hopefully another time

USAGE SUMMARY

"hopefully another time" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a polite way of saying that you cannot do something right now, but you would like the opportunity to do it at a different time. For example, you could say "I'm sorry, I can't make it to your party this weekend. Hopefully another time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The Tech 3 Yamaha rider said: "I knew the others would come at the end and unfortunately I didn't get the pole position - hopefully another time".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Hopefully without my illness, another time I might get a chance to play some more games".

BBC

I know they ran off a 15-game streak, but the Braves hopefully can't do that another time or two".

The New York Times - Sports

Now, I'd imagine that even if PA 72 is properly ruled as repealed if PA 4 is (it was repealed when PA 4 was passed), that the state legislature will still pass another law and hopefully this time they'll stay within the limits of the constitution.

Huffington Post

There will be another budget vote and hopefully this time involving adults only.

The New York Times

I'll try again in another two years and hopefully this time I will make it.  .

Los Angeles Times

It's an exhausting process of booking appointments, waiting, hopefully receiving time off work, and traveling to another province to stay there overnight.

Vice

And hopefully, through time, that will come.

Independent

Hopefully next time will be different.

The Economist

"Hopefully, in time, the pain will lessen".

The New York Times

But hopefully next time," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hopefully another time" when you want to politely decline an invitation or opportunity while expressing a desire to participate in the future. For example, "I can't make it to the meeting today, but hopefully another time."

Common error

Avoid using "hopefully" to modify a subject directly. For example, instead of saying "Hopefully, I will win", say "I hope I will win" or "It is hoped that I will win". "Hopefully" should modify the verb, indicating the manner in which something is done or viewed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hopefully another time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying an implied verb such as "meet" or "participate". It is used to express a desire or wish for a future opportunity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a polite way to express intent for future engagement.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hopefully another time" is a grammatically sound phrase used to politely defer an opportunity while expressing a desire for future engagement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and meaning. While relatively infrequent, it's primarily found in news and media contexts, as illustrated by the example from BBC. When using this phrase, ensure that it appropriately modifies the implied verb and reflects a genuine interest in future participation. Alternatives like "I hope for another chance" or "maybe next time" can be considered for slight variations in tone or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i hope for another chance

Expresses a direct desire for a future opportunity, replacing "hopefully" with "I hope for" and restructuring the sentence.

i look forward to a future opportunity

Conveys anticipation for a future event, focusing on eagerness rather than simple hope.

perhaps in the future

Indicates a possibility at a later point, reducing the sense of definite hope.

maybe next time

A common and concise way to express a desire for a different outcome in a subsequent attempt, with a shift from expressing hope to simply indicating possibility.

i'm hoping for a second shot

Uses more informal language ("shot") to convey the desire for another attempt or opportunity.

with any luck, another occasion will arise

Emphasizes the role of luck in creating a future opportunity, adding a conditional element.

god willing, a future opportunity will present itself

Introduces a religious element, expressing hope through divine intervention.

circumstances permitting, we'll meet again

Expresses a conditional hope for a future meeting, emphasizing external factors.

fate willing, there'll be another chance

Invokes fate as a factor in determining a future opportunity, similar to the "God willing" example but less religious.

in due course, hopefully

Adds a sense of eventual timing while maintaining the element of hope, implying patience.

FAQs

How can I use "hopefully another time" in a sentence?

Use "hopefully another time" to express a polite desire for a future opportunity when declining a present one. For example, "I'm unable to attend the event this evening, but hopefully another time".

What is a more formal alternative to "hopefully another time"?

A more formal alternative would be "I anticipate a future opportunity" or "I hope for a more convenient time in the future".

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

While common, starting a sentence with "hopefully" is sometimes debated. Some consider it more correct to use "it is hoped that" or rephrase the sentence to avoid this construction. In the phrase "hopefully another time", it is used adverbially so the position does not influence the correctness.

What's the difference between "maybe another time" and "hopefully another time"?

"Maybe another time" indicates possibility without necessarily expressing desire, while "hopefully another time" conveys a wish or expectation for a future opportunity.