This week, I have been thinking about the word 'hopefully'. The other day I was writing it down on a post it note to remind myself that it should only be used as an adjective, because about 9 out of 10 times I see it, it is used as a verb. This bugs me!
I am
always being lazy and saying 'hopefully' when I know I mean to say 'I
hope' or 'It is hoped'. But this week it kept popping up. First at work,
then when I read Jessica's post Words on Grammar. It was then that I decided now was the time to kick bad habits and find a way to start using the word properly. So, I'm writing this post to ingrain it a little more.
Which one is wrong?1. Hopefully, this weekend will be good.2. I hope this weekend will be good.
The first one, because, although it appears to make sense, it actually suggests that the weekend can feel hope, when it can't. The second one is correct because the sentence focuses on how it is you, the speaker who hopes that the weekend will be good.
I'm not perfect at grammar, but it is something I enjoy learning about. No doubt I'll have structured half of the sentences in this post in the wrong way, but it's an ongoing process. I don't think you ever stop learning about language, and that's one of the most fascinating things about it.
Never thought of the word (hopefully) like this. I think in Dutch it's quite the same thing. Should pay attention to that, this definitely makes sense!
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely weekend, Naomi!
Sofie x
Little green Sofie
It's a tricky one which I never really understood until recently!
DeleteThanks Sofie, you too :)
N xo
This one still amazes me because I can't ever remember being told it was incorrect, and everyone around me always says it. I feel like I've been deceived! Bad habits are hard to unlearn but I'm with you on this one - we can do it! P.S. thank you for the little mention :) xxx
ReplyDeleteMe neither! I don't think I learnt much on grammar at school actually. It was always spelling tests...
DeleteAnd it's no problem at all, I really enjoyed your post :)
N xo
I never knew this! I've been saying it incorrectly all this time. And here I was thinking I was some kind of grammar queen! Thank you for enlightening me!!
ReplyDeleteHope you're well, lovely lady! X
Oooh I'm glad to! It's one that isn't addressed very often as everyone everywhere says it, it's sort of become ok to just say it now!
DeleteN xo