Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

Hopefully not

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE 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

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Content hopefully not intended to kill anyone.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Hopefully, not too bad".

"Hopefully not too long.

News & Media

Independent

Hopefully not, though.

"Although hopefully not flaky".

News & Media

The New Yorker

"Hopefully not," says Bridget.

Hopefully not Trump.

News & Media

The Guardian

Hopefully not too often".

"Hopefully not," Gomez said.

Hopefully, not anytime soon".

Hopefully not too many mistakes.

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

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'.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

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.

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.

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: