Cool MateOf course vs Yes it is
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Of course
Top 1,000 (very common)
Yes it is
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Of course
| Of course | Yes it is | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //əv kɔːs//🇺🇸 //əv kɔrs// | 🇬🇧 //jɛs ɪt ɪz//🇺🇸 //jɛs ɪt ɪz// |
| Meaning | Definitely, it's obvious. | A way to agree with something or confirm it. |
| Example | Are you joining us for dinner tonight? Of course! | The weather is beautiful today. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| Collocations | of course not, of course yes, of course you can, of course it is | agree with statement, confirm information, respond affirmatively |
| Common mistakes | Using it in formal writing where a different expression is needed., Confusing it with other affirmations like 'certainly' or 'definitely'. | Using it in very formal writing., Confusing with 'Yes, it is not' for negation., Overusing in situations where a simple 'yes' suffices. |
| Usage notes | Used in informal and formal situations to affirm something obvious. Avoid in highly formal writing. | Used in conversational English to confirm statements. It's appropriate in most contexts but can feel informal depending on tone. |
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Frequently asked questions: Of course vs Yes it is
What's the difference between Of course and Yes it is?
Of course: Definitely, it's obvious. Yes it is: A way to agree with something or confirm it.
Which is more common: Of course and Yes it is?
Of course is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Of course: Are you joining us for dinner tonight? Of course! Yes it is: The weather is beautiful today.
Can I use Of course and Yes it is interchangeably?
Not always. Of course and Yes it is 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.