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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
Hopefully not
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
"hopefully not" is a correct and usable expression in written English
It can be used to express a sentiment of uncertainty or as a way to make a request with politeness. Example sentence: "I hope the weather won't be too cold tomorrow, hopefully not."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
59 human-written examples
Content hopefully not intended to kill anyone.
News & Media
Hopefully, not too bad".
News & Media
"Hopefully not too long.
News & Media
Hopefully not, though.
News & Media
"Although hopefully not flaky".
News & Media
"Hopefully not," says Bridget.
News & Media
Hopefully not Trump.
News & Media
Hopefully not too often".
News & Media
"Hopefully not," Gomez said.
News & Media
Hopefully, not anytime soon".
News & Media
Hopefully not too many mistakes.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
✓ Best practice
Avoid overuse in very formal writing; consider alternatives like "it is to be hoped that..." for a more sophisticated tone.
⚠ Common error
Be mindful of sentence structure to avoid ambiguity. Ensure that "hopefully" clearly modifies the intended verb or situation, not the speaker. For example, instead of 'Hopefully, the meeting won't be long', consider 'The meeting, I hope, won't be long'.
Linguistic Context
The phrase "hopefully not" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase modifying an implied verb. It expresses a wish or expectation that something will not occur. As seen in the examples provided by Ludwig, it's often used as a concise response to a question or statement.
Expression frequency: Very common
✓ Frequent in
News & Media
100%
⚠ Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Science
0%
Academia
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "hopefully not" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express the desire that something undesirable will not occur. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a versatile expression suitable for various contexts, although slightly less common in highly formal writing. Its frequent use in news and media indicates its broad acceptability. While often used as a standalone response, pay attention to context to avoid potential ambiguity in more complex sentences.
Alternative expressions
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
I hope not
Shorter, more direct expression of the same sentiment. Less formal.
I would hope not
Adds a degree of tentativeness or politeness to the expression.
It is to be hoped not
More formal and less common way of expressing the same sentiment.
One can only hope not
Expresses a wish while acknowledging uncertainty.
Let's hope not
Suggests a shared desire or expectation.
I trust not
More formal and indicates a level of confidence that something will not happen.
More alternative expressions(6)
FAQs
How can I use "hopefully not" in a sentence?
You can use "hopefully not" to express a wish that something undesirable will not happen. For example, "Will the project be delayed again? Hopefully not."
What are some alternatives to saying "hopefully not"?
Alternatives include phrases like "I hope not", "I would hope not", or "let's hope not", depending on the context and level of formality.
Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with 'hopefully'?
While starting a sentence with "hopefully" is common, some grammarians prefer that "hopefully" modify a specific verb rather than the entire sentence. In those cases consider rewording the sentence to avoid any ambiguity.
What is the difference between "hopefully not" and "probably not"?
"Hopefully not" expresses a desire or wish that something will not happen, while "probably not" indicates a likelihood or probability. The former expresses a hope, the latter expresses an opinion.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested