line of course

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'line of course' is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used in a similar way to the phrase 'of course.' For example: "I'll be there, line of course!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The defensive line, of course.

The New York Times - Sports

The dividing line, of course, is food.

The New York Times - Travel

The story line, of course, is not.

The New York Times

The bottom line, of course, is keeping the customers happy.

The New York Times

Among those toeing the line, of course, were the police.

The Guardian - Opinion

There will be a hot line, of course.

The New York Times

The punch line, of course, is that they actually do.

The New York Times

The punch line, of course, is that he was given no trouble, and welcomed to vote.

The New Yorker

The official line, of course, was that art in the United States was beyond politics.

The New Yorker

Moving off line, of course, is a suburban tradition and a national trend.

The New York Times

The couple danced to their wedding song (Mr. Rafferty's "Right Down the Line," of course).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "line of course" to add a touch of casual emphasis to statements that are already self-evident or widely accepted. It works well in informal contexts and can help maintain a conversational tone.

Common error

While "line of course" is acceptable in many situations, avoid using it excessively in formal writing or presentations. In these contexts, opt for more formal alternatives such as "certainly" or "undoubtedly" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "line of course" functions as an interjection or adverbial phrase, adding emphasis and conveying that the statement is self-evident or should be obvious to the listener or reader. This is aligned with what Ludwig AI suggests, adding that it's similar to saying "of course".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

15%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "line of course" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that conveys obviousness or expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions similarly to "of course" but can add a touch of emphasis, and it is most prevalent in News & Media contexts. While generally acceptable, it's best to avoid overuse in strictly formal settings. Alternatives like "obviously" or "naturally" can be used depending on the desired level of formality. With a high expert rating and strong source quality, "line of course" is a reliable and versatile addition to your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of course

The most direct synonym, indicating something is obvious or to be expected. "Line" is added for emphasis.

naturally

Emphasizes inevitability or predictability but is less conversational than "line of course".

as expected

Highlights that something happened according to expectations but lacks the casual tone of "line of course".

obviously

Indicates that something is easily perceived or understood but can sometimes sound assertive or dismissive.

certainly

Expresses confidence and conviction, but is more formal than "line of course".

undoubtedly

Highlights the certainty of the statement but is slightly more formal in tone.

without question

Stresses the certainty of something but has a stronger emphasis than "line of course".

surely

Suggests that something is almost certain to be true or to happen but can also express doubt.

needless to say

Introduces information that is considered so obvious it doesn't need stating, but is more verbose than "line of course".

it goes without saying

Similar to 'needless to say', implying that something is so obvious it doesn't require explanation.

FAQs

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

The phrase "line of course" is typically used to emphasize something that is obvious or expected. For example, "The bottom "line of course" is how all this is viewed by college admissions officials."

What does "line of course" mean?

It means "of course", but the addition of "line" makes the phrase a bit more emphatic or conversational.

What are some alternatives to using "line of course"?

You can use alternatives like "naturally", "obviously", or simply "of course" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "line of course"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in informal and conversational settings. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable.