prep
of
ov
prep
1
Used to show that something belongs to, or is a part of, something else.
"The cover of the book was torn."
"She is a friend of mine."
2
Used to indicate what something is made from or consists of.
"The bridge was built of stone."
3
Used to indicate the source, cause, or origin of something.
"He died of a broken heart, or so the story goes."
4
Used to introduce the subject that something is about or concerns.
"They spoke of old times."
How to Use Of
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOne of the most common words in English, used to link a noun to what it belongs to, is made of, or concerns.
Common mistake
"Of" and "have" sound alike in casual speech, which leads to the common writing error "could of" instead of the correct "could have".
Easily confused with
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The cover _____ the book was torn.
Etymology
From Old English of, originally meaning "away from" — the same word that eventually split into both "of" and "off" in Middle English.