I was hoping / I hoped

[Ju]

Ii want to learn the differences in usage between "I hoped" and "I was hoping". The following is the information I obtained from internet.

(Typical narratives about past events the past simple is the default tense. However, if the speaker wishes to convey the ongoing nature of the past action or state, then the past continuous can be used. For example:

"In the days before the wedding, I was hoping that the weather would be good."

You might also have encountered the past continuous more often because it is commonly used as a stock phrase to formulate a polite request.

"I was hoping you could lend me some money."

is more tentative than:

"Can you lend me some money?")


Questions:

1) is the above information correct?

2) if it's correct, based on the example
"I was hoping you could lend me some money.", how do I know it's really a past action or just an polite expression?

3) would you explain with examples for reference?

Thanks.

 

[GoesStation]

Please provide a link to the quoted site.

 

[Ju]

Please provide a link to the quoted site.

https://english.stackexchange.com/q...was-hoping-whats-the-difference/132059#132059

 

[teechar]

how do I know it's really a past action or just an polite expression?

You would know from context.

 

[Rover_KE]

https://english.stackexchange.com/q...was-hoping-whats-the-difference/132059#132059

Ju, we are always asking for this sort of information to be given in post #1.

(sigh)

 

[Tarheel]

Abel: I was hoping you could lend me some money.
Bob: Keep hoping.

:lol:

 

[Ju]

1. I was hoping you could lend me some money.
2. I hoped you could lend me some money.

Both sentences can indicate the past action.
Sentence 1 might indicate the present action but in a polite way.

Am I right?

 

[probus]

No, Ju, you are not right.

I hoped. In the past I hoped, but no longer. That is called the simple past tense. It is used when the past action is complete or finished.

I was hoping. In the past I hoped and I still hope. That is called the past continuous tense. It is used when the past action is still ongoing, and also in some other circumstances.

 

[jutfrank]

1) More or less, yes.

2) Are you asking about I was hoping that you could lend me some money.? Don't worry—you will definitely know from the context (the conversation until that point), as well as from the person's intonation and facial expressions. Also, it's quite likely that the person speaking will go on to explain more, in the hope of convincing you.

 

[Ju]

May I try another situation as follows?

I want to treat Mary to a dinner.

To be more polite, can I say or text her:
1. "Mary, I was hoping I could treat you a dinner."
2. "Mary, I was hoping I can treat you a dinner."

 

[Ju]

No, Ju, you are not right.

I hoped. In the past I hoped, but no longer. That is called the simple past tense. It is used when the past action is complete or finished.

I was hoping. In the past I hoped and I still hope. That is called the past continuous tense. It is used when the past action is still ongoing, and also in some other circumstances.

For "In the past I hoped and I still hope." I thought we should use Present Perfect Continuous tense as it shows that something started in the past and is continuing at the present time.

Could you explain again?

 

[Tarheel]

1. "Mary, I was hoping I could treat you to a dinner."

Apparently, you struck out.

 

[Ju]

Apparently, you struck out.

I'm sorry. I don't get it.

 

[probus]

I'm sorry. I don't get it.

As you have correctly understood "I was hoping you could lend me some money" is a diffident, respectful way of asking for a loan.

Grammatically you could also say "I have been hoping you would lend me some money" but that is a mere assertion. It does not ask the person to do anything. So one could say that "I was hoping ..." is a little idiomatic.

We are still waiting for a link to the source you quoted.

 

[Tarheel]

Ju: I was hoping that I could treat you to a dinner.
Mary: I don't think I would go out with you even if I weren't engaged, which I am.

---xxx---

 

[Ju]

As you have correctly understood "I was hoping you could lend me some money" is a diffident respectful way of asking for a loan.

Grammatically you could also say "I have been hoping you would lend me some money" but that is a mere assertion. It does not ask the person to do anything. So one could say that "I was hoping ..." is a little idiomatic.

We are still waiting for a link to the source you quoted.

The link is in post 3

 

[Ju]

Ju: I was hoping that I could treat you to a dinner.
Mary: I don't think I would go out with you even if I weren't engaged, which I am.

---xxx---

Sorry, I don't understand "which I am" in the reply from Mary.

 

[probus]

"Struck out" is a piece of American slang used to describe a person who asks for a date and is rejected. It is a reference to the game of baseball.

 

[Tarheel]

Sorry, I don't understand "which I am" in the reply from Mary.

She's engaged.

I've been trying to provide you with context for that sentence. I ask the question "What might a person hear in response to that" and that's how I devise my sentences. Be assured that the first one has actually happened many times.

You might use "I was hoping...." to say that you wanted something to happen, but it didn't. (You were disappointed.) If you want to get somebody to do something you would be better off using something else.