Thursday, June 04, 2020

Usage Note: Hopefully


As a sentence adverb (modifying an entire sentence or clause, rather than the actual verb), hopefully has been widely criticized.
In formal writing, replace hopefully with an expression such as "I hope that" or "it is to be hoped that."


I hope that we will be able to reach home by evening. - correct
Hopefully, we will be able to reach home by evening. - incorrect

It is to be hoped (or we can only hope) that the ceasefire will last. - correct
Hopefully, the ceasefire will last. - incorrect

Hopefully: an ordinary adverb (modifying the verb)

They waited hopefully for the rain to stop. - correct
He prayed hopefully for the rain. - correct




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