The verb to hope · Conjugation
Past Simple of hope
The answer: hoped
A2
A finished action at a definite time in the past.
Quick answer
The Past Simple of the verb to hope is hoped.
Example: I hoped to see you.
Full conjugation in the Past Simple
| Pronoun | Form |
|---|---|
| I | hoped |
| You | hoped |
| He / She / It | hoped |
| We | hoped |
| You (pl.) | hoped |
| They | hoped |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. I wish I pass the test ❌
Use hope for something real and possible: I hope I pass the test. Use wish for something that is not real: I wish I could fly.
2. I don't hope so ❌
For a negative short answer, say I hope not: Is the test today? I hope not! I hope so is the positive answer.
Practice quiz
Going further
The English contest tests the Past Simple of hope in real sentences
Instead of a single school exercise, your students meet this tense in context, in a contest that really motivates them.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of hope?+
Hoped. Hope is a regular verb: I hoped to see you.
Is it hope or wish?+
Hope = for something real and possible. Wish = often for something not real. I hope I pass the test. I wish I could fly.
Is it I hope so or I hope yes?+
Say I hope so (for yes) and I hope not (for no). These are short answers: Will we win? I hope so!
What does hopeful mean?+
Hopeful means full of hope, positive about the future: a hopeful future.
What does hopeless mean?+
Hopeless means with no hope at all. It is the opposite of hopeful. I'm hopeless at maths means I am very bad at maths.
Related pages: hope Past Simple
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/verbs/hope/past-simple
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.
Keep learning
More forms of the verb to hope are coming soon.