You're disencouraged to say "I don't hope so" instead of "I hope not", but what about "I wouldn't/shouldn't hope so" ?
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Saying that you 'don't hope' or 'wouldn't hope' that something happens could imply that you are indifferent to the outcome. Saying that you hope it doesn't happen is a much stronger statement. – Kate Bunting Aug 13 '21 at 08:46
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Yes, you can use "I wouldn't hope so," but that has a different emphasis. It is more formal and it can make you sound stuffy or elitist -- at least in AmE. Why do you find "I hope not" to be not enough? – FeliniusRex - gone Aug 13 '21 at 20:10