Today we answer a question from Alan in China. He writes:
Question: “I know that people always say ‘Certainly!’ or ‘Of course’. So what's the difference? Thank you!” – Alan
Answer: Dear Alan, thank you for writing to us.
The expressions “CERTAINLY” and “OF COURSE” are similar in meaning. What is different is how you use them and with whom.
similar in meaning: similares en significado; what is different is: lo que es diferente es; how you use them: cómo se usan; and with whom: y con quién;
CERTAINLY
By definition, the word “CERTAINLY" means that you know something for sure.
by definition: por definición; something for sure: algo con total seguridad;
This is the more formal, or official-sounding, of the two words. In a world that is becoming more socially informal, you are less likely to use the word “CERTAINLY.” But here is an example:
the more formal: la más formal; official-sounding: la que suena más formal; that is becoming: que está transformándose en; more socially informal: más informal socialmente; you are less likely to use: es menos probable que se use;
You are in a meeting with your supervisor at work. She says to you, “Do you think you can have your report ready by next Friday?”
in a meeting with: en una junta o reunión con; supervisor: jefa o superior inmediata; at work: en el trabajo; you can have: (que) puedes tener; your report ready: listo/preparado tu informe/reporte; by next Friday: para el próximo viernes;
You may answer: “Yes, CERTAINLY. It will be ready by then”.
There is no question in your mind the report will be ready!
it wil be ready: estará listo; by then: para entonces; there is no question: no cabe duda alguna; in your mind: en tu mente, en tu cabeza;
OF COURSE
Now we turn to the term “OF COURSE”.
It is defined this way: “used informally to give permission or say yes in a way that shows you are very certain”.
now we turn to the term: ahora pasamos al término/palabra; it is defined this way: se lo define de esta manera; used informally o give permission: utilizado informalmente para dar permiso; in a way that shows: de una manera que muestra; you are very certain: (que) estás completamente seguro;
You are more likely to use “OF COURSE” when speaking with friends.
you are more likely to use: es más probable que uses; when speaking with friends: cuando conversas con amigos;
For example, your friend Tom asks:
“Do you want to go to the party with me Saturday night?”
You may answer:
“OF COURSE! I’d love to go, sounds fun!”
you may answer: puede que tú respondas; I'd love to go: me encantaría ir; sounds fun: suena divertido;
SURE - ALL RIGHT (ALRIGHT) - OK (OKAY)
Other, similar words you can use are “SURE” and “ALL RIGHT”.
other similar words: otras palabras similares (que); sure: sin duda alguna; all right/alright: perfecto, totalmente de acuerdo;
“SURE” leaves no question in anyone’s mind.
leaves no question: no deja duda alguna; in anyone's mind: en la mente de nadie;
Let’s go to the beach for the weekend!
¡Vayamos a la playa por el fin de semana!
SURE that would be great!
¡SIN DUDAS será fantástico!
The words “all right” mean that you agree with what someone said. The difference is you can use this term if you are not happy about it.
mean that you agree: significan que estás de acuerdo; with what someone said: con lo que alguien dijo; the difference is: la diferencia radica (en que); you can use this term: puedes usar esta expresión; if you are not happy about it: si no te satisface mucho la propuesta;
Here is an example:
Can you help me finish my work?
¿Puedes ayudarme a terminar mi tarea?
ALL RIGHT, but only for an hour.
DE ACUERDO, pero sólo por una hora.
You can use it like the term OK (OKAY).
you can use it: puedes usarlo; like the term: como la expresión.
And That’s Ask a Teacher! I’m Anne Ball.
