Cool MateOf course vs Yeah yeah right
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Of course
Top 1,000 (very common)
Yeah yeah right
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: Of courseMost common: Of course
| Of course | Yeah yeah right | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //əv kɔːs//🇺🇸 //əv kɔrs// | 🇬🇧 //jɛː jɛː raɪt//🇺🇸 //jɛː jɛː raɪt// |
| Meaning | Definitely, it's obvious. | A phrase that shows agreement but can also mean disbelief. |
| Example | Are you joining us for dinner tonight? Of course! | When he said he would finish the project today, I replied, 'Yeah yeah right.' |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| Collocations | of course not, of course yes, of course you can, of course it is | say yeah yeah right, respond with yeah yeah right, nod and say yeah yeah right |
| Common mistakes | Using it in formal writing where a different expression is needed., Confusing it with other affirmations like 'certainly' or 'definitely'. | Used in overly formal situations., Misused as a literal agreement without sarcasm., Confused with 'sure' or 'of course' in serious discussions. |
| Usage notes | Used in informal and formal situations to affirm something obvious. Avoid in highly formal writing. | Used in casual conversation, often to express skepticism or sarcasm. Not suitable for formal contexts. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Of course vs Yeah yeah right
What's the difference between Of course and Yeah yeah right?
Of course: Definitely, it's obvious. Yeah yeah right: A phrase that shows agreement but can also mean disbelief.
Which is more formal: Of course and Yeah yeah right?
Of course is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Of course and Yeah yeah right?
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! Yeah yeah right: When he said he would finish the project today, I replied, 'Yeah yeah right.'
Can I use Of course and Yeah yeah right interchangeably?
Not always. Of course and Yeah yeah right 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.