Chris Olson quoted an example from Line by Line: > 'The candidates are hopefully awaiting the election results,' I would say that contrary to the statement from the text, this is exactly the sort of usage that has been made vague by the additional meaning of hopefully. Either meaning works in this sentence, especially when spoken. The candidates are (hopefully) awaiting the election results. (as opposed to some other, less useful activity) The candidates are hopefully awaiting the election results. (in anticipation of their hoped-for results)