hope so

USAGE SUMMARY

"hope so" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to express optimism and the hope that something will happen, often in response to a question or a comment. For example: Do you think you'll be able to finish the report on time? - I hope so.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I hope so, I hope so.

The New Yorker

I hope so, man.

Independent

Insiders certainly hope so.

The Economist

Yes, I hope so".

Independent

I sure hope so.

The New York Times

I hope so, too.

The New Yorker

The Jets hope so.

The New York Times - Sports

Well, let's hope so.

The New York Times - Books

LH: I hope so.

The New York Times

"I should hope so.

The New Yorker

His supporters hope so.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hope so" when you want to express a simple, affirmative hope or expectation in response to a question or statement. For example, 'Will the project be completed on time?' 'I "hope so"'.

Common error

While "hope so" is perfectly acceptable in casual conversation, avoid relying on it too heavily in formal writing. Opt for more explicit and professional alternatives like "I anticipate that will be the case" to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hope so" functions as a succinct affirmative expression of desire or expectation. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is common and acceptable, serving as a shorthand response in conversations and written text.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hope so" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a wish or expectation that something will happen. According to Ludwig, it functions as a concise affirmative response and is prevalent in news, science, and more informal settings. While highly versatile, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives in professional or business contexts. To elevate your writing, consider related phrases like "I anticipate that's right" or "I "hope that's the case"" depending on the context. Remember that "hope so" is best used for positive expectations, and "hope not" for negative ones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I hope that's the case

More explicit and slightly more formal.

I anticipate that's right

More formal and anticipates a positive outcome.

I'm optimistic about that

Focuses on optimism regarding the situation.

I trust that's true

Emphasizes trust in the statement's veracity.

I'm counting on it

Similar to 'banking on it', but slightly less informal.

I'm banking on it

Informal, implies strong reliance on the outcome.

Let's keep our fingers crossed

Expresses hope in an idiomatic way, implying a degree of uncertainty.

Here's hoping

Expresses a wish for a positive outcome in a concise way.

Fingers crossed

Shorter and more casual version of 'Let's keep our fingers crossed'.

I'm crossing my fingers

Similar to fingers crossed. The focus is on hopefulness

FAQs

How can I use "hope so" in a sentence?

You can use "hope so" as a short, affirmative response to a question or statement expressing a desired outcome. For example: "Do you think we'll get the contract?" "I "hope so"".

What's a more formal way to say "hope so"?

In more formal contexts, you could use phrases like "I anticipate that will be the case", "I trust that is the case", or "I "hope that's the case"".

Is it grammatically correct to use "hope so"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct as a shortened response, implying a fuller sentence like "I hope that is so" or "I hope that will happen".

Can "hope so" be used in negative contexts?

No, "hope so" is generally used to express a positive expectation. To express a negative hope, you would say something like "I hope not" or "I "hope that isn't the case"".