well of course what yousay

by Emma Thiel 7 min read

When to use "of course"?

If something is obvious – easy to see or understand – we can say ‘of course’. And that’s why we often use ‘of course’ when we say ‘yes’ to requests.

What does "of course" mean?

Of course means the answer is obvious . You know I want to help. Please go ahead. So when people ask us for something, we often say ‘of course’.

Is it polite to say "I've got my car"?

Yes, it is. Oh. I’ve got my car so I can give you a lift if you like. Thank you very much. Now that conversation is polite. If someone asks a question and they don’t know the answer, say a simple yes. Now one more thing. The opposite of course is ‘Of course not’. Again, we say it to add emphasis.

Can you say "yes" without "of course"?

A simple yes. That’s what you need. Just say ‘yes’ without ‘of course’. Let’s look at another example. Suppose I ask about you about the weather.

Is "of course" polite?

Of course is polite here and we’re both happy. So what’s going on? Sometimes ‘of course’ is polite and sometimes it’s not. Well, to understand this, you need to know what ‘of course’ really means.

Is "of course" a bad phrase?

‘Of course.’ This is such a useful English phrase, but be careful. If you use it wrongly people might think you’re angry or when you’re not, or they might think that you think they’re stupid. That’s no good! You don’t want to get it wrong, but don’t worry. In this video you’ll learn how to use it correctly.#N#‘Of course’ is a dangerous phrase because it can be polite or it can be rude. Let’s start by looking at some polite ways to use it.

Is "use it correctly" polite?

There’s a curious thing about the phrase of course. Use it correctly and it’s polite. But use it wrongly and it causes problems. Learn how to use it correctly in this video.

What does "of course" mean in everyday speech?

There are many uses for the expression “of course” in everyday speech. For example, we use it to say “yes” with certainty to requests and some questions. We also use it is to show agreement with or sympathy for a speaker.

What does "of course" mean?

To show agreement. Another use of “of course” is a way of showing interest in and agreement with what someone else is saying, so it is polite. It can also show sympathy for another person. Listen to this exchange between parents: This is the third physics tutor who has not been helpful to my son.

What is a polite answer to a polite offer?

A better answer to a polite offer is either “Yes, please” or “That would be great. Thanks!”

Is "of course not" a negative word?

Now, let’s talk about the term “of course not.” It is the normal negative form of “of course.” We can use it to say “no” in a way that shows we are certain or “yes” to a polite request.

When someone asks for permission, do you answer with "Of course"?

When someone asks for permission, and we answer with “Of course,” we are answering with an emphatic “yes.”

What is the movie Love of Course about?

But when she gets a job planning the school’s Harvest Festival event, she falls in love with Noah Ferris, a professor. The film title tells us that Amy accepts the idea of falling in love.

Can you use "of course not" to answer a request?

But we can also use “of course not” to answer a request. This only works when the request uses the wording “Do you mind…?” or “Would you mind…” Have a listen:

What does "of course" mean?

We use of course to refer to things that are obvious or already known to the speaker and listener, or to everybody:

Did we go to three?

Yes, we did. We went to three.

Why is it important to have good English writing skills?

First off, the fact that you want to improve is terrific! English writing skills are vitally important if you’re thinking of going on to further education in an English-speaking c(Continue reading)

What does it mean to say "you're welcome to come with me"?

It means you are comfortable or even happy with someone to join you in whatever you are doing or wherever you are going. It’s more inviting than ‘ you can come with me' and has a friendly tone to it.

How to downplay gratitude?

Many people try to downplay the gratitude by being self-deprecating - “It was nothing,” “de nada” or simply “no problem.” Often this could be literally chosen because the recipient is mildly embarrassed (at the effusive-ness of the thanks, or because they know it really was ‘nothing’) that the gratitude seems disproportionate. If I choose to do something - or I’m being paid to do something, or I genuinely have put in the least effort I could - there is no NEED to thank me. However…

Is "you're welcome" a standard expression?

a2a. It’s a phenomenon in most modern languages. There is a standard way of saying “you’re welcome” in its own way, but then there are other expressions people can use so as not to sound like robots . German is particularly interesting in that regard, because it has the same word.

Why do we invent little phrases?

Anyway, so we invent little phrases, to take the monotony out of our interactions.

Is it safe to say "It's nothing"?

You can say “It’s nothing,” which corresponds closely to the French, “Ce n’est rien.” That’s fairly safe.

Can you say "you're welcome" in Canada?

Don’t say this in Canada…. to Canadians this sounds weird. And while I am at it, to me one of the worst things about visiting the USA is to have someone say “u-huh” when I thank them. On the other hand, here in Canada, you can never go wrong with “You’re welcome” but it is kind of common to have people say “no problem” or variations of it.

When to use "you're welcome"?

The sarcastic inflection “…you’re welcome!” is often used when thanks was expected but not forthcoming.

What does "of course" mean in an atmosphere of trust?

In an atmosphere of trust and goodwill, “of course” means a strong “yes”, but in an atmosphere of hidden hostility and envy, suspicion is the norm of perception of the interlocutor, and any manifestation of goodness can be considered as a mockery. In a world riddled with sociopathy, it’s better to be silent without looking into anyone’s eyes, of course)

When to say "No problem"?

My experience has been that the a more commonresponse is, “No problem,” when you thank them for service, or to compliment them for doing a good job.

Is "of course" a short sentence?

Saying “Of course.” is short; as potentially-dismissive as “no problem,” and can easily be as sarcastically u ttered as “..you’re welcome.” But I would argue that it has an added benefit (also a possible drawback) that the others don’t:

What does "you're welcome" mean?

Some, often thin-skinned, offerers-of-thanks have been known to read “You’re welcome,” as both patronising and as implying that the deed done were expected rather than a mere kindness.

Does word choice matter?

Typically, while word choice DOES MATTER, reading too-much or too-little into them is a can of worms. We don’t know how much thought or effort goes into choosing apt responses, and occam’s razor suggests that any response is likely the same as any other. So most people have a stock response to being thanked - usually: “You’re welcome.”

Is "thank you" rude?

It’s can come across as a little - or sometimes a LOT - rude . Suggesting, at its most literal, that the thank-you was unnecessary and wrong.

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