break down crying on the witness stand Friday at Trump’s criminal trial, where she described campaign and White House efforts to keep a lid on scandalous stories about his past sex life.

Her time on the stand marked a significant shift in the focus of trial testimony; after days of hearing about tabloid editors and secret deals to stifle or sell celebrity gossip, the jury was led through the whirlwind of the 2016 presidential campaign and directly to the Oval Office.

Prosecutors with the Manhattan district attorney’s office wanted Hicks to show the jury how worried the 2016 Trump campaign was about negative stories about him and women — a key element in Trump’s alleged motive in the hush money case.

Her testimony seemed to accomplish that limited goal, but overall her tenor was respectful and complimentary of Trump, the presumptive GOP nominee for president in the November election; far from an aide turning against her former boss, she came across as a still-loyal and reluctant participant in his prosecution.

Hicks has long been seen as one of Trump’s most loyal aides, following him from his business to the 2016 presidential campaign to the White House. After about two hours on the witness stand in a packed courtroom, she was overcome by emotion as Trump lawyer Emil Bove prepared to cross-examine her.

As Bove began, Hicks slowly turned her face away from Trump, who was sitting at the defense table, and toward the jury. She brought her hand to her nose and started to quietly cry.

“Miss Hicks, do you need a break?” asked New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan .

“Yes,” she said through tears.

Trump hush money trial

With that, the jury was sent out of the courtroom while Hicks collected herself.

Trump had watched Hicks enter the courtroom but did not react much during her time on the stand; at some points he wrote notes and passed them to his lawyers, but mostly he sat impassively at the defense table, listening with his eyes mostly closed.

Hicks appeared nervous at the start of her testimony, but there was no confrontation or revelation that seemed to prompt her emotional moment. It appeared that the attention of the high-profile trial, and being a prosecution witness against her former boss, whom she described in positive terms, became overwhelming as the day wore on.

Hicks told the jury about conversations inside the White House in 2018, as aides dealt with the fallout from news stories about payments made to two women during the 2016 campaign to keep them from going public with allegations about sexual trysts with Trump.

Under questioning from prosecutor Matthew Colangelo, Hicks recounted speaking to Trump after an article appeared in 2018 about a payment to adult-film actress Stormy Daniels. That $130,000 payment was first made by Michael Cohen, then a lawyer for Trump, whom Trump later reimbursed. Those reimbursements, and their categorization as legal costs rather than campaign expenses, are the basis of the 34-count indictment filed against Trump by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D).

After that hush money payment was detailed by the Wall Street Journal, Hicks said, Trump told her that “Michael had paid this woman to protect him from a false allegation, and that Michael felt like it was his job to protect him and that’s what he was doing and he did it out of the kindness of his heart.” Soon after the story came out, Cohen publicly claimed to have made the payment with his own money.

Cohen completed a three-year prison term after pleading guilty to fraud and lying, and has become an outspoken Trump critic . He is expected to be a key witness in the case. Hicks on Friday became the latest of several trial witnesses who have said biting things about Cohen .

Asked if it sounded like Mr. Cohen to make a $130,000 payment “out of the kindness of his heart,” Hicks replied, “I’d say that would be out of character for Michael … I didn’t know Michael to be an especially charitable person or selfless person.”

She said he was “the kind of person who seeks credit.”

At another point, Hicks wryly mentioned that Cohen liked to refer to himself as a “fixer,” yet in her experience, he fixed things “only because he first broke it.”

For prosecutors, the main purpose of Hicks’s testimony seemed to be showing that Trump and his campaign were very concerned about allegations made against him by women.

When it came to the Daniels story, which surfaced publicly while he was in the White House, Hicks said Trump told her that “it was better to be dealing with it now, and it would have been bad to have that story come out before the election.”

As soon as Hicks said that, prosecutors ended their questioning.

Her testimony, while emotional at one moment, did not offer any major revelations or surprises, but it adds to prosecutors’ larger point that Trump was motivated to keep scandalous stories out of the public eye during the election.

But Hicks’s account also made clear that her former boss was concerned about the potential effect of the allegations on his family.

When the Journal published a story in early November 2016 about the National Enquirer buying the rights to a Playboy model’s tale of an affair with Trump — a purchase the tabloid made for the express purpose of keeping the allegation quiet — Hicks said the presidential candidate worried about Melania Trump’s reaction.

In her role as a campaign adviser, Hicks said, she wanted to “blow past it and keep going,” since the election was only days away.

She said Trump was “concerned about the story, he was concerned about how it would be viewed by his wife, and he wanted me to make sure that the newspapers weren’t delivered to their residence that morning.”

