Cool MateAbsolutely vs Of course you are
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Absolutely
Top 1,000 (very common)B1adverb
Of course you are
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Absolutely
| Absolutely | Of course you are | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈæbsəluːtli/","/ˌæbsəˈluːtli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈæbsəluːtli/","/ˌæbsəˈluːtli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //əv kɔːs juː ɑː//🇺🇸 //əv kɔrəs ju ɑr// |
| Meaning | completely or totally | A way to say someone is right or true. |
| Example | I absolutely agree with your point of view. | Are you joining us for dinner? |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | absolutely certain, absolutely necessary, absolutely perfect, absolutely agree, absolutely right | Of course you are right, Of course you are welcome, Of course you are invited |
| Antonyms | partially, conditionally, uncertainly | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'absolutely' when 'maybe' is more appropriate., Saying 'absolutely' in a sarcastic tone but not indicating sarcasm., Confusing 'absolutely' with 'certainly' in non-emphatic contexts. | 'Of course you are' can be confused with 'Indeed, you are' which is more formal., Some learners may use it sarcastically without realizing the tone., Learners might omit the 'you' and say just 'Of course' incorrectly. |
| Usage notes | Used to emphasize something; can be informal in some contexts. Avoid in overly casual conversations where simpler terms are preferred. | Used to confirm someone's statement or belief. It’s friendly and supportive. Avoid in formal situations. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Absolutely vs Of course you are
What's the difference between Absolutely and Of course you are?
Absolutely: completely or totally Of course you are: A way to say someone is right or true.
Which is more common: Absolutely and Of course you are?
Absolutely is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Absolutely: I absolutely agree with your point of view. Of course you are: Are you joining us for dinner?
Can I use Absolutely and Of course you are interchangeably?
Not always. Absolutely and Of course you are 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.