They are both saying that the answer should be obvious to the questioner. The "but" just adds emphasis to the response. "Are we going to dinner on my birthday?" "Of course" is the positive response. "But of course" expresses mild surprise that the question should even have been asked.
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...•
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.
It emphasizes that what we're saying is true or correct. Of course I'm going to Geri's party because I REALLY want to go. And Geri will be VERY happy if I bring a friend. When we're saying yes, 'of course' can add emphasis.
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.
You use of course in order to emphasize a statement that you are making, especially when you are agreeing or disagreeing with someone. "I guess you're right."—"Of course I'm right!"
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.
1. adverb. You say of course to suggest that something is normal, obvious, or well-known, and should therefore not surprise the person you are talking to. [spoken] Of course there were lots of other interesting things at the exhibition. 'I have read about you in the newspapers of course,' Charlie said.
You use of course in order to emphasize a statement that you are making, especially when you are agreeing or disagreeing with someone. 'I expect you're right.'—'Of course I'm right.'. Of course I'm not afraid! 'You will strictly observe your diet.'—'Of course.'.
A mode of action or behavior: followed the best course and invested her money. 5. A typical, natural, or customary manner of proceeding or developing: a fad that ran its course. 6. A systematic or orderly succession; a sequence: a course of medical treatments. 7.
off course. Away from the planned or intended course. in due course. At the proper or right time: Things will get better in due course. of course. 1. As is to be expected under the circumstances; naturally or obviously: Of course someone had to clean up the mess. 2.
A continuous layer of building material, such as brick or tile, on a wall or roof of a building. 8. a. A complete body of prescribed studies constituting a curriculum: a four-year course in engineering. b.
Medical Definition of course. 1 : the series of events or stages comprising a natural process the course of a disease. 2 : a series of doses or medications administered over a designated period a course of three doses daily for five days.
English Language Learners Definition of course. (Entry 1 of 2) : the path or direction that something or someone moves along. : a path or route that runners, skiers, bikers, etc., move along especially in a race. : a series of classes about a particular subject in a school.
Here is an example from 1739: He thought it a Matter of Course. The use of "of course" as a standalone phrase appears not to have emerged until the 1800s when the definition "customary; natural" was modified slightly to become "naturally; obviously.".
As my own matter of course, I turn to the Oxford English Dictionary for my answer. According to that tome, the phrase "of course" first appeared in the mid-1500s and was used as an adjectival ...