but of course

USAGE SUMMARY

"but of course" is a perfectly grammatical and idiomatic way to express agreement, acceptance, or acknowledgement in written English.
For example, "I'm not sure I'd be able to finish this project in time, but of course I'll do my best."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Q: But of course.

The New Yorker

But of course!

The New York Times

But, of course, it won't.

The New York Times

But of course, it's amazing.

The New York Times

But of course she does.

The New York Times - Books

But of course we were.

The Guardian - Music

But of course he isn't.

The New York Times

But of course they'll harmonize.

The New York Times - Arts

But of course it rocked.

The New York Times

But of course we do.

The New Yorker

But of course I would.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but of course" to acknowledge a point while introducing a contrast or qualification. It subtly concedes before adding another layer of information.

Common error

While "but of course" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid relying on it heavily in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and nuanced transitions to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but of course" functions as a discourse marker, often used to concede a point before introducing a contrasting idea or qualification. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it indicates agreement or understanding while setting up a nuanced perspective. Examples in Ludwig show it frequently appearing in news and media contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but of course" is a versatile adverbial phrase that functions as a discourse marker, typically used to concede a point before introducing a contrasting or qualifying statement. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and very common. Its primary context is in News & Media, reflecting a neutral register. While useful for adding nuance to your writing, it's important to avoid overuse in formal contexts. Alternatives like "certainly" or "naturally" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of course

A shorter, more direct version of the original phrase.

naturally

Single word alternative emphasizing inevitability or expectedness.

certainly

Highlights the certainty or sureness of something.

absolutely

Emphasizes complete agreement or affirmation.

indeed

Confirms a previous statement or introduces additional information.

surely

Suggests a confident expectation or belief.

without a doubt

Expresses complete certainty and conviction.

as expected

Highlights that something happened in line with expectations.

it goes without saying

Indicates that something is so obvious it doesn't need to be stated.

obviously

Emphasizes the clear and evident nature of something.

FAQs

How can I use "but of course" in a sentence?

You can use "but of course" to express agreement or acknowledgment before introducing a contrasting point. For example, "I understand the risks, "but of course", the potential rewards are significant."

What are some alternatives to "but of course"?

Alternatives include "naturally", "certainly", or "absolutely", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "but of course" always appropriate to use?

While generally acceptable, "but of course" might be too informal for academic or highly professional contexts. Choose alternatives that better suit the tone.

What's the difference between "but of course" and "of course"?

"Of course" expresses simple agreement or obviousness. "But of course" introduces a contrast or qualification to a previous statement, adding a layer of complexity.