of course I was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of course I was" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to affirm or confirm a statement or question, often in response to someone expressing surprise or disbelief. Example: "When you said you were going to the concert, I thought you were joking. Of course I was excited to go!"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Of course I was.

The New York Times - Sports

Of course I was interested.

The New York Times

Of course, I was wrong.

The New Yorker

Of course, I was devastated".

The New Yorker

"Of course I was anxious".

The New York Times

Of course I was animated".

The New York Times - Sports

Of course I was asleep".

The New York Times - Arts

Of course I was late.

The New Yorker

Of course, I was a boy then.

The New York Times

And, of course, I was wrong.

The New York Times

And of course, I was off.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "of course I was" to express an expected reaction or state, particularly when someone might be surprised by your response. For instance, use it to emphasize agreement or to indicate something should have been self-evident.

Common error

Avoid using "of course I was" excessively in formal or academic writing, as it can sometimes come across as too casual. Opt for more formal alternatives like "certainly I was" or "indeed I was" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of course I was" functions as an affirmative response, indicating agreement, confirmation, or a predictable reaction. It is typically used to emphasize that something was to be expected or obvious. As evidenced by Ludwig, the phrase is often used in conversational or narrative contexts to convey a sense of agreement or self-evident truth.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

81%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "of course I was" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey agreement, confirmation, or a predictable reaction. According to Ludwig, it's frequently used in news and media contexts, indicating its versatility and broad applicability. While generally neutral in register, it's advisable to avoid overuse in highly formal settings. Alternatives like "naturally I was" or "certainly I was" can be used to maintain a more professional tone. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and common usage, making it a reliable choice for expressing expected reactions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Naturally, I was

Replaces "of course" with "naturally", emphasizing the expected or logical nature of the response.

Indeed, I was

Substitutes "of course" with "indeed", offering a slightly more formal affirmation.

Certainly, I was

Uses "certainly" instead of "of course" to convey a confident and affirmative response.

As expected, I was

Adds "as expected" to highlight that the speaker's state or action was predictable.

I definitely was

Replaces "of course" with "definitely" to indicate a strong affirmation.

Without a doubt, I was

Emphasizes the certainty of the speaker's feelings or actions.

I surely was

Uses "surely" instead of "of course" to express confidence in the statement.

It was obvious I was

Highlights the obviousness of the speaker's subsequent state or action.

Unquestionably, I was

Replaces "of course" with "unquestionably", stressing the undeniable nature of the situation.

To be sure, I was

Offers a more emphatic way of expressing agreement or confirmation.

FAQs

What does "of course I was" mean?

The phrase "of course I was" is used to express that something was to be expected or obvious, often in response to a question or statement. It indicates agreement or confirmation, implying that the speaker's reaction or state was predictable.

When is it appropriate to use "of course I was"?

It's appropriate to use "of course I was" when you want to emphasize that something was predictable or should have been obvious. It works well in informal conversations or narratives where you want to convey a sense of agreement or affirmation.

What can I say instead of "of course I was"?

You can use alternatives like "naturally I was", "indeed I was", or "certainly I was" depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is "of course I was" grammatically correct?

Yes, "of course I was" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English grammar rules and is widely used in both spoken and written language.