Cool MateNo shit vs Obviously vs Of course
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
No shit
SlangTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Obviously
Top 1,000 (very common)B1adverb
Of course
Top 1,000 (very common)
| No shit | Obviously | Of course | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //nəʊ ʃɪt//🇺🇸 //noʊ ʃɪt// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɒbviəsli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɑːbviəsli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //əv kɔːs//🇺🇸 //əv kɔrs// |
| Meaning | An expression used to show that something is obvious or true. | Clearly or easily seen. | Definitely, it's obvious. |
| Example | Did you see that movie? It was amazing! No shit! | Obviously, we don't want to spend too much money. | Are you joining us for dinner tonight? Of course! |
| Register | Slang | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | adverb | ||
| Collocations | no shit, Sherlock, no shit, really, no shit, of course | obviously correct, obviously wrong, obviously happy, obviously important, obviously true | of course not, of course yes, of course you can, of course it is |
| Antonyms | - | unclearly, ambiguously | - |
| Common mistakes | Used in formal writing or speech., Confused with 'no kidding' or 'really' in different contexts., Overused to the point of losing emphasis. | '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. | Using it in formal writing where a different expression is needed., Confusing it with other affirmations like 'certainly' or 'definitely'. |
| Usage notes | Used informally to emphasize the obviousness of a statement. Not appropriate in formal situations. | Use 'obviously' when something is clear or evident. It's appropriate in most contexts but can seem sarcastic if overused. | Used in informal and formal situations to affirm something obvious. Avoid in highly formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: No shit vs Obviously vs Of course
What's the difference between No shit, Obviously, and Of course?
No shit: An expression used to show that something is obvious or true. Obviously: Clearly or easily seen. Of course: Definitely, it's obvious.
Can you show an example of each?
No shit: Did you see that movie? It was amazing! No shit! Obviously: Obviously, we don't want to spend too much money. Of course: Are you joining us for dinner tonight? Of course!
Can I use No shit, Obviously, and Of course interchangeably?
Not always. No shit, Obviously, 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.