Cool MateDefinitely vs Of course you will
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Definitely
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adverb
Of course you will
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Definitely
| Definitely | Of course you will | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈdefɪnətli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈdefɪnətli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //əv kɔːs ju wɪl//🇺🇸 //əv kɔrs ju wɪl// |
| Meaning | For sure, without a doubt | It's certain that you will do it. |
| Example | I definitely remember sending the letter. | When you asked if you would pass the test, I said, 'Of course you will!' |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | definitely agree, definitely believe, definitely know | Of course you can, Of course not, Of course we will |
| Antonyms | doubtfully, uncertainly | - |
| Common mistakes | Often confused with 'defiantly' which means resisting authority., Sometimes spelled incorrectly as 'definately'. | Using 'of course you will' in a sarcastic tone when it doesn't apply., Confusing with 'of course not', which expresses a negative sentiment., Relying on it in formal presentations. |
| 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. | Commonly used in conversations to express certainty or assurance. Suitable in both spoken and written contexts. Avoid in overly formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Definitely vs Of course you will
What's the difference between Definitely and Of course you will?
Definitely: For sure, without a doubt Of course you will: It's certain that you will do it.
Which is more common: Definitely and Of course you will?
Definitely is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Definitely: I definitely remember sending the letter. Of course you will: When you asked if you would pass the test, I said, 'Of course you will!'
Can I use Definitely and Of course you will interchangeably?
Not always. Definitely and Of course you will 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.