hopefully not

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.

Huffington Post

Hopefully, not too bad".

The New York Times - Sports

"Hopefully not too long.

Independent

Hopefully not, though.

The Guardian - Sport

"Although hopefully not flaky".

The New Yorker

"Hopefully not," says Bridget.

The Guardian - Business

Hopefully not Trump.

The Guardian

Hopefully not too often".

The New York Times - Sports

"Hopefully not," Gomez said.

The New York Times - Sports

Hopefully, not anytime soon".

The New York Times - Sports

Hopefully not too many mistakes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hopefully not" to express a desire or expectation that something will not happen, adding a touch of optimism to the negation. It's suitable for situations where you want to convey a sense of hope while acknowledging a potential negative outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "hopefully not" in ways that could create ambiguity. Ensure it clearly modifies the intended verb or action to prevent misinterpretations. For example, instead of saying "Hopefully not, the project will fail", clarify as "The project will hopefully not fail."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hopefully not" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies the entire sentence or clause. It expresses a hope or wish that a particular event will not occur. As Ludwig AI states, it conveys a sentiment of uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hopefully not" functions as an adverbial phrase, expressing a wish or expectation that something will not happen. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability for expressing uncertainty. It is very common in News & Media sources and maintains a neutral to informal register. While widely accepted, ensure clarity in its placement to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "I hope not" or "let's hope not" can offer similar sentiments with slight variations in formality. Using "hopefully not" adds a touch of optimism while acknowledging a potential negative outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I hope it doesn't

Shifts from an adverbial modifier to a direct expression of hope, making the sentence more personal and conversational.

let's hope not

Introduces a sense of shared hope or desire, making the statement more inclusive and less assertive.

I'm hoping that's not the case

Expresses a direct and personal hope that a particular situation or outcome will not occur, adding a conversational tone.

I hope that isn't the case

Rephrases the sentiment to focus on the situation or outcome, rather than the manner of hoping.

it is hoped that not

Replaces "hopefully" with a more formal expression, emphasizing the wish or desire that something will not happen.

it's hoped not

Shortened version of "it is hoped that not", slightly less formal but maintains a similar tone.

one hopes not

A more detached and somewhat formal way of expressing a wish that something will not happen.

it is to be hoped that not

A more emphatic and formal version of expressing a desire for something not to occur.

with the hope that not

Emphasizes the active wishing or hoping that something does not occur.

fingers crossed it doesn't

Adds a visual and informal element to the expression of hope, suggesting a superstitious desire for a negative outcome to be avoided.

FAQs

How can I use "hopefully not" in a sentence?

You can use "hopefully not" to express a desire that something will not happen. For example, "I applied for the job, and "hopefully not", I'll get it."

What phrases are similar to "hopefully not"?

Similar phrases include "I hope not", "let's hope not", or "it is hoped that not". These alternatives convey a similar sentiment of wishing something doesn't occur.

Is it grammatically correct to use "hopefully" as a sentence adverb?

While some grammarians have historically objected, the use of "hopefully" as a sentence adverb (modifying the entire sentence rather than a specific verb) is now widely accepted and common in both speech and writing, as also stated by Ludwig AI.

When should I avoid using "hopefully not"?

Avoid using "hopefully not" in highly formal or technical writing where precision and objectivity are paramount. In such contexts, consider using more formal alternatives or restructuring the sentence to eliminate any potential ambiguity.