Cool MateObviously vs Of course he heard it
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Obviously
Top 1,000 (very common)B1adverb
Of course he heard it
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Obviously
| Obviously | Of course he heard it | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɒbviəsli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɑːbviəsli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //əv kɔːs hi hɜːd ɪt//🇺🇸 //əv kɔːrs hi hɜrd ɪt// |
| Meaning | Clearly or easily seen. | Yes, he definitely heard it. |
| Example | Obviously, we don't want to spend too much money. | When she asked if he's aware of the news, I replied, 'Of course he heard it.' |
| 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 | heard it before, heard it all, certainly heard it |
| 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. | Overusing in formal situations, making it sound rude., Confusing with expressions like 'of course not'., Using it to answer questions that don’t require such emphasis. |
| Usage notes | Use 'obviously' when something is clear or evident. It's appropriate in most contexts but can seem sarcastic if overused. | Used to emphasize that someone is aware of something obvious. Appropriate in everyday conversations but may sound dismissive in formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Obviously vs Of course he heard it
What's the difference between Obviously and Of course he heard it?
Obviously: Clearly or easily seen. Of course he heard it: Yes, he definitely heard it.
Which is more common: Obviously and Of course he heard it?
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 heard it: When she asked if he's aware of the news, I replied, 'Of course he heard it.'
Can I use Obviously and Of course he heard it interchangeably?
Not always. Obviously and Of course he heard it 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.