When you’re in the middle of a conversation or typing a quick response, it’s easy to overlook whether you’re writing “of course” or “ofcourse.” At first glance, both seem acceptable. But in formal English, only one is correct.
In this article, we’ll break down the correct usage, explore the reason for the confusion, provide clear examples, and suggest synonyms and spelling tips to help you never second-guess this common phrase again. Whether you’re polishing your business emails or casual texts, knowing the right form matters.
Read More About This Article: Writing or Writting? Why Spelling Errors Happen—and How to Avoid Common English Mistakes
Is It “Of Course” or “Ofcourse”?
Let’s clear this up from the start: “Of course” is the correct spelling.
“Ofcourse” is incorrect and not recognized as a proper word in standard English. You won’t find it in respected dictionaries like Merriam-Webster or Cambridge Dictionary.
Why “Of Course” Is Correct:
- It’s a prepositional phrase made up of two separate words: “of” (a preposition) and “course” (a noun).
- Together, they form an idiomatic expression used to confirm, agree, or acknowledge something naturally.
| Incorrect | Correct | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| ofcourse | of course | “Of” and “course” are two separate words forming a phrase |
You might still see “ofcourse” on social media or in casual messages, but that doesn’t make it acceptable in formal or even semi-formal writing.
Why the Confusion Happens
So, why do so many people write ofcourse as one word?
Blame It on the Way We Speak
When spoken quickly, “of course” blends smoothly into a single-sounding unit. This natural speech flow often causes people to assume it’s a compound word.
This kind of error is common in English. It happens with other phrases too:
| Mistaken Form | Correct Form |
|---|---|
| alot | a lot |
| infact | in fact |
| aswell | as well |
Typing habits, texting shortcuts, and predictive text also encourage this mistake. Even smart devices don’t always correct it.
Understanding the Meaning of “Of Course”
“Of course” is used to express something that is obvious, expected, or accepted without question.
Core Meanings of “Of Course”:
- Agreement or permission: “Of course you can borrow it.”
- Acknowledgment: “Of course I remembered your birthday!”
- Polite affirmation: “Of course, that makes sense.”
“Of course” sits somewhere between being certain, natural, and assumed—all without sounding forced.
Here’s how the tone changes depending on the context:
| Sentence | Meaning | Tone |
|---|---|---|
| Of course, I’ll be there on time. | Commitment | Reassuring |
| Of course you forgot your keys again. | Sarcasm or frustration | Ironic |
| Of course, I understand completely. | Agreement or understanding | Polite/Formal |
The context, tone of voice, and punctuation shape the interpretation.
When and How to Use “Of Course” in Writing
You can use of course in both formal and informal English. However, you’ll need to adjust tone and punctuation.
Formal Uses:
- Emails: “Of course, I’d be happy to assist.”
- Business proposals: “We will, of course, deliver within the timeline.”
Informal Uses:
- Chat messages: “Of course I’ll be there!”
- Social media: “Of course we had pizza again 😅”
Tips for Correct Usage:
- Place a comma after “of course” when it’s at the start of a sentence.
- Avoid overusing it. Use synonyms to vary your tone (we’ll list those shortly).
- Never write it as one word, especially in professional content.
Is “Ofcourse” Ever Acceptable in Any English Dialect?
In short—no. Both American and British English treat “ofcourse” as a misspelling.
Even casual writing platforms like Reddit, Quora, or Twitter have native speakers who recognize that ofcourse is not the correct form.
Spelling tools like Grammarly, ProWritingAid, and MS Word flag ofcourse as an error every time.
Dictionaries Agree:
| Dictionary | Entry | Correct Form |
|---|---|---|
| Merriam-Webster | ✔️ “of course” | ❌ “ofcourse” |
| Cambridge | ✔️ “of course” | ❌ “ofcourse” |
| Oxford English | ✔️ “of course” | ❌ “ofcourse” |
Synonyms and Similar Phrases for “Of Course”
You don’t have to repeat “of course” endlessly. There are plenty of rich alternatives depending on the tone you want.
Synonym Table:
| Synonym | Best Used For | Tone |
|---|---|---|
| Certainly | Formal writing or strong confirmation | Professional |
| Absolutely | Informal, enthusiastic agreement | Friendly/Direct |
| Naturally | Light, conversational, softer tone | Casual |
| Without a doubt | Emphatic agreement | Confident |
| Sure | Everyday conversations or quick replies | Relaxed |
Usage in Sentences:
- Certainly: “Certainly, I’ll follow up with the report.”
- Absolutely: “Absolutely! I’m in.”
- Naturally: “Naturally, we assumed you’d attend.”
- Without a doubt: “Without a doubt, she deserves the promotion.”
- Sure: “Sure, I can help with that.”
Use these to add color to your writing and avoid repetition.
Mistaking “Ofcourse” Isn’t Rare
Even seasoned writers and fluent speakers slip up. A quick Google Trends search reveals that thousands still type ofcourse each month.
Real-World Observations:
- Search engine autocomplete often suggests “ofcourse” because of high user volume.
- User forums, blog comments, and tweets show frequent informal use of the incorrect form.
However, that doesn’t mean it’s right. It just means it’s a common mistake. Language evolves, but writing standards still matter—especially in professional or academic settings.
How to Remember the Correct Spelling
If you catch yourself typing ofcourse, here are some quick tricks to help lock in the correct version.
Mnemonic:
- “It’s of a course, not a shortcut.”
Other Tricks:
- Say it aloud and insert a pause: “Of… course.”
- Break it into context: Would you say “ofhouse” or “ofroad”? No? Then don’t say ofcourse.
- Install spellcheck tools like Grammarly or LanguageTool to catch recurring slipups.
Conclusion: Keep It Clear, Keep It Correct
So what have we learned?
- Only of course is correct in standard English.
- Ofcourse is a common spelling mistake caused by how the phrase sounds.
- It’s important to spell it right, especially in formal writing.
- There are plenty of synonyms to replace “of course” for variety.
- Use simple memory devices and tools to avoid the error again.
Correct writing builds credibility. And in a world full of quick texts and casual grammar, knowing the rules helps you stand out.
FAQ
Is “ofcourse” ever correct in English?
No. It’s an incorrect spelling of the phrase “of course.” Use the two-word form.
Why do people write “ofcourse” as one word?
Because the phrase blends phonetically in speech. This leads to confusion in spelling.
Can I use “of course” in formal writing?
Yes, if used appropriately and sparingly. It’s best to mix it with synonyms like “certainly” or “absolutely.”
What’s a good alternative to “of course”?
Try “naturally,” “sure,” “without a doubt,” or “certainly,” depending on your context and tone.
How can I stop writing “ofcourse” by mistake?
Use grammar checkers, break the phrase mentally into two parts, and rely on mnemonics or proofreading.
Further Resources
- Grammarly Writing Tips
- Cambridge Dictionary: Of Course
- Oxford Learner’s Dictionary: Of Course
- Google Ngram Viewer: Compare usage trends over time