Cool MateObviously vs Which of course he did
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Obviously
Top 1,000 (very common)B1adverb
Which of course he did
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Most common: Obviously
| Obviously | Which of course he did | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɒbviəsli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɑːbviəsli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //wɪʧ əv kɔːs hi dɪd//🇺🇸 //wɪʧ əv kɔrs hi dɪd// |
| Meaning | Clearly or easily seen. | A phrase used to express that something was expected or obvious. |
| Example | Obviously, we don't want to spend too much money. | He forgot his keys, which of course he did, as he always does. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | obviously correct, obviously wrong, obviously happy, obviously important, obviously true | which of course, expected he did, believed he did |
| 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. | Misuse in formal writing, as it's more conversational., Omitting 'which' can change the meaning., Incorrectly using with a negative statement. |
| Usage notes | Use 'obviously' when something is clear or evident. It's appropriate in most contexts but can seem sarcastic if overused. | "Which of course he did" is typically used in informal conversation or writing to affirm that a person did something expected. It's often used for emphasis. |
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Frequently asked questions: Obviously vs Which of course he did
What's the difference between Obviously and Which of course he did?
Obviously: Clearly or easily seen. Which of course he did: A phrase used to express that something was expected or obvious.
Which is more common: Obviously and Which of course he did?
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. Which of course he did: He forgot his keys, which of course he did, as he always does.
Can I use Obviously and Which of course he did interchangeably?
Not always. Obviously and Which of course he did 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.