not of course

USAGE SUMMARY

'not of course' is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to express uncertainty or to indicate that something is not expected or obvious. For example: - "I'm not of course an expert in this field, but from my experience, I believe this approach might work." - "Not of course everyone will agree with my opinion, but I believe it is worth considering." - "The results, not of course surprising, still managed to shock us all."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Well, not of course.

The New Yorker

They're not, of course.

The New York Times - Arts

He's not, of course.

Forbes

It's not, of course.

The New York Times

It will not, of course.

Independent

It has not, of course.

The Guardian - Opinion

All does not, of course.

The New York Times - Books

But it's not of course.

The New York Times - Arts

They were not, of course.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

It doesn't of course.

The New York Times

(It wasn't, of course).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not of course" to politely introduce a contradiction or correction to a previously stated or implied idea. This softens the impact of disagreement.

Common error

While "not of course" is generally acceptable, excessive use, especially in formal writing, can make your text sound hesitant or uncertain. Opt for more direct negations when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

"Not of course" serves as an adverbial phrase modifying a statement to introduce a contrast or correction. As seen in the examples provided by Ludwig, it is used to politely express that something is not as expected or previously implied. It functions as a qualifier, softening the impact of disagreement or surprise.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not of course" functions as a versatile adverbial phrase to introduce a mild contradiction or clarification. Ludwig's analysis confirms it is grammatically correct and frequently employed in news and media to add a nuanced perspective. The key is to use it judiciously to avoid weakening your overall message. Be mindful of context and explore alternatives like "of course not", "certainly not", or "naturally not" for greater impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of course not

Omits "not of course" and is a direct and standard denial or expression of surprise/disagreement

naturally not

Emphasizes that something is logically expected to be untrue or absent.

undoubtedly not

Stresses that something is unquestionably false or won't happen.

obviously not

Highlights that something should be evident and not the case.

certainly not

Strongly negates an expectation, implying a firm denial.

assuredly not

Provides strong reassurance that something is definitely untrue.

plainly not

Indicates something isn't the case, and it's easy to see.

by no means

Replaces "of course" with a stronger idiom to express negation.

not in the slightest

Emphasizes that something is not true to any degree.

far from it

Indicates the actual situation is the opposite of what was suggested.

FAQs

How can I use "not of course" in a sentence?

The phrase "not of course" is typically inserted to soften a contradiction or to clarify something that might be misunderstood. For instance, you might say, "I'm hoping for a promotion, but "not of course" if it means compromising my values."

What's a more formal way to express the sentiment of "not of course"?

In more formal writing, consider alternatives like "certainly not", "assuredly not", or "by no means" to maintain a professional tone.

Is it ever better to simply use "of course not" instead of "not of course"?

Yes, "of course not" is a more direct and common expression. "Not of course" tends to be used as an insertion within a sentence to gently correct or qualify a statement, while "of course not" is a standalone, clear negation.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when using "not of course"?

Avoid overusing "not of course", as it can dilute your message. Also, ensure it's placed logically within the sentence for the best effect. For example, avoid constructions where it awkwardly interrupts the flow of information.