By that point, the campaign had already been rocked a month earlier, when The Washington Post revealed the existence of an “Access Hollywood” recording in which Trump bragged about grabbing women’s genitalia.

That story unleashed a political maelstrom, Hicks testified. Prosecutors wanted her testimony in part to show that, after the scandal, Trump and his campaign were desperate to prevent further damaging stories about him and women, and that gave the candidate and his staff a powerful motive to keep Daniels and any other potential accusers quiet.

Hicks said she was “a little stunned” when she was first asked for comment about the “Access Hollywood” tape, and wrote in an email that they should “deny, deny, deny.”

“I had a good sense that this was going to be a massive story and sort of dominate the news cycle for the next several days at least,” she said. “This was a crisis.”

At times in her testimony, Hicks flashed a sense of humor, noting that around the same time as that story, a hurricane hit the East Coast.

“I don’t think anybody remembers where or when that hurricane made landfall,” she said. “It was all Trump, all the time, for the next 36 hours.”

The 11th day of the trial — the first time a former U.S. president has faced criminal charges — began with the judge reassuring Trump that despite being found in contempt of court for repeated violations of his gag order, Trump still had an absolute right to testify in his defense if he wanted to do so later.

“It came to my attention that there may be some misunderstanding regarding the order,” Merchan said, referring to comments Trump made a day earlier in the courthouse hallway. Speaking to reporters, the former president had complained that the judge’s order — which bars him from talking about witnesses, or the families of the judge or the prosecutor — prevented him from testifying. It does not.

Merchan tried to clear up the issue by telling Trump: “You have an absolute right to testify at trial if that’s what you decide to do after consultation with your attorneys.” The gag order, he said, only applies to statements made outside the courtroom, whether in the hallway, in media interviews or on social media.

As Merchan spoke, Trump nodded in agreement.

Trump has flirted publicly with the idea of testifying in his defense, though lawyers usually advise defendants not to do so, because it gives prosecutors a chance to question the person under oath in front of the jury.

Trump has been found in contempt of court for nine statements that violated the judge’s gag order, and Merchan is considering four additional statements that may also be violations.

Later Friday, a court official said Trump has paid the $9,000 in fines he owed for those violations. The payment was made in two installments: one for $2,000 and another for $7,000.

Trump New York hush money case

Former president Donald Trump’s criminal hush money trial is underway in New York. Follow live updates from the trial .

Key witnesses: Several key witnesses, including David Pecker and Stormy Daniels, have taken the stand. Here’s what Daniels said during her testimony . Read full transcripts from the trial .

Gag order: New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan has twice ruled that Trump violated his gag order , which prohibits him from commenting on jurors and witnesses in the case, among others. Here are all of the times Trump has violated the gag order .

The case: The investigation involves a $130,000 payment made to Daniels, an adult-film actress , during the 2016 presidential campaign. It’s one of many ongoing investigations involving Trump . Here are some of the key people in the case .

The charges: Trump is charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Falsifying business records is a felony in New York when there is an “intent to defraud” that includes an intent to “commit another crime or to aid or conceal” another crime. He has pleaded not guilty . Here’s what to know about the charges — and any potential sentence .

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Tears and Hope on the Witness Stand

The defense made the former trump communications director cry. the prosecution seems to have gotten what it wanted..

Read our ongoing coverage of Donald Trump’s  first criminal trial here .

After a drab week of testimony in People of New York v. Donald J. Trump , a bit of excitement finally entered the courtroom Friday when former White House communications director Hope Hicks showed up to testify against her former boss.

There was no dramatic confrontation between Trump and the 35-year-old image of youth within the Trump administration—Hicks did not appear to look at her boss directly when entering or exiting the courtroom, or much at all during the testimony itself. For his part, Trump initially glanced at Hicks, before closing his ( beautiful blue ) eyes—as he has done throughout the proceedings—during the most sordid parts of questioning.

The most dramatic moment came at the start of cross-examination, when Trump attorney Emil Bove began to ask Hicks about her time at the Trump Organization, and Hicks began to cry—seeming to wipe away a tear with a tissue—before taking a 10-minute break to recompose herself. What made Hicks cry? It’s honestly hard to say. All Bove said was “I want to talk to you about your time at the Trump Organization,” and that was enough to set Hicks off. Maybe the right question is: What else happened at the Trump Organization?

Regardless of the answer, it is hard to envision how the jury will react to the near-breakdown of Hicks, who had revealed only one or two damaging bits of information about her former boss during the prosecutors’ questioning. Hicks, one of the most practiced public relations professionals in the country, appeared incredibly polished during that questioning. It was only when cross started that she seems to have felt the emotional weight of testifying against her former boss.

