7. STOP MISUSING "HOPEFULLY"

What does the word "hopefully" mean to you? If you answered that it means "It is to be hoped," you are dead wrong. "Hopefully" is an adverb which describes the manner of someone who is hopeful. For example: "When he heard the zipper opening, Antoine looked around hopefully." It is incorrect to begin sentences with "hopefully" and then state something that you hope. For example: "Hopefully, people won't think I'm a goof even though I keep making this stupid error." Don't do that. Instead, say "I am hopeful that," "I hope that," or even "It is to be hoped." We're not kidding. You really have to stop.

Don't you feel smarter already?