of course my dear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of course my dear" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to show agreement or understanding in a friendly or affectionate manner. For example: - "Do you need help with the dishes?" "Of course, my dear, I would love some help." - "I can't believe I forgot the keys!" "It's okay, my dear. We can go back and get them." - "I'm sorry for being late." "Don't worry, my dear. It happens to all of us."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Alcindoro: That sounds a bit queer / But of course, my dear.

The Guardian - Music

Of course, my dear friends and family have been beyond remarkable, but what has really taken me aback has been the outpouring of love and emotion from people I knew only in passing or those whom I had not known at all.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Of course, my friends are saying, 'You know, Curtis is orchestrating all this now.' Curtis was my visionary, my mentor, my dear and lovely human being.

Huffington Post

And of course my senses".

The New York Times - Science

Of course, my phone rang.

The New York Times

Of course, my son disagreed.

BBC

"But of course, edited by my dear friend.

The New Yorker

"Libraries are, of course, dear to my heart, but they are also incredibly important to the neighborhood," he said, citing the high proportion of older residents who need a place to go and immigrants who need English lessons.

The New York Times

To him goes credit of having answered her confession of desire to have theatre of ovm with "My dear, of course you may have & theatre" and put her on pay roll of Embassy.

The New Yorker

Of course you, dear reader, know and I know and my critics know that they themselves view the practices advocated by radical, political Islam as inhumane.

Forbes

The coach: DPRK has two bosses: Kim Jong-hun, and of course the Dear Leader, Kim Jong-il, who'll claim full credit for any win.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "of course my dear" to express agreement or acknowledgment in a friendly and slightly old-fashioned manner. It works best in informal settings where warmth and personal connection are desired.

Common error

Avoid using "of course my dear" in formal or professional settings. Its informal and affectionate tone can be inappropriate in contexts requiring a more detached or objective demeanor. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "certainly" or "indeed" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of course my dear" functions primarily as an interjection, expressing agreement, acknowledgment, or reassurance. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in dialogue to convey a friendly and understanding tone, affirming a statement or request.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "of course my dear" is a grammatically correct expression used to convey agreement or reassurance in a friendly manner. Ludwig AI indicates its register is informal, best suited for casual conversations or situations where a warm, personable tone is desired. While the examples found by Ludwig are not numerous, they illustrate the phrase's usage in News & Media. As such, it's important to avoid using the phrase in formal or professional settings, opting instead for more neutral alternatives. Its primary function is to soften agreement and establish rapport.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

certainly my dear

Replaces "of course" with "certainly" maintaining a sense of agreement and endearment.

of course darling

Replaces "dear" with "darling" to alter the tone of endearment while keeping the sense of agreement.

indeed my dear

Substitutes "of course" with "indeed" to convey agreement in a slightly more formal tone.

absolutely my dear

Uses "absolutely" instead of "of course" to emphasize strong agreement or affirmation.

of course my love

Substitutes "dear" with "love" offering a more affectionate term of endearment.

sure thing my dear

Replaces "of course" with a more casual "sure thing", while retaining the affectionate "my dear".

of course my sweet

Replaces "dear" with "sweet" maintaining a friendly and affectionate tone.

naturally my dear

Employs "naturally" in place of "of course", suggesting the agreement is obvious or expected.

without a doubt my dear

Replaces "of course" with "without a doubt" to highlight the certainty of the agreement.

by all means my dear

Uses "by all means" instead of "of course" to offer enthusiastic consent or permission.

FAQs

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

You can use "of course my dear" to express agreement or understanding in a friendly way. For example: "Do you need help with that?" "Of course, my dear, I'd be happy to assist."

What can I say instead of "of course my dear"?

Alternatives include "certainly my dear", "indeed my dear", or "absolutely my dear", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "of course my dear" considered formal or informal?

"Of course my dear" is considered informal. It's best used in casual conversations or when addressing someone you know well and want to express warmth.

When is it inappropriate to use "of course my dear"?

Avoid using "of course my dear" in formal business settings, academic discussions, or when addressing strangers, as it may sound condescending or overly familiar. More neutral phrases are preferable in such situations.