That emotional crinkle aside, it was when Hicks testified about the Trump team’s response to various scandals that one of the most damning moments of the entire trial occurred. Hicks testified to how Trump reacted when Cohen confessed in a statement to the New York Times’ Maggie Haberman to making the Stormy Daniels payment. According to the testimony, Hicks had a conversation with Trump the next day in which he seemed to indicate knowledge of Cohen’s payment.

“Mr. Trump was saying that he had spoken to Michael,” Hicks said, before correcting herself to call him “President Trump” (presumably because he had already been elected at that point). “President Trump was saying that he had spoken to Michael and that Michael had paid this woman to protect him from a false allegation and that Michael felt like it was his job to protect him and that’s what he was doing.” She added: “And he did it out of the kindness of his own heart—he never told anybody about it.”

At this point, the prosecutor asked whether this was “in character” for Cohen—to pay $130,000 out of the kindness of his heart—and Hicks responded, like many of the other witnesses have, by taking potshots at Cohen. “I would say that would be out of character for Michael,” she acknowledged. “I didn’t know Michael to be an especially charitable person, or selfless person. [He’s] the kind of person who seeks credit.”

The point was that Cohen would not have done this for Trump just out of the goodness of his heart without the knowledge of “ the boss .” That the president tried to sell this as the story to Hicks is ridiculous, something Hicks seemed to acknowledge while still detailing only what had been said. This ability to dance around the true subject has proved to be the modus operandi of former Trump Organization staffers throughout the trial. “He thought that it was a generous thing to do and he was appreciative of the loyalty—that’s all I remember,” Hicks concluded.

How the jury will interpret the idea that Cohen was acting generously and alone remains to be seen. The most damaging portion of Hicks’ testimony, though, came in the follow-up to this episode. According to Hicks, Trump “wanted to know how it was playing” in regard to the Daniels story, which broke two years after Trump was elected. Specifically, Hicks said, he wanted to know “my thoughts, opinion about this story vs. having a story—a different kind of story—before the campaign had Michael not made that payment.” She continued: “I think Mr. Trump’s opinion was that it was better to be dealing with it now [in 2018], and it would have been bad to have that story coming out before the election.”

This is the key charge that prosecutors are trying to make: that the thing Trump truly cared about—and the reason the payment had been made—was winning the election. That would make it an illegal unreported in-kind contribution to his campaign, which is the central charge that elevates the falsifying business records case from a misdemeanor to a felony. Expect to hear this portion of Hicks’ testimony repeated forcefully during closing arguments. It’s much more important than the waterworks.

These two moments weren’t the only dramatic parts of her testimony either. Hicks was also on the stand to comment on how she, as press secretary, and the Trump campaign itself reacted to the bombshell release of the Access Hollywood tape on Oct. 7, 2016.

It’s fair to say that Hicks—who, during her time in the administration, often came off almost as a surrogate daughter to Trump due to her closeness to Ivanka Trump and to the president himself—being asked to read Trump’s “Grab ’em by the pussy” comments aloud to situate everyone to the story had the entire room spellbound.

When questioned about receiving an email from David Fahrenthold asking the campaign to comment prior to the release of the tape, she described it dryly as “a video where Mr. Trump and Billy Bush are having an inappropriate conversation about a woman.”

Then, when asked to read the transcript of the tape Fahrenthold sent her, she sped through it, taking just a moment to read part of the lengthy transcript before declaring herself “finished.” When prodded to specifically read the longer “Grab ’em by the pussy” section, she spent a little longer on that before, again, cutting it short, saying, “I’m good.”

She described her immediate reaction as being “very concerned,” particularly about the lack of time to respond, with the Washington Post planning to publish within a couple of hours of sending the comment request. Her initial response, in an email forwarded to other members of the campaign team, was “deny, deny, deny.” She also wrote that there was a “need to hear the tape to be sure.”

Hicks laughed uncomfortably at the obvious misstep of this response—the tape would soon become live and impossible to deny—and said she sent it because “it’s a reflex.”

The fallout from the tape was a full-on “crisis” for the campaign. This is when prosecutors allege that efforts to seal a hush money deal with Daniels went into overdrive. “This was pulling us backwards in a way that was going to be hard to overcome,” Hicks acknowledged through a fog of public relations jargon, seeming to downplay the significance of Republican officials’ initial response to the tape.

In the end, though, Hicks delivered a perfect description of how big a story it was: “We were anticipating a Category 4 hurricane making landfall somewhere on the East Coast [that weekend], and I don’t think anybody remembers where or when that hurricane made landfall,” she testified. “It was all Trump, all the time, for 36 hours.”

The next big witness seems likely to be Cohen, who will have to make the case that Trump’s reaction to that crisis was to buy Daniels’ silence. We’ll see if he takes the stand next week.