As a new year approaches, it feels only natural to pause and look back on the past 12 months—to reflect on what has unfolded, to appreciate the lessons learned along the way, and to acknowledge how far we’ve come. At the same time, the turning of the year invites us to look ahead, to imagine what we hope the months to come will bring, and to put those hopes into words.

In this post, we’ll explore a selection of useful grammar patterns for expressing wishes, along with some vivid and expressive vocabulary to enrich them. As you prepare to wish your loved ones—and yourself—a happy New Year in the days ahead, we hope this guide will help you find exactly the right words in English to articulate the possibilities, ambitions, and joys you’d like to see take shape.

Grammar

Grammar Pattern	Examples
May + subject + base verb (the most classic and slightly formal structure)	May your efforts be rewarded. May all your plans come together.
(I) hope + clause** (a neutral, very common structure, slightly less formal than may)	I hope the new year brings you clarity and growth. Hope this year turns out to be everything you want it to be.
Wishing (someone) + noun phrase / clause (The subject “I am” is implied and omitted.) I wish… (generally more formal or neutral in tone than “wishing you…”)	Wishing you strength to overcome challenges. Wishing you confidence to chase your goals and strength to achieve them. I wish you continued success in the coming year.
Cheers to + noun / -ing form (informal structure)*	Cheers to new beginnings. Cheers to chasing big goals.
Here’s to + noun / -ing form (❗strongly toast-like, spoken)	Here’s to making bold choices. Here’s to a brighter year ahead.
Let + noun phrase + verb (informal to semi-formal English)	Let this year be the one where your dreams take shape.

* “Cheers to + someone” is grammatical and idiomatic, but it is used in a very specific context. It typically occurs in spoken English, especially when celebrating, honoring, or congratulating a person. In New Year wishes, however, “Cheers to you” on its own can sound incomplete and more like a toast than a wish. This is why the pattern outlined above (cheers to + something / doing something) is much more common in New Year wishes, especially written ones.

**“Hope + clause” is often followed by a present simple with future meaning. That’s the default pattern in New Year wishes. Using will after hope is grammatical (e.g. I hope the new year will bring you success), but it carries extra meaning. It adds a slightly stronger, more deliberate tone and may sound more emotional and less neutral than a present simple.

Vocabulary

Now that we’ve outlined the most common patterns for making wishes, it’s time to bring them to life with warm and thoughtful words. You may have already noticed some of such words and phrases in the example sentences above. Let’s organize them into a list and add a few more to the mix.

1. to reward efforts (May your efforts be rewarded.)
2. (of plans) to come together (May all your plans come together.)
3. to overcome (overcame; overcome) challenges (Wishing you strength to overcome challenges.)
4. to chase a goal (Wishing you confidence to chase your goals and strength to achieve them.)
5. to make a bold choice (Here’s to making bold choices.)
6. (of a dream) to take shape (Let this year be the one where your dreams take shape.)

Additional Phrases

1. to reach new milestones: Wishing you the courage and focus to reach new milestones in all your endeavors.
2. to turn plans into reality: May you turn your plans into reality and see your efforts rewarded.
3. to fulfill your potential: May the new year help you fulfill your potential and achieve everything you dream of.
4. to embrace an opportunity: May you embrace new opportunities and achieve your ambitions this year.
5. to pursue a dream: Cheers to pursuing your dreams and celebrating accomplishments!
6. to move closer to your ambitions: May the coming year help you move closer to your ambitions and achieve every goal you set.
7. to aim higher: Wishing you a year full of ambition and the determination to aim higher in all you do.
8. to reach for the stars: May you reach for the stars and make your dreams a reality.
9. to reach new heights: Here’s to aiming higher and reaching new heights in the coming year!
10. to realize your vision: Wishing you the inspiration and focus to realize your vision and achieve your goals.
11. hard-earned success: Here’s to a year filled with hard-earned success and personal growth!
12. clean slate: May this year bring you a clean slate, full of new opportunities and fresh beginnings.
13. in the year ahead: May you enjoy good health and boundless energy in the year ahead.
14. in the coming year: Cheers to your well-being and the joy of togetherness in the coming year!
15. looking ahead: Looking ahead, may you embrace a clean slate and fill it with hope, joy, and new adventures.

We wish you a very Happy New Year, dear readers! Thank you for learning English with us. May the year ahead give you a clean slate to explore new discoveries, enjoy exciting adventures, and grow in every way. Here’s to fresh beginnings and endless possibilities! 🎆