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One view of ‘of course’ is that if what follows really is ‘of course’ then it doesn’t need saying and you’re patronising your readers by using it. Show activity on this post.
How to use "of course" in a sentence? We use of course to refer to things that are obvious or already known to the speaker and listener, or to everybody: 'A tropical climate is, of course, very humid, so we sweated all the time.' We use of course when a situation or piece of information is not surprising:
‘Of course’ means ‘yes’ here and it implies you should already know the answer. Obviously I’m happy for you borrow them. Now that was a request, but what about offers?
One view of ‘of course’ is that if what follows really is ‘of course’ then it doesn’t need saying and you’re patronising your readers by using it. Show activity on this post. Be very wary of using 'of course' in (pseudo-)technical writing.
We use of course to refer to things that are obvious or already known to the speaker and listener, or to everybody:A tropical climate is, of course, very humid, so we sweated all the time. ... Our car broke down on the way to the station so, of course, we missed the train and had to buy new tickets.More items...•
Of course is an informal way of saying 'yes' or to give someone permission to do something. Student: Can I have some extra homework? Me: Of course you can. Off course is used when a vehicle doesn't follow a planned, or intended, route.
Though a comma can usually follow an introductory adverbial phrase like “of course,” such a comma is also usually optional (see CMOS 6.31). Of course, setting off a phrase like “of course” will emphasize the phrase itself. But to shift the emphasis to include the words that follow, you should omit the comma.
As detailed above, 'of course' is an adverb. Adverb usage: Of course I'll go with you. Adverb usage: Of course, there will be a few problems along the way.
b) (also course informal) spoken used to say yes or to give permission politely 'Can I have a word with you? ' 'Of course. ' 'Can you give me a lift? ' 'Course, no problem.
synonyms for of courseby all means.certainly.definitely.indeed.indubitably.naturally.obviously.surely.More items...
If found at the beginning of the sentence, “Of course” should be followed by a comma. If placed in the middle, it should be isolated by parenthetical commas. “Of course” can be used as an adverb, in which case a comma should follow it, as its purpose is to emphasize meaning.
The only honest answer is, of course, yes. You use of course as a polite way of giving permission. 'Can I just say something about the cup game on Saturday?' —'Yes of course you can.
When you respond with “of course,” you are saying that the help that you gave was to be expected. People say “my pleasure” when they want you to know that it made them feel good to help you… almost like it was not work. You hear this often from someone providing you service in retail, or in restaurants.
Polite Ways to Say Yes in EnglishYeah, sure. Here you go.No problem! I'm always happy to help.Yep! I will be right there. (Yep is another informal way to say yes like yeah.)Yeah, I'd be happy to!Cool. (Yes, cool can really be used to say yes or to show agreement.)You got it.Okay.
synonyms for anywayanyhow.ever.once.at all.at any rate.however.in any case.in any event.More items...
Ways of saying yes - thesaurusyes. adverb. used for telling someone that what they have said or asked is true or correct.definitely. adverb. used for emphasizing that you mean 'yes'of course. adverb. ... sure. adverb. ... naturally. adverb. ... that's right. phrase. ... I don't mind if I do. phrase. ... by all means. phrase.More items...
1. As can or should be expected. We can't, of course, expect our customers to pay for this twice, but we need to cover the cost somehow.
yes; certainly; for sure. Sally: Are you ready to go? Bob: Of course. Sally: Then let's go. Jane: Are you coming with us? John: Of course. I wouldn't miss this for the world. "And you'll be there, of course?" asked Alice. "I would be happy to help, of course," confided Tom, a little insincerely.
1. In the customary or expected order, naturally, as in The new minister did not, of course, fire the church secretary. This usage, first recorded in 1548, employs course in the sense of "ordinary procedure."
1 (also course informal) used to emphasize that what you are saying is true or correct: ‘Don’t you like my mother?’ ‘Of course I do!’ ♢ ‘Will you be there?’ ‘Course I will.’
1. As is to be expected under the circumstances; naturally or obviously: Of course someone had to clean up the mess.
As to its appropriateness (when used correctly), it is probably not the best for technical documentation because the purpose of documentation is for readers who don't understand what is going on, so you never know what should be obvious to the reader.
Yes, it certainly can be used in technical writing. If the statement were written without the 'of course', then the writer might think that the reader would be confused at the mention as though the statement were some new shocking interesting thing needing lots of justification.