of and off
These two simple words are often used incorrectly. My students both English and non-English are sometimes tripped up by these two.
The sound of them is different, and this can help you choose the right one.
Watch the video below or read on. There's an exercise after.
of sounds like "ov" with a soft 'v' sound. It's usually very unstressed, quickly pronounced and usually swallowed up by other words and hard to hear. (You can listen for this on the video). of is the only word with -f- that has a “v” sound.
There are many uses of of.
A cup of tea. The toilet is out of order. A lot of people.
I've got lots of problems. A bunch of flowers. This bag is made ofleather.
Some of my friends are vegetarian. Some people are afraid of dogs.
What's the point of this exercise?
Of course not.
In the middle of ...
A shortage of...
A pair of...
A sort of...
The beginning of...
A slice of
When you listen to the video check out my pronunciation of of and listen to how the consonant before the of slides into and joins the of "a cupov tea" "the pointov" "a lotov" "afraidov"
off is a stronger sound with a hard 'f'. on and off
We usually use off with a verb to make phrasal verbs =
verb + off - take off, put off, run off, taking off, ran off, get off (all have different meanings in different situations. Check in a good dictionary or phrasal verb dictionary for all the possible meanings.)
Get off the bus. Take off the plaster.
Turn off. Off and on. Turn off at the next exit.
Switch off the light.
The plane took off on time.
He ran off.
Get off.
Put off.
*CAREFUL. The sound 'ov' is like the short form 've (have) and many people confuse them and put of instead of 've.
I should've = I should have (NOT 'I should of')
You would've = You would have (NOT 'You would of')
I could've = I could have (not 'I could of')
Rewrite the sentences below and fill in the gaps with of or off:
1. How do you turn this computer ___?
2. Do you want a cup ___ tea or coffee?
3. I've got lots ___ problems.
4. I can't put ___ arranging another driving test any longer - I don't know why I'm afraid ___ doing the test again.
5. Thanks for the lift, you can drop me ___ just here.
6. There are a lot ___ opportunities in London.
7. You should have turned ___ the motorway at junction eight now we have to get ___ at the next one.
8. What's the point ___ this exercise?
9. I bought a lovely big bunch ___ flowers for two pounds/ £2.
10. I've got an appointment at 9 but I should have made it for the afternoon because I have loads ___ things to do in the morning.
Check those of and off carefully, and think about your mistakes.
Answers
1. How do you turn this computer off?
2. Do you want a cup of tea or coffee?
3. I've got lots of problems.
4. I can't put off arranging another driving test any longer - I don't know why I'm afraid of doing the test again.
5. Thanks for the lift, you can drop me off just here.
6. There are a lot of business opportunities in London.
7. You should have turned off the motorway at junction eight now we have to get off at the next one.
8. What's the point of this exercise?
9. I bought a lovely big bunch of flowers for two pounds/ £2.
10. I've got an appointment at 9 but I should have made it for the afternoon because I have loads of things to do in the morning.