Cool MateOf course vs Yes I do
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Of course
Top 1,000 (very common)
Yes I do
Top 1,000 (very common)
| Of course | Yes I do | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //əv kɔːs//🇺🇸 //əv kɔrs// | 🇬🇧 //jɛs aɪ duː//🇺🇸 //jɛs aɪ du// |
| Meaning | Definitely, it's obvious. | A phrase used to agree or confirm something. |
| Example | Are you joining us for dinner tonight? Of course! | Are you coming to the party? Yes I do. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| Collocations | of course not, of course yes, of course you can, of course it is | agree with someone, confirm a decision, respond positively |
| Common mistakes | Using it in formal writing where a different expression is needed., Confusing it with other affirmations like 'certainly' or 'definitely'. | Used without context - learners often forget to connect it to a previous question., Mispronounced - some learners struggle with the intonation. |
| Usage notes | Used in informal and formal situations to affirm something obvious. Avoid in highly formal writing. | Used mostly in conversations to affirm a statement or question. It's casual and can be used in both formal and informal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Of course vs Yes I do
What's the difference between Of course and Yes I do?
Of course: Definitely, it's obvious. Yes I do: A phrase used to agree or confirm something.
Can you show an example of each?
Of course: Are you joining us for dinner tonight? Of course! Yes I do: Are you coming to the party? Yes I do.
Can I use Of course and Yes I do interchangeably?
Not always. Of course and Yes 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.