5 FEBRUARY 1977, Page 18

Yours hopefully

Sir: Mr Chatterjee (22 January) asks where is the ambiguity in his saying 'Hopefully, you will publish this letter.' It is not so much ambiguity that he engenders, but a certainty that it is you whom he is describing as hopeful. He has me picturing you anxiously mull ing over whether you should publish, hoping that it won't bring a rain of tomatoes on your head.

'I hope you will publish this letter' is clear English, and has fewer letters. I hope that mine is not one too many about this dislikable misuse.

Daphne Baker Cobhambury House, Cobham, Gravesend, Kent