of course

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of course" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express agreement or to indicate that something is obvious or expected. Example: "Of course, I will help you with your project; it's what friends are for."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Of course.

The New York Times

"Of course, of course," Ms. Wagner said.

The New York Times

Of course they do Henry, of course.

Independent

The answer, of course, was "Of course".

The New York Times

Of course, accidents happen.

The New York Times

Of course, I compromised.

The New York Times

OTHER PERSON: Of course!

The New Yorker

Credibly, of course.

The New York Times - Arts

Germany, of course, disagrees.

The New York Times

And, of course, Dickens.

The New York Times - Travel

The groin of course.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overuse of "of course" in formal writing, as it can sometimes sound dismissive or condescending. Consider alternatives like "certainly" or "indeed" for a more professional tone.

Common error

Be cautious when using "of course" in response to someone's question or statement, as it can sometimes imply that their question was unnecessary or obvious. Rephrase your response to be more empathetic and less dismissive.

Linguistic Context

"Of course" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a statement, expressing agreement, confirmation, or indicating that something is obvious or expected. Ludwig confirms this usage is grammatically correct and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "of course" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to express agreement, confirmation, or to indicate that something is obvious. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. While common in news and media, its informal register makes it suitable for everyday conversation. When using "of course", be mindful of potential condescension and consider context-appropriate alternatives like "certainly" or "absolutely" for more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

certainly

A more formal way to express agreement or affirmation.

absolutely

Emphasizes strong agreement or affirmation.

definitely

Indicates a clear and certain agreement.

indeed

A formal term that expresses agreement or confirmation.

naturally

Suggests that something is logical or expected.

surely

Implies confidence or expectation.

without a doubt

Emphasizes the certainty of a statement.

undoubtedly

Indicates that something is beyond question.

obviously

Points out that something is easily perceived or understood.

as expected

Implies that something happened in a predictable way.

FAQs

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

"Of course" is typically used to express agreement or to indicate that something is obvious or expected. For example, "Will you help me with this project?" "Of course, I will."

What are some alternatives to "of course"?

You can use alternatives like "certainly", "absolutely", or "naturally" depending on the context.

Is "of course" formal or informal?

"Of course" is generally considered informal. In formal contexts, it is better to use alternatives like "certainly" or "indeed".

Can "of course" be perceived as rude?

Yes, if used sarcastically or dismissively. It's important to consider your tone and context to avoid implying that someone's question or statement was foolish or unnecessary. Try rephrasing to be more polite and helpful, or choose a more neutral alternative.