Of Course or Off Course? Which is Correct?

Vocabulary / By

To determine which is correct in any usage you have to consider meaning.

“Of Course” is a phrase that means yes, certainly, and without a doubt. You would use 2Of Course” as a response to a question.

“Off Course” is a phrase that means to be going in a direction that is not the intended direction. You would use Off Course in a sentence describing someone or something that is not going in the right direction.

Of Course Examples

Here are some examples of when you would use Of Course.

  • Of course, I know where the dog is.
  • Of course, she can be at the restaurant tonight.
  • Of course! That makes so much sense.
  • Of course, she doesn’t want to eat that.
  • Of course, I can help you move this weekend.
  • Of course, that’s what friends are for.
  • He will, of course, complete his homework before tomorrow.
  • She will, of course, apply to Harvard.

Synonyms for Of Course:

  • Yes
  • Sure
  • Naturally
  • Obviously
  • Without a doubt
  • Certainly
  • Needless to say
  • To be sure
  • As a matter of course
  • Definitely
  • Absolutely
  • By all means
  • With pleasure

Off Course Examples

Here are some examples of when you would use Off Course.

  • The arrow was so off course it struck a tree 10 yards away from the target.
  • Danny was having so much fun riding his bike he didn’t notice when he went off course.
  • The directions to Sara’s house were so confusing, they took a wrong turn and found themselves hopelessly off course.
  • His parents’ goal was that he get an A in every class. After midterms, he could see that he was way off course. It would take a lot of extra credit to get back on course.
  • The earnings projections were off course from the hoped-for outcomes. The small business owner hoped things would pick up during the holidays.
  • Sometimes in life going off course can lead to bigger and better things.
  • She was so full of ideas she struggled with getting distracted and going off course.

Synonyms for Off Course:

  • Astray
  • Confused
  • Disoriented
  • Roaming
  • Roving
  • Lost
  • Going in the wrong direction
  • Not on target
  • Off the mark
  • Askew
  • Inaccurate
  • Off target
  • Off track

History

Of Course used to mean to be on course or to be going in the intended direction. Originally Of Course and Off Course were antonyms. You were either going in the intended direction (Of Course) or not (Off Course).
Nowadays the meanings are very different. Make sure to read the sentence you write and that it makes sense.

 

Conor
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