Of course is the correct spelling, while ofcourse is incorrect in standard English.
The phrase means “certainly,” “naturally,” or “yes,” and it is used to show agreement, permission, or that something is expected.
People often write “ofcourse” because the phrase sounds like one unit when spoken quickly. This makes the spelling easy to confuse, especially in casual messages and online writing.
In this guide, you will learn why of course is written as two words, where the phrase comes from, how British and American English use it, and how to avoid common mistakes.
You will also see clear examples for everyday and formal writing.
Quick Answer
Of course is the only correct spelling in standard English.
It is always written as two separate words:
- ✅ Of course
- ❌ Ofcourse
The phrase can mean certainly, yes, naturally, or as expected.
Examples
- Of course, I can help you.
- “Can I come with you?” “Of course!”
- She was tired, of course, after working all day.
- Of course, we will let you know when the results are ready.
Ofcourse is not accepted as the standard spelling of this phrase. It may appear in casual typing, usernames, hashtags, or spelling mistakes, but it should not be used in professional or academic writing.
Cambridge Dictionary lists of course as an English idiom used for agreement, permission, obvious information, or an unsurprising situation. (Cambridge Dictionary)
The Origin of Of Course or Ofcourse
The phrase of course has a long history in English. The word course originally referred to a path, direction, or way of proceeding. Over time, it also developed the meaning of a normal or expected sequence of events.
The phrase of course developed from the idea of something happening according to the ordinary or expected course of events. The Oxford Etymologist notes that the idiom can be traced back to the sixteenth century, while the familiar meaning “naturally” or “certainly” became established later. (OUPblog)
Dictionary sources also trace an early use of of course to the 1540s, with the modern sense of “certainly” becoming common in the early 1800s. (Dictionary.com)
The spelling has remained of course because it is a phrase made from two separate words:
- of — a preposition
- course — a noun
English has many expressions that contain two separate words but work together as one phrase. Of course is one of them.
The incorrect form ofcourse probably appears because people hear the phrase as one smooth sound when speaking. Similar confusion happens with other common phrases such as a lot, which is also written as two words.
British English vs American English Spelling
There is no spelling difference between British and American English for this phrase.
Both varieties use:
of course
The incorrect form ofcourse is not the standard spelling in either variety.
| English variety | Correct spelling | Incorrect spelling |
|---|---|---|
| British English | of course | ofcourse |
| American English | of course | ofcourse |
| Canadian English | of course | ofcourse |
| Australian English | of course | ofcourse |
| New Zealand English | of course | ofcourse |
| International English | of course | ofcourse |
British English Examples
- Of course, I would be happy to attend.
- She knew the answer, of course.
- “May I use your phone?” “Of course.”
American English Examples
- Of course, I’ll help you.
- He was nervous, of course.
- “Can I borrow your book?” “Of course.”
Unlike words such as colour/color or organise/organize, there is no British-American spelling variation here.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
Use of course regardless of where you write English.
If You Write in American English
Use:
of course
Example:
Of course, I’ll send the file today.
If You Write in British English
Use:
of course
Example:
Of course, I’ll send the file today.
If You Write for a Global Audience
Again, use:
of course
It is understood throughout the English-speaking world and is suitable for both casual and professional communication.
For Students
Always write of course in essays, assignments, examinations, and schoolwork.
For Professional Writing
Use of course in emails, reports, business documents, websites, and formal communication.
The main rule is simple:
Never combine “of” and “course” into “ofcourse.”
Common Mistakes with Of Course or Ofcourse
The most common mistake is joining the two words together.
Mistake 1: Writing “Ofcourse”
❌ Ofcourse, I agree.
✅ Of course, I agree.
Mistake 2: Using It as One Word in Formal Writing
❌ The answer is ofcourse obvious.
✅ The answer is of course obvious.
Mistake 3: Forgetting a Comma When Needed
When of course introduces a sentence or interrupts a sentence, a comma is often appropriate.
❌ Of course we can discuss this later.
✅ Of course, we can discuss this later.
When it appears naturally at the end, a comma is usually unnecessary:
✅ You can join us of course.
However, punctuation depends on the sentence structure and intended emphasis.
Mistake 4: Assuming It Is a Compound Word
Some English phrases eventually become single words. However, of course has not become a standard one-word form.
The correct spelling remains two words.
Mistake 5: Overusing “Of Course”
Although of course is grammatically correct, using it too often can make writing repetitive. It can also sound dismissive in some answers when the information is not actually obvious to the reader. Cambridge specifically notes that using of course in certain responses can sound impolite if the listener did not already know the information. (Cambridge Dictionary)
Of Course or Ofcourse in Everyday Examples
The phrase appears in many types of communication.
In Emails
Correct:
Of course, I can send you the updated document by Friday.
Incorrect:
Ofcourse, I can send you the updated document by Friday.
For professional emails, always use the two-word form.
In News Writing
News articles commonly use of course when referring to information that is expected, obvious, or already known.
Example:
The decision will, of course, affect thousands of people.
