Cool MateDefinitely vs Of course i do
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Definitely
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adverb
Of course i do
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Most common: Definitely
| Definitely | Of course i do | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈdefɪnətli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈdefɪnətli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //əv kɔːs aɪ du//🇺🇸 //əv kɔrs aɪ du// |
| Meaning | For sure, without a doubt | Yes, definitely. |
| Example | I definitely remember sending the letter. | Do you love ice cream? Of course I do! |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | definitely agree, definitely believe, definitely know | Of course I agree, Of course not, Of course you can |
| Antonyms | doubtfully, uncertainly | - |
| Common mistakes | Often confused with 'defiantly' which means resisting authority., Sometimes spelled incorrectly as 'definately'. | Misuse with sarcasm when agreement is not intended., Omitting 'of' and saying 'course I do'., Using it in negative contexts. |
| Usage notes | Use 'definitely' to emphasize certainty. It fits well in both spoken and written English. Avoid using it in overly formal contexts where alternatives like 'certainly' might be more suitable. | Used to affirm or agree emphatically. Appropriate in both casual and formal contexts. |
Frequently asked questions: Definitely vs Of course i do
What's the difference between Definitely and Of course i do?
Definitely: For sure, without a doubt Of course i do: Yes, definitely.
Which is more common: Definitely and Of course i do?
Definitely is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Definitely: I definitely remember sending the letter. Of course i do: Do you love ice cream? Of course I do!
Can I use Definitely and Of course i do interchangeably?
Not always. Definitely and Of course i do are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.