Comma after “hopefully”: The Definitive Guide

Understanding how and when to use the comma in English could be complicated.

One cause is as a result of there may be not all the time a strict rule about when to use a comma.

Each native and overseas audio system of English wrestle with comma utilization.

Whereas there are occasions while you undoubtedly want a comma and instances while you undoubtedly don’t, some comma utilization is a matter of favor and never grammar.

Totally different industries or publications have their very own guidelines about when to use these non-compulsory commas.
 

Do you want a comma after “hopefully”?

“Hopefully” wants to be adopted by a comma when it comes initially of a sentence as an adverb or a sentence adverb.

It doesn’t want to be adopted by a comma if it begins a sentence as a part of a fronted adverbial, and it not often wants to be adopted by a comma whether it is used as an adverb anyplace else within the sentence.

The exception is whether it is used in a roundabout way that requires a comma of any kind of phrase, akin to a part of an inventory of three or extra issues.
 

“Hopefully”: Common adverb or sentence adverb?

There are two methods to use “hopefully.”
 

”Hopefully” as an adverb

The first approach is to describe somebody performing an motion in a hopeful approach.

On this definition, “hopefully” is an adverb, meaning that it modifies a verb, or provides you extra details about an motion that’s carried out.

Right here is an instance:

She smiled hopefully at her trainer.

As you possibly can see, you do not want a comma when “hopefully” is used on this approach.

There’s a technique wherein “hopefully” wants a comma when used an adverb in the midst of a sentence.

You could already know that you simply want to use a comma to separate three or extra phrases in an inventory. For instance:

He selected the colours crimson, blue, and inexperienced.

(Observe that in an inventory like this one, the ultimate comma after the second to final merchandise within the checklist, earlier than “and,” is non-compulsory!)

It might be unusual to string collectively a sequence of adverbs on this approach, however you would possibly do it for a barely humorous impact.

He ran towards the pile of cash hopefully, rapidly, and desperately.
 

“Hopefully” as a sentence adverb

The second approach hopefully is used is to mean “I hope.” On this definition, “hopefully” is called a sentence adverb.

Whereas common adverbs simply modify one verb, a sentence adverb modifies the sentence or phrase that follows it. For instance, you would possibly say:

Hopefully, I did nicely on that take a look at.

Whereas “hopefully” used on this approach mostly comes initially of a sentence, it would seem between the topic and the verb as nicely. You do not want to observe it with a comma if that is so:

I hopefully did nicely on that take a look at.

This second meaning is a more recent one.

In truth, some folks who’re very fussy about language would possibly inform you that “hopefully” used on this approach is inaccurate though only a few folks suppose this any longer.

The reality is that that is how the English language evolves.

There’s not an official physique or regulator that determines whether or not a phrase could be a part of the English language.

Virtually everybody makes use of “hopefully” in each of the above methods in English now, so most dictionaries take into account it a normal a part of the English language.

Most individuals now would most likely be unaware that there might be something controversial about “hopefully” used on this approach.
 

Extra on beginning a sentence with “hopefully”

Normally, while you see “hopefully” initially of a sentence, it’s a sentence adverb. Nonetheless, it will also be used as an adverb.
 

Discover the context of “hopefully” in the beginning of a sentence

You may normally inform from context whether or not “hopefully” is getting used to mean “I hope” or to describe doing a factor in a hopeful approach:

As quickly as class was over, Janet ran to the auditorium. Hopefully, she scanned the checklist of individuals chosen for the college play.

Whereas this might mean “I hope she regarded on the checklist” or “She regarded on the checklist in a hopeful approach,” it appears apparent from context that it has the second meaning, as an adverb.

It wants to be adopted by a comma.
 

When “hopefully” begins a sentence and a comma isn’t wanted

Right here’s an instance of a sentence beginning with “hopefully” when it’s not adopted by a comma:

As quickly as class was over, Janet ran to the auditorium. Hopefully scanning the checklist, she was delighted to see her name on it.

On this instance, the phrase “hopefully” is a part of a fronted adverbial, meaning a phrase initially of a sentence that modifies the remainder of the sentence.

It might assist to discover {that a} fronted adverbial acts identical to a sentence adverb but it surely simply has extra phrases in it.

Identical to a comma follows “hopefully” when it’s used as a sentence adverb, a comma follows the complete fronted adverbial that begins with “hopefully”—and never the phrase “hopefully” itself.