is of course

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is of course" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to emphasize a fact or statement that is widely accepted or well-known. Example: "It is of course essential to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There is, of course.

Independent

As is, of course.

The New York Times

It is of course awful.

Independent

This is, of course, speculation.

The New York Times

Orban is of course right.

Independent

There is, of course, leather.

The New York Times

It is of course "Brenda".

Independent

Not everyone is, of course.

The New York Times

It still is, of course.

The Economist

This is of course correct.

The Economist

Mrs. Clinton is, of course.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is of course" to gently remind the reader of something they likely already know, creating a sense of shared understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "is of course" too frequently in your writing, as it can make your tone sound condescending or patronizing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is of course" functions as a sentence adverbial. It modifies the entire sentence, expressing the speaker's assumption that the information is already known or understood by the audience. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically correct and used to emphasize widely accepted facts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is of course" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize points already known or understood. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage. While common in news and media, it should be used judiciously to avoid condescension. Consider alternatives like "obviously" or "naturally" for varied emphasis. Be mindful of the context to maintain an appropriate tone, especially avoiding overuse in formal or academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obviously

Highlights the clear and easily perceived nature of a statement.

it goes without saying

Similar to "needless to say", emphasizing the obviousness of the statement.

naturally

Single-word adverb emphasizing inevitability or obviousness, shorter than "is of course".

needless to say

Indicates that the statement is so obvious it almost doesn't need mentioning.

certainly

Indicates a strong degree of confidence and agreement.

without question

Highlights the certainty and indisputability of a statement.

undoubtedly

Emphasizes the lack of doubt or question about a statement.

self-evidently

Indicates that the truth of something is clear from its very nature.

as expected

Suggests the outcome or situation aligns with prior expectations.

surely

Expresses confidence or expectation, sometimes used rhetorically.

FAQs

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

"Is of course" is typically used to emphasize a point that is already known or understood. For example, "It "is of course" important to cite your sources when writing a research paper."

What's a more formal alternative to "is of course"?

For more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "naturally", "obviously", or "it goes without saying". For example, instead of "It "is of course" essential", you might say "It is naturally essential".

Is "of course" always necessary in a sentence?

No, "of course" often adds emphasis but isn't always crucial. Removing it can sometimes make your writing more concise. For instance, "The data "is of course" confidential" can simply be "The data is confidential".

How does "is of course" differ from "obviously"?

"Is of course" and "obviously" are similar, but "is of course" can sometimes imply a shared understanding or agreement, while "obviously" focuses more on the self-evident nature of the statement.