Of course means “certainly” or “naturally”. People use it to agree to help, to give permission or to stress that a fact is well known. In reply to an ordinary question about facts it can sound like “that's obvious”, so with a stranger it is better to say simply Yes.
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Of course. (yes); Of course not. (no); Do you mind if…? → Of course not.
- 'Can I bring a friend to the party?' 'Of course, the more the merrier.'
- Of course you can call me if you have questions about the contract.
- 'Are you angry with me?' 'Of course not, it wasn't your fault.'
What changed
First version'Excuse me, is this the train to Oxford?' 'Of course.'
Revision'Excuse me, is this the train to Oxford?' 'Yes, it is.'
The person isn't asking for permission but checking a fact. Of course may feel like a friendly yes, but here it can suggest that the question was silly. The neutral reply is Yes, it is.
Of course sounds warm when you give permission or agree: Can I sit here? — Of course. In the middle of a sentence it means “as everyone knows, naturally”: Prices, of course, went up again.
Your turn
'Will you be upset if I can't come to your birthday dinner?' '___! We'll celebrate another time.'
Show the answer
Of course not — Your friend is afraid you'll be upset, and you reassure them: “of course not”. That needs Of course not. Of course! on its own would mean “of course I'll be upset” and wouldn't fit with “We'll celebrate another time”.
A friend or colleague asks you for help. Write their request and your reply: agree with of course and say when you'll help.
'Could you check my CV before Friday?' 'Of course, send it tonight and I'll read it tomorrow morning.'
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