the difference between of course, sure and certainly.

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ESL forum > Ask for help > the difference between of course, sure and certainly.

the difference between of course, sure and certainly.

Nizarsouth

the difference between of course, sure and certainly.

Hi colleagues!

I �d like to ask about the difference between of course, certainly and sure and which one is more common than the others in writing and speaking?

Thanks a lot for your help.

3 Dec 2011

Apodo

I can �t read your contribution ueslteacher??? All little black squares.

Here �s how I use the words:

The words are quite similar. It is just a matter of usage.

For me: Sure is informal (US English) but heard everywhere now. Certainly is more formal.

Informal use:

Can I come too? Sure

Can I come too? Of course you can. (Of course sounds a bit abrupt without You can etc. )

Are you going? Of course. (Abrupt on purpose:Why would you think I �m not going?)

More formal:

May I pay by credit card? Certainly Sir.

May I pay by credit card? Of course Sir. We have credit card facilities at the main desk.

4 Dec 2011

joy2bill

Always be careful with �of course �. It is quite abrupt and can convey the meaning of �why are you asking that question...everyone knows that answer to that. �

Man speaking to alien from Outer Space. "Do you come from Venus?"

Alien: Of course (thinking, "Can �t you see that my skin is green and I have little antennae on my head. I �m obviously not human!")

4 Dec 2011