now of course

USAGE SUMMARY

"now of course" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used to precede an explanation or acknowledgment of something that had previously been stated or is widely known. For example, "Now of course, everyone knows that the sun rises in the East and sets in the West."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Until now, of course.

BBC

(Gone now, of course).

The New York Times

"Saddens us now, of course".

The New Yorker

Now, of course, he does.

The New Yorker

It's different now, of course.

The New Yorker

It is now, of course.

Independent

Now, of course, hardly anyone would.

The New Yorker

Which now, of course, we miss.

The New York Times

Now, of course, questions are being asked.

The Economist

Things were different now, of course.

The New York Times - Travel

Not that it mattered now, of course.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "now of course" to smoothly transition between discussing a past situation and its current state, indicating a change or new understanding.

Common error

Avoid starting too many sentences with "now of course", as it can make your writing sound repetitive and less engaging. Vary your sentence structure by using alternative introductory phrases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "now of course" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase. It serves to connect ideas by acknowledging a change in circumstance or understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides examples from reliable sources.

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, "now of course" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate a transition in understanding or a change in circumstances. Ludwig AI analysis reveals its frequent use in news and media contexts, where it serves to connect ideas and acknowledge shifts in perspective. While grammatically correct and widely used, it is important to avoid overuse to maintain writing clarity and engagement. Alternatives such as "naturally" or "obviously" can provide variety. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, though caution should be exercised in highly formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

naturally

Omits "now" for a more concise expression of inevitability or obviousness.

obviously

Focuses on the self-evident nature of the statement, removing the temporal aspect of "now".

as you would expect

Replaces the concise phrase with a more descriptive expression highlighting expectation.

as might be expected

Similar to "as you would expect" but with a slightly more formal tone and implied possibility.

it goes without saying

Emphasizes that the information is so well-known it doesn't need explicit statement.

needless to say

Introduces a statement that is considered obvious or already understood, but is stated for emphasis.

in retrospect

Highlights understanding in hindsight, focusing solely on past reflection.

looking back

Similar to "in retrospect", emphasizing a reflective viewpoint on a past event or situation.

with the benefit of hindsight

More formally expresses the idea of understanding something clearly after it has happened.

in light of recent events

Highlights that the statement is made considering new information or developments.

FAQs

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

Use "now of course" to introduce a statement that contrasts with a previous situation or clarifies a point that is currently understood. For example, "We couldn't afford a vacation last year; "now of course", things are different".

What are some alternatives to "now of course"?

Alternatives include "naturally", "obviously", or "it goes without saying", depending on the context and the level of emphasis you want to convey.

What's the difference between "now of course" and "then of course"?

"Now of course" refers to the present understanding or situation, while "then of course" refers to a past understanding or situation. They both acknowledge something known, but their temporal focus differs.

Is "now of course" formal or informal?

"Now of course" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though overuse in very formal writing may be perceived as slightly conversational.