Of course (Formal) That’s OK (Informal) No at all (Formal) That’s absolutely fine (Formal) Don’t mention it (Formal / Informal) It’s nothing (Informal / Formal) No probs (Informal)
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‘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.
Synonyms for of course include certainly, absolutely, definitely, indeed, clearly, obviously, undoubtedly, yes, indisputably and indubitably. Find more similar words ...
That’s not a very nice answer to a kind offer. Here, answering “Of course” suggests you think the other person should have magically known the answer. A better answer to a polite offer is either “Yes, please” or “That would be great. Thanks!”
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. Most uses are good-natured and polite.
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.
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.
A better answer to a polite offer is either “Yes, please” or “That would be great. Thanks!”
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.
When someone asks for permission, and we answer with “Of course,” we are answering with an emphatic “yes.”
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.
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:
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.
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’.
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.
‘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.
Were my answers appropriate? No! Geri’s questions were normal questions, not requests, and she didn’t know what my answer would be. Let’s look at what I should have said.
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.
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.
Occasionally, it is used in the sense of permission. In the sentence “You can do it”, it means either ability or permission. Suppose, you have asked your superior if you can do something and he has replied that you can do it. This is permission.
If you give someone a gift and they say “thank you” then you should always say “your welcome” or “it was nothing” or “I hope you like it”. “Of course” would not sound right.
People use a variety of replies for a variety of reasons. Some seem politer or more accurate, some are simply just taught or learned through environment or family.
In Mandarin, the typical politeness exchange might be ‘xie, xie’ (thanks), “Bu xie” (literally ‘no thanks’ — meaning no thanks necessary — but can be used in English for the same purpose.) So be careful with how others might interpret your words. Sponsored by Angular Fitness.
Anyway, so we invent little phrases, to take the monotony out of our interactions.
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)
You can say “It’s nothing,” which corresponds closely to the French, “Ce n’est rien.” That’s fairly safe.
When you’re in a more formal setting, it makes sense to say “you’re welcome” rather than something like “No worries.” In more informal situations, like a text message conversation, the reverse is true.
In it, Hess points to comedians’ uses of “you’re welcome,” like Stephen Colbert’s delivery of the phrase as his “blowhard alter ego” on “The Colbert Report” and Will Ferrell’s 2009 comedic Broadway play about President George W. Bush called “You’re Welcome America.”. “You’re welcome” has continued to act as a sort of comic brag or sarcastic remark.
You can mark the fact that you mean it by saying things like ‘My heartfelt thanks’ or ‘You’re so very welcome, ’ said Gleason.
The etiquette experts who spoke to HuffPost all agreed on one thing: We shouldn’t throw out “you’re welcome.”
Although it’s nice for everyone to openly express gratitude, “you don’t want to supersede or brush off someone else’s ‘thank you’ to put your own in place,” she explained. “The polite exchange would get ‘You’re welcome’ in there so that you recognize the other person’s gratitude. So it’s ‘thank you,’ followed by ’You’re welcome and thank
Jean Berko Gleason, professor emerita in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Boston University, echoed this sentiment, noting that “you’re welcome” is part of what’s known as formulaic language. “It’s part of a politeness formula,” she explained, adding that she’s found in her studies of child language acquisition that parents tend to emphasize this kind of communication.
International etiquette expert Jacqueline Whitmore told HuffPost said she believes it’s more sophisticated than the alternate responses. “‘You’re welcome’ is a nice way to respond, it’s more traditional and it sounds more educated,” she said.