Comments on: Hopefully, I can get a ruling.

By: The Grammar Police

The Grammar Police — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 18:18:31 +0000

“There are words that are so stretched out of shape that they aren’t even words anymore – like that impostor irregardless.”

-Woe is I

By: Ron

Ron — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 17:01:20 +0000

Language will evolve — that’s a given. What’s important is that the content is communicated accurately to the audience, irregardless of which words are used.

By: Jason

Jason — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 16:49:12 +0000

This settles it. Never again will I hold back a sentence adverb, in fear of disdain.

I might even break out the jean shorts again.

By: Lucres

Lucres — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 16:39:44 +0000

Now, I’m all for the “its/it’s” and “your/you’re” distinction (I once spotted someone using “your’e”. Some people are beyond help.), but I have to cry Common Use here. Starting a sentence with “hopefully” makes perfect sense in context and causes no ambiguous meanings. So I say change the rule, not the usage.

P.S.: I also think the word “whom” is archaic and should be stricken from the language. Who’s with me?

By: Susan

Susan — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 13:35:46 +0000

James, if you’re going to go down the its/it’s road, you must also travel the their/there/they’re road and the your/you’re road.

By: KJ

KJ — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 13:04:53 +0000

“It’s time to admit that hopefully has joined that class of introductory words (like fortunately, honestly, and others) that we use not to describe our attitude toward the statement that follows.”

So do we or do we not, use the word to describe our attitude? Inquiring minds want to know.

By: James

James — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 12:14:29 +0000

Keep up the good fight! Perhaps you can also help educate the world about the difference between it’s and its. I love reading high-end ads created by people who apparently missed school the day it’s/its were discussed.

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 00:12:48 +0000

Jean shorts aren’t cool? Since when? Hopefully, they’ll come back in style.

I’ll sleep just fine tonight, thank you very much. ;o)

By: Mudi-b

Mudi-b — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 22:44:51 +0000

For another example of this, check out geoffrey pullum’s post “The Sexy British Press” at Language log
http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/~myl/languagelog/archives/003587.html#more

By: Nancy

Nancy — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 21:55:11 +0000

This usage has become very common. Similar words and usage include “tragically,” “sadly,” etc. Sleep well.