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    Learn English > English lessons and exercises > English test #123253: Short answers: I hope so - I hope not
    > Other English exercises on the same topics: Idioms | Opinions | Question Tags [Change theme]
    > Similar tests: - Give your opinion - Agreement Tags - Wishes - Question tags - Imperative mode and its tags. - Feelings - Question Tags - Vocabulary: Truth and falsehood
    > Double-click on words you don't understand


    Short answers: I hope so - I hope not


    Today, we're going to study a construction which is quite similar to a French one. They're very common, and therefore useful... especially in conversation. The listener is reacting to a part of what the speaker said, very briefly and expressing a personal opinion, such as: "I hope so!", "I suppose not!", "I'm afraid so!  These are "tags", very short and snappy answers, expressing spontaneous opinions.  

     

     

     

    After verbs expressing: an opinion : to think, to believe, to doubt, to hope, to say, to tell

                                          a supposition : to suppose, to expect, to assume, to guess

                                          and the expression : I'm afraid = I'm sorry to tell you  (=  a polite way to introduire a negative information.)

     This construction is IMPOSSIBLE after the verbs: to know/ to see, to remember. 

    Is your friend going to stay here a whole week? 

    The expected complete answer  would be: Yes, I suppose he's going to stay for a whole week. / No, I hope he's not going to stay for a whole week , which is much too long, and is never heard...  😀

    In fact, it's possible to shorten the answer - which then becomes more natural - in:  

    Is your friend going to stay here a whole week? Yes, I suppose he is. / No, I hope he isn't. and more reduced still (and more idiomatic) with: 

                                                                                Yes, I suppose so / No, I hope not. 

    These are the constructions which are expected in this lesson: 

                                                            

     

       In the negative form, you must always use: 

    - I hope not // I'm afraid not // and: I don't think so. You can say: I suppose not  or I don't suppose so

    - Do you think it's going to rain? I hope not (and not: * I don't hope so)

     

                                                                   

     

    In the negative form, two constructions are possible with to think, to believe, to suppose, to expect: 

    - I don't think so, I don't suppose so (everyday English)= I think not, I suppose not ( more formal language and stronger negation). 

    To tell et to say are more often used with the first construction. To hope and the expression I'm afraid can only be built with the second construction, with "not".

    - Are they coming? I hope not (= I hope they aren't.)

     

    There you are! Ready for the test! For this exercise, you'll have to type the answers on your keyboards... I give you the FORCE! 

     

     



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    English exercise "Short answers: I hope so - I hope not" created by here4u with The test builder. [More lessons & exercises from here4u]
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    Whether the answer is positive or negative, the subject is always 'I'.(Do not repeat 'Yes' or 'No')

    1. I won't be able to lift this case alone. Is Tommy going to help me? ![Yes - to suppose]

    2. 'Is there a pub in the village?' ' ' [Yes - to think]

    3. 'Will he end his life in prison?' ' ' [No - to hope ]

    4. 'Will the weather be fine tomorrow?' ' ' [Yes - to hope]

    5. 'You can’t buy that. Your Mum will say it’s too expensive. ' ' '[Yes - I’m afraid]

    6. 'Did Mary see Lizzy kiss her boyfriend during the party?' ' ' [No - to hope]

    7. 'Is your husband’s French perfect?' ' ...' [No- I’m afraid]

    8. 'Do you sometimes make mistakes?' ' ...' [Yes- I’m afraid]

    9. 'Do you think she’ll marry him anyway?' ' ' [No - to suppose]

    10. 'Did your friend enjoy the film?' ' ' [Yes - to think]










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