Hopefully vs I hope so: Difference and Comparison

Hope is something that an individual has within himself for something to happen. It can involve anything related to any situation or circumstance.

It is something a person wishes for. It may depend on the individual or fate.

People use the term Hopefully, and I hope so to convey their expression.

Key Takeaways

  1. Hopefully is an adverb to express a desired outcome, while “I hope so” is a phrase used to express a personal wish or desire.
  2. Hopefully is misused as a sentence opener, while “I hope so” is complete.
  3. Hopefully is used to sa request or statement, while “I hope so” is a more direct expression of hope.

Hopefully vs I hope so

The difference between Hopefully and I hope so is that Hopefully is an adverb, and I hope so is an idiom. The one common thing is that both these terms are used to express a sense of hope. However, the two are different from one another in various aspects.

Hopefully vs I hope so

Hopefully is a term that is an adverb used in a hopeful manner. Hopefully is used when something is expected in a rather general way.

Whenever a person wishes for something which is left on another person or circumstance, the term hopefully is used. Example: Hopefully, he is not late.

I hope so is an idiom that describes the expression of something a person wants to happen or is expecting to happen. I hope so is used for something in a specific way.

Here the outcome is rather personal and dependent on the individual more than fate. Example: “Will you get it?”- “I hope so.”

Comparison Table

Parameters of ComparisonHopefully I hope so
MeaningHopefully is an adverb used in a hopeful manner. Hope is something a person wants to happen or is expecting to happen.
GrammarIt is an adverb.It is an idiom.
ExpectationIt is used when something is expected in a rather general way.It is used when something is expected in a specific way.
RelationIt is used when things are somewhat left on another person, fate, or circumstances.It is used when things are a desire of the individual and somewhat depends on them too. 
ExampleHopefully, the bus is on time.Do you think he will recover? “I hope so!”

What is Hopefully?

The term hopefully is an adverb that is used at the beginning of a sentence. This is used to express what an individual would want to happen.

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It is used in a hopeful way. During the 1960s, there was a sudden uprise in the use of the word hopefully.

The word has been fairly used since the 1930s. However, it received a surge of criticism in the 1960s.

The sense of hopefully used as “it is hoped” is standard and popularly used.

  • Following are a set of examples of using Hopefully:
  • Hopefully, we’ll figure out something.
  • If he decides to change, hopefully, he will make it.
  • Hopefully, none of our dancers will repeat it.
  • Hopefully, he’ll give us a raise today.
  • Hopefully, the man is coping with everything that’s going on.
  • Then, hopefully, it will be done, and you can collect it.
  • Hopefully, she’ll help organize a session.
  • Hopefully, he’ll stay awake.
  • And hopefully, we can bring some gifts for her.
  • Hopefully, it will be revived.
  • Hopefully, I did something for school, too.
  • And hopefully, it will help my area stay clean.
  • Hopefully, I’ll get some time.
  • But hopefully, we will get called in for an interview on Monday.

What is I hope so? 

I hope so is used for expressing something which a person really desires or wishes for. And in many cases, it depends more on him than fate or other circumstances.

It is used when a person wants something to turn out to be the way he/ she wants. It is also used to express when someone wants a statement to be true.

Following are a few examples of using I hope so in a sentence:

  • I hope so, but the bigger obstacle is not embarrassing myself
  • I hope so because I have worked hard for it.
  • I hope so, though she takes time to get ready.
  • Here the rules are taken seriously, at least, I hope so.
  • I hope so, but I would have to talk to her!
  • I hope so because it was about demeaning someone.
  • For my daughter Lily’s sake, I hope so.
  • Mrs . Sunita: “I hope so .”
  • “I hope so,” she said with a chuckle.
  • The grandmother replies, “I hope so .”
  • I hope so because that would be great.
  • I think so, and I hope so, as an artist.
  • I hope so, but it’s a tough field
  • Not sure if this helps, but I hope so.
  • I hope so because he was really worried.
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Main Differences Between Hopefully and I hope so

  1. Hopefully is an adverb used in a hopeful manner. “I hope so” is something a person wants to happen or is expecting to happen.
  2. Hopefully is an adverb. “I hope so” is an idiom.
  3. Hopefully is used when something is expected in a rather general way. “I hope so” is used when something is expected in a specific way.
  4. Hopefully is used when things are somewhat left to another person, fate, or circumstances. “I hope so” is used when things are a desire of the individual and somewhat dependent on him/ her too. 
  5. Explanation with examples: 
  • Hopefully, the bus will be on time. 
  • Do you think he will recover? I hope so!
Difference Between Hopefully and I hope so
References
  1. https://muse.jhu.edu/article/448886/summary
  2. https://www.jbe-platform.com/content/journals/10.1075/eurosla.2.11lio

Last Updated : 10 July, 2023

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17 thoughts on “Hopefully vs I hope so: Difference and Comparison”

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  7. I hope so is believed to be more personal and is used when something is expected in a specific way. On the other hand, hopefully is used in a more general sense. Hopefully is also misused.

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