Cool MateObviously vs Of course he does
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Obviously
Top 1,000 (very common)B1adverb
Of course he does
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Obviously
| Obviously | Of course he does | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɒbviəsli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɑːbviəsli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //əv kɔːs hi dʌz//🇺🇸 //əv kɔrs hi dʌz// |
| Meaning | Clearly or easily seen. | This means you expect someone to agree or understand something obvious. |
| Example | Obviously, we don't want to spend too much money. | He loves fishing, and when I asked if he would go this weekend, I said, 'Of course he does.' |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | obviously correct, obviously wrong, obviously happy, obviously important, obviously true | Of course he does!, Of course she knows, Of course they agree, Of course you can, Of course it is |
| Antonyms | unclearly, ambiguously | - |
| Common mistakes | 'Obvious' vs 'obviously': Confusing the adjective and adverb forms., Using in overly formal situations: It's too casual for very formal writing., Placing it too far from what it's describing: Should be close to the idea it clarifies. | 'Of course he does' is sometimes used when 'Of course he doesn't' is correct, confusing agreement with disagreement., Learners may forget to use appropriate emphasis when speaking, making the affirmation sound weak., Some learners might use it in overly formal contexts where a direct answer is more suitable. |
| Usage notes | Use 'obviously' when something is clear or evident. It's appropriate in most contexts but can seem sarcastic if overused. | Used in conversations to affirm something obvious or expected. It's informal and may be perceived as slightly dismissive if overused. |
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Frequently asked questions: Obviously vs Of course he does
What's the difference between Obviously and Of course he does?
Obviously: Clearly or easily seen. Of course he does: This means you expect someone to agree or understand something obvious.
Which is more common: Obviously and Of course he does?
Obviously is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Obviously: Obviously, we don't want to spend too much money. Of course he does: He loves fishing, and when I asked if he would go this weekend, I said, 'Of course he does.'
Can I use Obviously and Of course he does interchangeably?
Not always. Obviously and Of course he does 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.