but hopefully

USAGE SUMMARY

"but hopefully" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the idea that you hope something will be true or happen, despite the fact that it might not be likely. For example: "School is starting soon, but hopefully I'll still have some time to relax this summer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"But hopefully, disaster avoided".

The New York Times

But hopefully the former.

The Guardian - Tech

"But hopefully it never stops.

The New York Times - Sports

But hopefully less.

The New Yorker

But, hopefully, he will stay".

The New York Times - Sports

But hopefully that won't happen".

The New York Times

But hopefully, you'll adjust fine.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It's real but hopefully not".

The Guardian - Sport

But hopefully in my lifetime.

The Guardian - Sport

But hopefully, it won't be.

The Guardian

But hopefully something will be born again".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but hopefully" to introduce a desired outcome that contrasts with a preceding statement. It softens the contrast and expresses a sense of optimism.

Common error

Avoid using "but hopefully" excessively in a single piece of writing. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful. Vary your expressions to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but hopefully" functions as a conjunction phrase, connecting two contrasting ideas while expressing a sense of optimism or desire for a positive outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. Examples show its use in both formal and informal contexts to introduce a desired result.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but hopefully" is a commonly used conjunction phrase that connects contrasting ideas while expressing a desire for a positive outcome. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and versatile, appearing in both formal and informal contexts. This phrase is frequently found in news and media, academic writing, and scientific publications. When using "but hopefully", ensure it softens the contrast and provides a sense of optimism without overuse. Alternatives like "yet optimistically" and "however encouragingly" can add variety to your writing. Be mindful of overusing the phrase to maintain the impact and clarity of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet optimistically

Replaces "hopefully" with "optimistically" to convey a sense of optimism despite a preceding contrast.

though expectantly

Combines "though" as a contrasting conjunction with "expectantly" to convey a sense of hope and anticipation.

however encouragingly

Substitutes "but" with "however" and "hopefully" with "encouragingly", offering a slightly more formal tone.

still with expectation

Using "still" to indicate contrast and replacing "hopefully" with "with expectation" to highlight anticipation of a positive outcome.

conversely with optimism

Substitutes "but" with "conversely" to show contrast, and "hopefully" with "with optimism" to underline a positive outlook.

on the other hand, positively

Replaces "but" with "on the other hand" to signify contrast, and "hopefully" with "positively" to express a confident expectation.

nonetheless with anticipation

Replaces "but" with "nonetheless" to indicate contrast and "hopefully" with "with anticipation" to emphasize expectation.

in contrast, favorably

Uses "in contrast" to explicitly show opposition and replaces "hopefully" with "favorably" to imply a positive outcome.

even so, auspiciously

Replaces "but" with "even so" for emphasis, and "hopefully" with "auspiciously" for a more formal tone indicating favorable circumstances.

yet sanguinely

Replaces "but" with "yet" and substitutes "hopefully" with "sanguinely" for a more literary way to express optimism.

FAQs

How can I use "but hopefully" in a sentence?

Use "but hopefully" to connect two contrasting ideas, expressing a desire for a positive outcome despite the contrast. For example, "The project is behind schedule, but hopefully, we can catch up."

What are some alternatives to "but hopefully"?

You can use alternatives such as "yet optimistically", "however encouragingly", or "still with expectation" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "but hopefully"?

While grammatically acceptable, starting a sentence with "but hopefully" can sometimes sound informal. It's generally better to use it within a sentence to connect contrasting ideas.

What's the difference between "but hopefully" and "I hope that"?

"But hopefully" is used to introduce a desired outcome that contrasts with a previous statement. "I hope that" is a more direct expression of hope without necessarily implying a contrast. For example, you might say, "The weather is bad, but hopefully, it will improve", versus "I hope that the weather improves".