The pronunciation of unstressed 'of'

[joham]

In LONGMAN ESSENTIAL ACTIVATOR:

The 'of' in 'ahead of time', 'out of order' etc, is marked with the same pronunciation as in 'a lot of'. But the 'of' in 'make use of' and 'ahead of me' 'in front of me' and 'be tired of/be sick of sth' is marked with the same pronunciation as in 'That's the way I thought of'.

I'd like to ask if native speakers pronounce the unstressed 'of' in these two ways respectively and how we can decide on the difference between them?

Thank you in advance.

[riquecohen]

In LONGMAN ESSENTIAL ACTIVATOR:

The 'of' in 'ahead of time', 'out of order' etc, is marked with the same pronunciation as in 'a lot of'. But the 'of' in 'make use of' and 'ahead of me' 'in front of me' and 'be tired of/be sick of sth' is marked with the same pronunciation as in 'That's the way I thought of'.

I'd like to ask if native speakers pronounce the unstressed 'of' in these two ways respectively and how we can decide on the difference between them?

Thank you in advance.

This native (AmE) speaker sees no difference in pronunciation.

[5jj]

This native (AmE) speaker sees no difference in pronunciation.

Neither does this native (BrE) speaker.

The Longman Essential Activator appears to be wrong.

[joham]

Then the 'of' in all these phrases should be pronounced as in 'a lot of', am I right?
Thank you again.

[5jj]

Then the 'of' in all these phrases should be pronounced as in 'a lot of', am I right?

You are.