claro que si or por supuesto
What is the difference between these two phrases?
4 Answers
Las dos son correctas y pueden ser usadas para dar una respuesta afirmativa.
"Claro que sí" es una respuesta afirmativa explícita.
"Por supuesto", también es una respuesta afirmativa pero implícita, aunque pude darse mas énfasis escribiendo o diciendo "Por supuesto que sí".
Ahora si quieres responder en forma negativa, puedes hacerlo de forma explícita,
"Claro que no". "Por supuesto que no"
Well, I hope you can understand it in spanish, although I think yes. But I will try to write in english the nex time because I can't write it well yet.
The only difference is that if you want to imply that the respondant should already know the answer, as if it is common knowledge, then "Por su puesto" can be used to indicate this nuance. The intonation in this case is slightly different from that used when "Por su puesto" is the same as "Claro que sí." I have just basically expanded upon Francot´s answer.
Hm, the only difference I can think of is that you can't use 'Claro que sí ' in response to a negative sentence; you'd have to change it to 'Claro que no.'
For example:
No vamos sin él, ¿verdad? ---> We're not going without him, are we?
¡Claro que no! ---> Of course we're not!
If you say, 'Claro que sí' then it would mean 'Of course we are!', which is both the opposite of the previous example and a sad situation for the dude who gets left behind. 
However, I think that when you say 'Por supuesto,' you are confirming the previous statement whether it is negative or positive.
Someone please check me on that, 'cause I'm not certain! :D Hope it helps.
Achsah
None to my knowledge, but let's see if a native Spanish speaker has anything to add.
