‘Of Course’ or ‘Ofcourse’: Which is Correct?

By Amy Gilmore, updated on October 31, 2022

Some words or terms cause confusion no matter how many times you use them. 'Of course' or 'ofcourse' is one of those. However, it is one of the more straightforward grammar questions to answer. 

  • 'Of course' is grammatically correct.
  • 'Ofcourse' is not.

This guide includes grammar rules, examples, and tips to help you remember the proper usage of this and other confusing words in the future. 

Is 'Of Course' or 'Ofcourse' Correct?

Some words have more than one correct spelling. When it comes to 'of course' or 'ofcourse,' 'of course' is always two words. 

Some similar words are shortened when you use them together. However, that is not the case with 'of course,' which is always two words. 

Why is 'Of Course' Two Words?

The English language combines some words to create a single word with the same meaning. These terms have been in use for a very long time, most of which were shortened from longer phrases made up of an adverb and a verb or an adjective and a noun. 

There are no cases where it is grammatically correct to combine 'of,' which is a preposition, with another word. Furthermore, the term 'of course' comes from a longer phrase, 'matter of course,' which is already shortened. 

Why Do So Many People Spell 'Ofcourse' Incorrectly?

There are cases when 'off' is used to create one word out of two. That may be why people forget whether 'of course' or 'ofcourse' is correct. 

Most modern spellcheckers should correct the error, and autocorrect features often change the spelling without you ever knowing. Nevertheless, 'of course' is a commonly misspelled word. 

What Does 'Of Course' Mean?

'Of course' is a term that implies an action, idea, or event is evident. It is often used as a response to a request and comes from the old-fashioned word 'matter of course.' 

A 'matter, of course,' should be assumed because it would naturally happen anyway. Today, it has a similar meaning to 'without a doubt,' 'absolutely,' or 'it would be my pleasure.'

Examples: 

  • Person One: Would you mind taking the trash out? 
  • Person Two: 'Of course' not. 
  • Person One: Did you remember to turn in your assignment? 
  • Person Two: 'Of course.
  • Person One: Will you be attending Ben and Cindy's wedding? 
  • Person Two: 'Of course! I wouldn't miss it.' 

You can also use it to say something is obvious.

For example:

  • 'Of course,' I do not mind if you spend the night at our house, but the hotel down the street might be more comfortable.
  • 'Of course,' I do not mind if you come early, but your presence is unnecessary until 5:30 p.m.

Similar Confusing Words

The spelling of 'of course' confuses people because there are similar words that the English language combines.

Some of the words that are commonly connected include: 

  • 'No'
  • 'Where'
  • 'Way'
  • 'Any'
  • 'One'
  • 'Some'
  • 'How'
  • 'About'
  • 'Off'
  • 'Time'
  • 'Some'

Here are a few examples: 

  • 'Nohow' - It not possible, 'nohow,' noway. 
  • 'Noway; - 'Noway' will she win the election. 
  • 'Somewhere' - We want to have the party 'somewhere' with natural beauty. 
  • 'Anyone' - 'Anyone' with experience will do for the job. 
  • 'Anywhere' - Do not spend that much money. You can buy that 'anywhere.' 
  • 'Whereabouts' - The suspicious man's 'whereabouts' on the night of the incident is a mystery. 
  • 'Roundabout' - The 'roundabout' they put in confuses people.
  • 'Offsite' - The set is being made 'offsite.' 
  • 'Offroad' - His new car has 'offroad' tires. 
  • 'Offbeat' - Usually, the choir is fantastic, but this week they were really 'offbeat.'

Final Advice on 'Of Course' and Other Confusing Words

It is not uncommon for writers to question themselves from time to time when it comes to confusing words like 'of course,' 'nowhere,' 'rapport,' 'however,' and others. Being a great writer doesn't mean questioning your spelling or word usage. 

A fantastic writer does take measures to ensure that their writing is accurate, though. Tools like Grammarly are excellent for catching most errors. However, they are not perfect. So, bookmark this website.

That way, the next you wonder if the correct form is 'ofcourse' or 'of course,' you can quickly verify. This extra step will help you craft more professional business emails, whether writing a thank you, a two-week notice, or a client update. 

We encourage you to share this article on Twitter and Facebook. Just click those two links - you'll see why.

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Written By:
Amy Gilmore
Amy Gilmore is one of the lead freelance writers for WritingTips.org. She has been a professional writer and editor for the past eight years. She developed a love of language arts and literature in school and decided to become a professional freelance writer after a demanding career in real estate. Amy is constantly learning to become a better writer and loves sharing tips with other writers who want to do the same.

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