Curmudgeons' Corner

Guestmudgeon Mary Ozee gets dermatitis because...

I’ve noticed that people are beginning to use the words thankfully and luckily as introductory elements, much as they do hopefully. Improper use of these adverbs makes me break out in a rash. When in doubt about standard constructions, recast the sentence!

Examples: “Thankfully, the police arrived just as the gunman left the convenience store.” “Hopefully, we’ll have better weather.” “Luckily, the doctor’s office was open.”

Corrections: We were all thankful when the police arrived just as the gunman left the convenience store.” “I hope we’ll have better weather.” “We were lucky the doctor’s office was open.”

Adverbs used in that manner, known as sentence adverbs,  have long irked curmudgeons.  The Encarta College Dictionary sides with you on the usage in this matter, Mary.

Is there something you read or hear that sends you up the wall?

Do tell us. 

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