Where Does Hopefully Come from?
From Hopeful + -Ly. (Cf. German Hoffentlich It Is to Be Hoped.) Is Hopefully Correct English? Hopefully Means “In a Hopeful Manner. ” We Looked Hopefully to...
From hopeful + -ly. (Cf. German hoffentlich it is to be hoped.)
Is hopefully correct English?
Hopefully means “in a hopeful manner.” We looked hopefully to the future. Some usage experts object to the use of hopefully as a sentence adverb, apparently on grounds of clarity. To be safe, avoid using hopefully in sentences such as the following: Hopefully, your son will recover soon.
Why is hopefully wrong?
Hopefully is an adverb which means what it ought to [italics mine]–“full of hope” or “characterized by hope.” It normally modifies verbs. Nonstandard English sometimes substitutes the word hopefully for I hope (or some other subject with the verb hope). Incorrect: Hopefully, they will come in time.