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Hopefully

The adverb hopefully means ‘wanting the answer to be yes’:

  • Their father said they were not allowed to have a puppy until they were older but we saw them sitting hopefully outside the pet shop.
  • ‘Could you lend me £20?’ he asked hopefully.

We commonly use hopefully in front position to say what we wish for or would like to happen. It is also sometimes used as a response to questions:

  • Hopefully*, the economic problems in the country will not get any worse.*
  • A: Will they win the match tonight?
  • B: Hopefully.