where does of course come from

by Jerry Miller 8 min read

Of course was first used in the sense of a matter of course (one could also say a thing of course), and meant as a natural result, but the earliest citation of the phrase of course “naturally, certainly,” as we all know it, is amazingly late (1823).Sep 12, 2018

Where did the term of course originate?

Our word “course” came into English in the late 13th century, and for several hundred years it was spelled without an “e” at the end, like the French word it came from (cours). The French got it from Latin, in which cursus means a race, a journey, a march, or a direction.May 22, 2013

Why do we say of course?

So what does 'of course' mean? It means obviously. 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.

Is of course correct English?

The only honest answer is, of course, yes. You use of course as a polite way of giving permission.

What does it mean when a girl says of course?

used to say yes or to give someone permission to do something: "Can you help me?" "Of course." "May I look at your newspaper?" "Of course you can."

Is of course a response?

OK, the last use we'll explore today for “of course” is a way to show that something is not surprising. Unlike the others, this use is not a response.Apr 4, 2019

Can I say yes of course?

"Of course" means that the statement should be obvious, or can go without saying. Someone hearing "Yes, of course." could reasonably assume that there was no question that the answer might have been no.Sep 22, 2015

What language feature is of course?

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 commas here, before and after of course, to show that it refers to the whole of the first clause.)

Is of course formal or informal?

2 spoken (also course informal) used to emphasize that you are saying 'yes' when someone asks your permission to do something 'Can I ring you back in a minute? ' 'Yes, of course.

What is the definition of a course of action?

a particular manner of proceeding: a course of action. a customary manner of procedure; regular or natural order of events: as a matter of course; the course of a disease. a mode of conduct; behavior. a systematized or prescribed series: a course of lectures; a course of medical treatments.

What is a course in economics?

a program of instruction, as in a college or university: a course in economics. a prescribed number of instruction periods or classes in a particular field of study. a part of a meal served at one time: The main course was roast chicken with mashed potatoes and peas. Navigation.

What does "advanced" mean?

advance or progression in a particular direction; forward or onward movement. the continuous passage or progress through time or a succession of stages: in the course of a year; in the course of the battle. the track, ground, water, etc., on which a race is run, sailed, etc.: One runner fell halfway around the course.

What is a building trade?

Building Trades. a continuous and usually horizontal range of bricks, shingles, etc., as in a wall or roof. one of the pairs of strings on an instrument of the lute family, tuned in unison or in octaves to increase the volume.

What is nautical sail?

nautical any of the sails on the lowest yards of a square-rigged ship.

Where Does the Data Come From?

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Taught By

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Origins of "Run of The Mill"

The term run-of-the-mill has been in use since the early 20th century with the meaning "not outstanding in quality or rarity," "average, ordinary." It's an adjective that modifies nouns: we have run-of-the-mill problems, a discerning customer doesn't want a run-of-the-mill sofa, etc.

Similar Phrase: "Run of the Mine"

The same run exists in a very similar term that's been largely relegated to the coal bins of history, which may be fitting:

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Is A Comma Necessary After “Of Course?”

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Introducing a comma after “of course” will only be deemed incorrect if “of course” is located at the end of the sentence, in which case a period should be placed instead. 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. “O…
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“Of Course” as An Adverb

  • “Of course” typically functions as a sentence adverb. Adverbs are utilized to provide the reader with information about the circumstances of the activity set out by the verb. “Of course” is a sentence adverb because it acts as a comment, showcasing the speaker’s attitude towards the information provided. “Of course” will not be used frequently in academic papers; you should be …
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“Of Course” as A Confirmative Noun

  • In the below example, “of course” will be used as a noun to replace “yes”: Since “of course” has not been followed by any other words, a comma here is unnecessary. “Of course” will only be used in the way shown above as part of a piece of dialogue. You won’t encounter a complex sentence that places “of course” in its introduction without being followed by other words. This is also why yo…
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“Of Course” as A Convention

  • Conventions are used to improve the readability of our writing. Commas themselves can serve as writing convention, as they hold the ability to emphasize tone and create flow. Includingconventions in your writing is a great way to help the reader understand the information at hand. “Of course” is a powerful convention because it emphasizes parts of the sentence, maki…
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“Of Course” as A Parenthetical Element

  • Proper grammar would require you to introduce a comma preceding “of course” and follow it if placed in the middle of a sentence. When “of course is utilized in this way, it is regarded as a parenthetical element, carrying information that is not crucial to the reader’s understanding. However, some people agree that minor interruptions in tone, which would require a restrictive cl…
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“Of Course” in Relation to Tone

  • The examples below will showcase how placing a comma after “of course” can change the sentence’s tone, affecting purpose and meaning. Using “of course” without introducing a comma after it can suggest a misrepresentation of initial doubt: In this example, the second speaker is upset, and the tone comes off as rude and passive-aggressive. The lack of a comma after “of co…
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Conclusion

  • Hopefully, this guide has helped you familiarize yourself with the complex world of punctuation. “Of course” has multiple meanings depending on its function as an adverb or a convention, which changes based on comma placement. Mastering the complex art of punctuationis a harrowing quest to embark on, but the benefits of it will undoubtedly shine brightly on the quality of your wr…
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