English can be a tricky language, even for native speakers. You’re texting a friend, writing an email, or maybe typing up a social media caption. You want to say something like, “Of course, I’ll be there!” But wait… is it “of course” or “ofcourse”? Suddenly, that one phrase—so natural when you say it out loud—turns into a grammar puzzle.
If you’ve ever found yourself hesitating between “of course” and “ofcourse,” you’re far from alone. This mistake shows up everywhere—texts, blog posts, resumes, and even on official websites. The confusion makes sense, too. We combine other words like “cannot” or “anyone” without thinking twice. So why wouldn’t “ofcourse” be okay?
But here’s the truth: while “ofcourse” sounds right and looks familiar, it’s not correct English—at least not yet. The only proper form is “of course,” two separate words. In this article, we’ll break down why that’s the case, where the confusion comes from, how to remember the correct form, and a whole lot more. By the end, you’ll never second-guess yourself again—and you might even catch other people’s mistakes, too.
We’ll also touch on how spellcheckers sometimes betray us, how autocorrect can spread bad habits, and why this tiny grammar slip could actually hurt your professional credibility. Let’s dive in and finally settle this once and for all.
Quick Answer: “Of Course” Is Correct, “Ofcourse” Is Not
Let’s not waste any time—the correct phrase is “of course.”
It’s made up of two separate words:
- “Of” – a preposition
- “Course” – a noun
“Ofcourse” is not a real word in standard English. You won’t find it in any dictionary, and no style guide recommends it. If you’ve been writing it that way, now’s the time to stop.
Rule of thumb: If you’re not sure, try saying it out loud with a small pause.
“Of… course, I’ll help you.”
That slight pause shows they’re two distinct words.
Why “Of Course” Is the Right Choice
“Of course” is a prepositional phrase that has been around for centuries. It literally means something that happens in the natural course of events—or something that should happen naturally or inevitably.
For example:
- “Of course, I remembered your birthday.”
- “He said yes, of course.”
It works just like other phrases such as:
- “Of value”
- “Of interest”
- “Of importance”
The structure is clear: the preposition “of” leads into a noun that defines the nature or condition of something. Over time, “of course” took on a conversational tone, signaling certainty, agreement, or approval.
Examples That Make It Crystal Clear
Here are some ways to use “of course” correctly in real life:
- “Of course, I’ll be at the meeting.”
- “Did you bring the keys?” – “Of course I did.”
- “Can you help me move this weekend?” – “Of course!”
- “She was, of course, the top student in her class.”
- “We’ll pay you on time—of course.”
Now let’s see some incorrect ones:
- ❌ “Ofcourse I’ll help.”
- ❌ “He is ofcourse a good player.”
- ❌ “Ofcourse, you can come.”
These may seem small or harmless, but to editors, employers, and grammar-savvy readers, they stand out instantly.
Why Does “Ofcourse” Look So Right to So Many People?
Here’s where things get interesting. Our brains like to simplify and streamline patterns. And English is full of compound words like:
- Cannot
- Everyone
- Anytime
- Sometimes
- Without
So it’s no surprise that many assume “of course” should follow the same rule and become “ofcourse.” But this is a classic false analogy.
“Of course” never merged into a single word like “because” or “therefore” did. It’s one of those phrases that stuck to its original form despite modern trends.
A Brief History of the Phrase “Of Course”
The phrase “of course” dates back to the 1600s, possibly earlier. In its early uses, it meant something that follows a natural path or expected sequence of events. Over time, it gained a tone of agreement, politeness, and even sarcasm in conversation.
Writers like Shakespeare and Charles Dickens used the phrase in their works, always keeping it as two words. It’s one of those expressions that never changed spelling—and likely never will.
How Autocorrect and Spellcheck Make Things Worse
If you’ve typed “ofcourse” on your phone and didn’t get a red squiggly line—you’re not alone.
Some keyboard apps, especially on Android or iOS, are less strict about grammar. They might even learn your bad habits and stop correcting them.
Even apps like:
- WhatsApp
- Instagram
- Google Docs
- Notion
…might let “ofcourse” slide, especially in informal contexts. But remember—just because your phone allows it doesn’t mean it’s correct.
Is “Ofcourse” Ever Acceptable in Slang or Dialects?
Let’s keep it real—no, “ofcourse” is not recognized in any standard dialect of English, including:
- British English
- American English
- Australian English
- Canadian English
However, some people intentionally use “ofcourse” in informal writing, social posts, or even memes, either to:
- Save time
- Sound casual
- Mimic how it sounds in speech
That doesn’t make it correct, but it explains why you might see it online.
