Cool MateNaturally vs Of course
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Naturally
Top 2,000 (common)B1adverb
Of course
Top 1,000 (very common)
Most common: Of course
| Naturally | Of course | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈnætʃrəli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈnætʃrəli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //əv kɔːs//🇺🇸 //əv kɔrs// |
| Meaning | in a way that is normal or expected | Definitely, it's obvious. |
| Example | She speaks naturally in front of the camera. | Are you joining us for dinner tonight? Of course! |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | naturally talented, naturally occurring, naturally beautiful | of course not, of course yes, of course you can, of course it is |
| Antonyms | unnaturally, artificially | - |
| Common mistakes | Used incorrectly as an adjective instead of an adverb., Confused with 'natural' when describing things., Overused in casual conversations where it's unnecessary. | Using it in formal writing where a different expression is needed., Confusing it with other affirmations like 'certainly' or 'definitely'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'naturally' to indicate something happens without effort or as is typical. It's generally appropriate in both spoken and written language, but avoid in very formal contexts. | Used in informal and formal situations to affirm something obvious. Avoid in highly formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Naturally vs Of course
What's the difference between Naturally and Of course?
Naturally: in a way that is normal or expected Of course: Definitely, it's obvious.
Which is more common: Naturally and Of course?
Of course is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Naturally: She speaks naturally in front of the camera. Of course: Are you joining us for dinner tonight? Of course!
Can I use Naturally and Of course interchangeably?
Not always. Naturally and Of course 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.