The phrase can appear naturally in journalistic writing because it helps connect an obvious point with the main statement.
On Social Media
People often use of course in casual posts and comments.
Examples:
Of course I took pictures! 📸
Of course she won the competition!
“Are you coming?” “Of course!”
The informal nature of social media does not make ofcourse the correct spelling.
In Formal Writing
Of course can appear in formal writing, although writers should avoid unnecessary repetition.
Example:
The results, of course, depend on the quality of the available data.
A more direct version may sometimes be stronger:
The results depend on the quality of the available data.
In Conversation
The phrase is very common in speech.
Example:
“Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
Here, of course means “yes” or “certainly.”
Of Course or Ofcourse – Google Trends & Usage Data
Search interest for of course is much broader than interest in ofcourse because of course is the established English phrase.
However, Google Trends should be interpreted carefully. Google Trends measures relative search interest, not the exact number of searches. A low-volume spelling question can still show noticeable interest because people may search for the phrase when checking whether their spelling is correct.
Searches related to of course or ofcourse can come from several situations:
- Students checking spelling
- English learners comparing forms
- People proofreading emails
- Users correcting online writing
- People searching after seeing “ofcourse”
- Writers checking grammar and punctuation
The phrase itself is extremely common in English-language communication, while ofcourse is mainly encountered as an error or informal internet spelling.
Dictionary and language references consistently recognize of course as the standard form. (Cambridge Dictionary)
Usage by Context
| Context | Preferred form |
|---|---|
| Academic writing | of course |
| Business emails | of course |
| News writing | of course |
| Social media | of course |
| Text messages | of course |
| Formal documents | of course |
| Casual conversation | of course |
| Standard English | of course |
Google search interest can vary by country and time, especially when people are studying English or checking spelling. Therefore, it is better to use search trends as an indicator of search behavior, not as proof that an incorrect spelling has become acceptable.
Of Course vs Ofcourse Comparison Table
| Feature | Of course | Ofcourse |
|---|---|---|
| Spelling | ✅ Correct | ❌ Incorrect |
| Number of words | Two | One |
| Standard English | Yes | No |
| Meaning | Certainly, naturally, yes | Intended to mean “of course” |
| Formal writing | Recommended | Avoid |
| Academic writing | Recommended | Avoid |
| Emails | Recommended | Avoid |
| Social media | Correct | Usually a spelling error |
| British English | Correct | Incorrect |
| American English | Correct | Incorrect |
| Dictionary-standard form | Yes | No |
Easy Trick to Remember Of Course
Use this simple memory trick:
“Of” and “course” stay on their own course.
Remember that of is a separate preposition and course is a separate noun.
Think of other familiar phrases:
- of course
- of interest
- of value
- of importance
You would not normally combine these into one word.
Another easy test is to remember:
Of course = two words, every time.
If you are writing an email, essay, article, report, or social media post, choose of course.
How to Use Of Course Correctly
The phrase can perform several functions.
1. To Show Agreement
“Will you help me?”
“Of course.”
Here, it means yes or certainly.
2. To Give Permission
“Can I sit here?”
“Of course.”
Here, it gives permission.
3. To Show Something Is Obvious
She knew, of course, that the meeting had been canceled.
Here, it suggests the information is already known or expected.
4. To Show Something Is Not Surprising
He forgot his umbrella and, of course, got wet.
Here, the result is presented as expected.
5. To Emphasize Certainty
Of course, we should check the information first.
Here, the phrase emphasizes the speaker’s certainty.
FAQS
Is “ofcourse” one word?
No. Ofcourse is not the standard English spelling. The correct form is of course, written as two words.
Is “of course” grammatically correct?
Yes. Of course is a standard English idiom used to express agreement, permission, certainty, or an expected situation. (Cambridge Dictionary)
Is “ofcourse” accepted in British English?
No. British English uses of course as two words. Ofcourse is not the standard British spelling.
Is “ofcourse” accepted in American English?
No. American English also uses of course as two words.
Should I write “of course” in formal writing?
Yes, but use it only when it adds meaning. It is grammatically correct in formal writing, although removing it can sometimes make a sentence more direct.
Why do people write “ofcourse”?
People often write ofcourse because the phrase sounds like one unit in fast speech. Typing quickly, autocorrect, and informal online writing can also contribute to the error.
Does “of course” need a comma?
It often takes a comma when it begins a sentence or interrupts a sentence.
Example:
Of course, we can help.
The answer is, of course, obvious.
At the end of a sentence, punctuation depends on the sentence structure:
You can come with us, of course.
Conclusion
The correct spelling is of course, written as two separate words, and ofcourse is not the standard English form.
The phrase means “certainly,” “naturally,” or “yes,” and it can show agreement, permission, certainty, or an expected result.
British and American English use the same spelling, so there is no regional variation to remember.
The easiest way to avoid the mistake is to treat of and course as two separate words every time you write them.
This rule applies to emails, essays, reports, social media, and everyday messages.
For another useful spelling guide, read our related post on “a lot or alot.”
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