What Do Style Guides and Grammar Tools Say?
- Merriam-Webster Dictionary: No entry for “ofcourse.”
- Oxford English Dictionary: Recognizes only “of course.”
- APA Style & Chicago Manual of Style: Always use “of course.”
- Grammarly & Hemingway App: Both flag “ofcourse” as incorrect.
These aren’t just arbitrary rules—they reflect centuries of standard English usage. If you’re writing professionally or academically, there’s no wiggle room here.
Let’s Talk Spacing, Hyphenation, and Grammar Patterns
One reason “ofcourse” feels plausible is that we often confuse it with phrases like:
- Everyday vs. Every day
- Cannot vs. Can not
- All right vs. Alright
But here’s the golden rule:
- If you can naturally separate the words and they still make sense—don’t combine them.
“Of course” = “in the natural course of things.”
You can’t do that with “ofcourse,” because it simply doesn’t exist.
Using “Of Course” in Professional Writing
In emails, reports, or academic papers, “of course” can sound polite and reassuring:
- “Of course, I’ll submit the files by Friday.”
- “Of course, we understand your concerns.”
- “You are, of course, entitled to a refund.”
But in formal writing, you might want to swap it with more precise alternatives:
- “Certainly”
- “Without question”
- “Naturally”
- “It goes without saying”
These can sound more polished and objective depending on context.
Hilarious “Ofcourse” Mistakes from Around the Web
Let’s lighten things up. Here are real examples (names removed for privacy):
“Ofcourse I’m late again lol.”
“We guarantee our service. Ofcourse we do!”
“Ofcourse, she said yes to the dress.”
The problem? They look like typos to editors, hiring managers, or English teachers. And once you see it—you can’t unsee it.
Easy Tricks to Remember the Correct Form
Struggling to remember? Try these:
- Mnemonic: “If in doubt, split it out.”
- Visual: Think of the phrase riding “on course”—and you need the “of” to set it up.
- Rhyme:
“You’re on course, of course. Don’t lose the space, or you’ll fall off pace.”
Practice writing it a few times in real sentences. Muscle memory works wonders.
Quick Grammar Recap
- “Of course” – always correct
- “Ofcourse” – never correct
- Use in speech, writing, and texting—but always as two words
- Watch out for autocorrect errors
- Stay professional in emails, documents, and resumes
How to Fix It in Your Writing
Want to scrub your documents clean of “ofcourse”? Try this:
- Use Ctrl+F (or Command+F) to search “ofcourse”
- Replace with “of course”
- Run your doc through Grammarly or Quillbot for extra polish
- Set up a custom correction in your phone or computer’s keyboard settings
Other Common Word Confusions: Know the Difference
Here’s a handy cheat sheet:
| ❌ Incorrect | ✅ Correct |
| ofcourse | of course |
| alot | a lot |
| everytime | every time |
| infact | in fact |
| aswell | as well |
| atleast | at least |
These word pairs are frequent offenders. Bookmark this list and stay ahead.
10 More Bonus Grammar Insights
- Language Simplification Bias – Humans love shortcuts, but grammar doesn’t always follow logic.
- Social Media Grammar Trends – Platforms like TikTok & Twitter normalize wrong forms.
- Phonetics Confuse Spelling – “Ofcourse” sounds natural, so people write it as one.
- ESL Learning Curve – English learners often adopt errors they see online.
- Early Education Errors – Some kids memorize misspellings early and carry them for years.
- Fun Learning Tools – Games like GrammarlyGO or Wordle-style apps can help with memorization.
- Publisher Standards – Reputable dictionaries and editors never accept “ofcourse.”
- Memes & Pop Culture – Even when it’s funny, it spreads bad grammar habits.
- Translations in Other Languages – Most languages keep it two words too.
- Bad Grammar = Bad Impression – Especially in resumes, proposals, or dating apps!
Conclusion: Now You Know—Use It with Confidence
Let’s recap: “Of course” is always right. “Ofcourse” is always wrong.
It may feel like a small slip, but mastering these details is what separates strong writers from the rest.
Whether you’re sending a text, updating your LinkedIn profile, or writing your next big novel, using “of course” correctly shows polish, intelligence, and clarity.
So next time you see “ofcourse,” give it a second look—and give yourself a little pat on the back for knowing better.
Lily Grace 
Ruby Skye