victim of course

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "victim of course" is not correct in standard written English as it lacks clarity and context.
It may be used in informal conversation, but it requires additional context to convey a clear meaning. Example: "He was a victim of course, but we need to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The victim, of course, triumphs.

The Guardian

The victim, of course, is the boy.

The New York Times

Not different for the victim, of course, but different for the rest of us who will read about it the next morning in the paper.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's that the alleged killer (not even alleged in this case) gets to speak, while the victim, of course, does not.

The Guardian - Opinion

I was not always the innocent victim, of course, though I got very skilled at playing one.

Vice

Follow Allegra RiNexton Twistension

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The paedophiles do not physically molest their victims, of course.

The Economist

Some wealthy victims, of course, can afford to seek redress on their own.

The New York Times

And the true victims, of course, were innocent civilians squeezed between the warring parties.

The New York Times

The recent victims, of course, are criminal suspects, not political activists.

The New York Times

"We'll be trying to determine that after consultation with everyone, including the families of the victims, of course".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "victim of course", ensure the context makes the meaning clear. Consider rewording for better clarity and grammatical correctness, such as "obviously a victim" or "clearly the victim".

Common error

Avoid using "victim of course" without sufficient context. This can lead to ambiguity and make the sentence difficult to understand. Instead, provide enough information to make the victim's status apparent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "victim of course" functions primarily as an appositive or parenthetical remark intended to emphasize or highlight the victim's status within a narrative or discussion. However, it's often considered grammatically awkward. Ludwig AI suggests that the phrase is not correct in standard written English as it lacks clarity and context.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "victim of course" is used to highlight someone's status as a victim, but it's not considered grammatically correct in standard written English. As Ludwig AI highlights, it often lacks clarity and requires additional context to be fully understood. While the phrase appears in various sources, mostly in the News & Media category, alternatives like "obviously a victim" or "clearly a victim" are recommended for improved clarity and grammatical accuracy. Therefore, use "victim of course" with caution, ensuring the context makes your meaning clear or opting for a more explicit phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obviously a victim

Stresses the clear and apparent state of being a victim.

clearly a victim

Highlights the lack of ambiguity in recognizing someone as a victim.

undeniably a victim

Stresses that the victim status cannot be refuted or denied.

plainly a victim

Indicates that it is evident or unmistakable that someone is a victim.

unquestionably a victim

Indicates that the person's status as a victim is beyond dispute.

naturally a victim

Emphasizes the inherent or expected nature of being a victim.

certainly a victim

Emphasizes the assurance and lack of doubt about someone's victimhood.

understandably a victim

Focuses on the understandable or logical reason for becoming a victim.

assuredly a victim

Similar to 'certainly', but with a stronger emphasis on confidence.

expectedly a victim

Highlights that the victimization was anticipated or foreseen.

FAQs

How can I use "victim of course" in a sentence for maximum clarity?

While "victim of course" can be used, it often lacks clarity. Reword the sentence to explicitly state why the person is a victim or use phrases like "obviously a victim".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "victim of course"?

Alternatives include "clearly a victim", "obviously a victim", or "plainly a victim". These provide better clarity and grammatical correctness.

Is "victim of course" grammatically correct in formal writing?

No, "victim of course" is not grammatically correct in formal writing. It's better to use more explicit and grammatically sound alternatives such as "the obvious victim" or "the clear victim".

What's the difference between "victim of course" and "obviously a victim"?

"Victim of course" is less grammatically sound and requires more context to be understood. "Obviously a victim" is clearer and more direct, making it a better choice for formal writing.