of course not

USAGE SUMMARY

"of course not" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in response to a statement or question to express disagreement with it. For example, if someone asks you if you want to take a motorcycle ride across the country, you might reply "Of course not!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

ME: Of course not.

The New Yorker

Of course not.

The New York Times

Again, of course not.

The Economist

No, of course not!

The New York Times

"Of course not," I replied.

The New Yorker

Mr. Braddock: Of course not.

The New York Times

"Well, no, of course not".

The New Yorker

HENDRIK HERTZBERG: Of course not!

The New Yorker

Of course not, LaMotta said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

But, of course... not many".

The New York Times - Books

CLINTON: No, of course not.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "of course not" when you want to express strong disagreement or denial in a clear and direct manner. It's suitable for situations where the statement you are responding to is obviously incorrect or undesirable.

Common error

Avoid using "of course not" in highly formal or professional settings where a more nuanced or polite response is expected. Alternatives like "I'm afraid that's not quite right" or "That's not entirely accurate" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of course not" functions primarily as an emphatic denial or expression of strong disagreement. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples demonstrating its use in direct responses to questions or statements. It indicates that the proposition is obviously false or undesirable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "of course not" serves as a direct and emphatic way to express disagreement or denial. Ludwig AI shows that is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, especially in News & Media. It's suitable for neutral situations where a strong rejection is needed, but it should be used cautiously in more formal settings where a more nuanced response is expected. Related alternatives include "absolutely not" and "certainly not".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Absolutely not

Emphasizes a stronger degree of negation.

Certainly not

Suggests a definitive and firm denial.

Definitely not

Highlights the lack of any possibility or chance.

By no means

Expresses a strong denial or impossibility.

Not at all

Offers a polite and direct way to disagree.

Under no circumstances

Emphasizes a prohibition or impossibility under any condition.

No way

Provides an informal and emphatic denial.

Not a chance

Indicates that something is entirely impossible.

Never

Implies that something will not happen at any time.

Out of the question

Denotes something as unacceptable or impossible.

FAQs

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

Use "of course not" to express strong disagreement or denial. For example, if someone asks, "Do you like being stuck in traffic?", you can respond, "Of course not!"

What's the difference between "of course not" and "absolutely not"?

"Of course not" implies that something is obviously wrong or undesirable, while ""absolutely not"" emphasizes a stronger degree of negation and firmness.

Are there situations where using "of course not" might be inappropriate?

Yes, avoid using "of course not" in highly formal or professional settings where a more nuanced or polite response is expected. Consider using alternatives like "I'm afraid that's not quite right".

What are some other ways to say "of course not"?

You can use alternatives like "certainly not", "definitely not", or "by no means" depending on the context.