Cool MateNo wonder vs Of course
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
No wonder
Top 2,000 (common)
Of course
Top 1,000 (very common)
Most common: Of course
| No wonder | Of course | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //nəʊ ˈwʌndər//🇺🇸 //noʊ ˈwʌndər// | 🇬🇧 //əv kɔːs//🇺🇸 //əv kɔrs// |
| Meaning | It's not surprising. | Definitely, it's obvious. |
| Example | She was late again; no wonder she missed the meeting. | Are you joining us for dinner tonight? Of course! |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| Collocations | no wonder that, feel no wonder, express no wonder | of course not, of course yes, of course you can, of course it is |
| Antonyms | surprisingly, unexpectedly | - |
| Common mistakes | 'No wonder' used in a question form incorrectly., Confusing 'no wonder' with 'wondering'., 'No wonder' followed by an incorrect verb tense. | Using it in formal writing where a different expression is needed., Confusing it with other affirmations like 'certainly' or 'definitely'. |
| Usage notes | Used to express that something is obvious or expected. Appropriate in most contexts but can sound less formal. | Used in informal and formal situations to affirm something obvious. Avoid in highly formal writing. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: No wonder vs Of course
What's the difference between No wonder and Of course?
No wonder: It's not surprising. Of course: Definitely, it's obvious.
Which is more common: No wonder and Of course?
Of course is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
No wonder: She was late again; no wonder she missed the meeting. Of course: Are you joining us for dinner tonight? Of course!
Can I use No wonder and Of course interchangeably?
Not always. No wonder 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.