Naturally vs Of course you idiot

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Naturally

Top 2,000 (common)B1adverb

Of course you idiot

InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: NaturallyMost common: Naturally
 NaturallyOf course you idiot
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/ˈnætʃrəli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈnætʃrəli/"]/🇬🇧 //əv kɔːs juː ˈɪdiət//🇺🇸 //əv kɔːrs ju ˈɪdiət//
Meaningin a way that is normal or expectedA way to say someone is foolish or silly.
ExampleShe speaks naturally in front of the camera.Of course you idiot, everyone knows that the sun rises in the east!
RegisterNeutralInformal
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Beyond 10,000 (less common)
CEFR levelB1-
Part of speechadverb
Collocationsnaturally talented, naturally occurring, naturally beautifulOf course not, Of course yes, As if you didn't know
Antonymsunnaturally, artificially-
Common mistakesUsed 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 a formal context., Not using it with close friends who will find it funny., Mispronouncing 'idiot' as 'idiot' instead of 'idi-yət'.
Usage notesUse '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.Use this expression informally among friends. It's rude if used with strangers or in serious situations.

See it in real clips

Naturally
Of course you idiot

Frequently asked questions: Naturally vs Of course you idiot

What's the difference between Naturally and Of course you idiot?

Naturally: in a way that is normal or expected Of course you idiot: A way to say someone is foolish or silly.

Which is more formal: Naturally and Of course you idiot?

Naturally is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Naturally and Of course you idiot?

Naturally 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 you idiot: Of course you idiot, everyone knows that the sun rises in the east!

Can I use Naturally and Of course you idiot interchangeably?

Not always. Naturally and Of course you idiot 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.

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