Why “I Hope You Would Come” Is Wrong on TOEIC

Some English expressions feel polite or logical — but TOEIC still marks them wrong.

One common place this happens is when we talk about wishing, hoping, or regretting something.

Take a look at this example:

❌ I hope you would come to the event.
✅ I hope you can come to the event.
✅ I hope you join us tomorrow.

The first one sounds okay in conversation — but it’s wrong on TOEIC.
Let’s see why.

The TOEIC Logic: Real vs. Not Real

TOEIC expects you to be precise with meaning.

  • “Hope” is for things that are real and possible.

  • “Wish” is for things that are not true.

  • “Regret” is for things that already happened — and can’t change.

Here’s how it works:

✅ “Hope” = Real Possibility (Now / Future)

  • I hope she gets the job.

  • We hope you enjoy the seminar.

  • I hope he arrives on time.

TOEIC likes this when you talk about real plans or outcomes.
Use present verbs — not “would.”

✅ “Wish” = Not True / Not Possible (Now or Past)

  • I wish I had more time.

  • She wishes she spoke French.

  • I wish I had known about the meeting. ← TOEIC loves this pattern

Use wish to show something is missing or too late.

✅ “Regret” = Past Mistakes or Formal Apology

  • I regret to inform you that your application was not accepted.

  • He regrets not applying earlier.

  • We regret the delay in shipping.

In TOEIC, “I regret to inform” is often used in formal business emails.

Common TOEIC Traps

Watch out for these:

❌ I hope he would attend.
✅ I hope he attends.

❌ I wish I know the answer.
✅ I wish I knew the answer.

❌ I regret informing you of the delay.
✅ I regret to inform you of the delay.

Each one feels close — but is still wrong.

TOEIC-Style Questions

1.
I hope the manager ___ the updated document by noon.

(A) would send
(B) sends
(C) sending
(D) sent

✅ Correct answer: (B) — “Hope” needs a present form, not “would.”

2.
I wish I ___ more confident during the interview.

(A) am
(B) will be
(C) was
(D) had

✅ Correct answer: (C) — Use “was” for something you wanted but didn’t feel.

3.
We regret ___ that your request has been declined.

(A) inform
(B) informing
(C) to inform
(D) informed

✅ Correct answer: (C) — TOEIC uses “regret to inform” in formal notices.

Final Tip

If you’re unsure which to use:

  • Use “hope” when something can still happen

  • Use “wish” when it’s too late or not possible

  • Use “regret” when you’re talking about the past or writing formally

✅ I hope you get the job.
✅ I wish I had prepared more.
✅ I regret to inform you…

FAQ – English (with answers) Q: Why is “I hope you would come” wrong? A: TOEIC expects “I hope you can come” or “I hope you come.” “Would” means it’s not likely — so it sounds strange with “hope.” Q: Can I say “I hope he will attend the meeting”? A: Yes. It’s okay. But “I hope he attends the meeting” is more common and sounds more natural on TOEIC. Q: When do I use “hope” and not “wish”? A: Use “hope” when it’s still possible. Use “wish” when it’s too late or not true. Q: Why is “I wish I know” wrong? A: TOEIC wants “I wish I knew.” “Wish” is for something that’s not true now. Q: What does “I wish I had known” mean? A: It means you didn’t know before — and you feel sorry or regret it now. TOEIC uses this to test past situations. Q: I wrote “I regret informing you” — is that wrong? A: For TOEIC, the correct phrase is “I regret to inform you…” It’s more formal and more common in business emails. Q: Can I say “I hope she would come”? A: No. TOEIC expects “I hope she comes” or “I hope she can come.” “Would come” doesn’t fit with “hope.” Q: Why does TOEIC use “regret to inform”? A: Because it’s a polite, formal way to give bad news. It’s common in business writing. Q: What’s the difference between “I wish I knew” and “I hope I know”? A: “I wish I knew” means you don’t know. “I hope I know” doesn’t make sense — you either know or you don’t. Q: Is “I wish I was there” okay on TOEIC? A: Yes. It shows you are not there, but you want to be. “I wish I were there” is also okay, but “was” is more common in modern usage. Q: Can I say “I regret that I didn’t join” on the test? A: Yes. TOEIC accepts that. You can also say “I regret not joining.” Q: Is “hope” more formal than “wish”? A: No. “Hope” is used for real things. “Wish” sounds more emotional or regretful. Both are used in formal and casual English — depending on the meaning. Q: What’s wrong with “I wish I can speak English”? A: TOEIC wants “I wish I could speak English.” “Wish” is for something that isn’t real — so use “could,” not “can.” Q: Does “I hope it will happen” work on TOEIC? A: Yes. But “I hope it happens” is shorter and often more natural. Q: I wrote “I hope she would respond.” Is that okay? A: TOEIC expects “I hope she responds.” “Would” feels too uncertain here. Q: Why does TOEIC test hope/wish so much? A: Because they’re common in business communication — especially when expressing goals, feelings, or regrets. Q: Is “I regret saying that” correct? A: Yes. It shows you feel sorry for something you already did. Q: What’s the best way to remember the difference between “hope” and “wish”? A: “Hope” = still possible. “Wish” = not true or too late. Q: Can I use “regret” in speaking too, or only in writing? A: Yes, you can use it in both. But TOEIC usually tests it in writing — like emails or announcements. Q: How can I avoid mistakes with “wish” and “hope”? A: Think: Is this real or not real? If real = use “hope.” If not real or too late = use “wish.”