of - be of good quality

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uniopp

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Can someone explain the following "of"?
Your gift should be of good quality but modestly priced. When you plan to give a gift to several people within an organisation, be sure to give a gift of greater value to the senior person.
Are they both the same type of "of"? Can I drop the first one and just say "be good quality"?
How about this one, is it the same kind of "of" -
be of help
Any other examples of the structure and how to use would be much appreciated.
Thank you.
 

Chicken Sandwich

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NOT A TEACHER

Yes, they're the same kind of "of". Leaving out "of" is not possible.

Your gift should be of good quality but modestly priced. :tick:

Your gift should be good quality but modestly priced. :cross:
 

tzfujimino

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Hello.:-D
This sort of '(be+) of + (abstract) noun' basically functions like an adjective in my opinion.
Please see here (definition #9): Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary

be of value = be valuable
be of help = be helpful
be of quality = be very good

etc...

I hope I'm not talking nonsense.
 

uniopp

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Thanks for the replies.

The Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary was very helpful.

The "be" is also confusing. Can you correct/complete the following -

be of value
be= ?????
of= preposition
value= abstract noun (must this always be an abstract noun?)

be valuable
be= ?????
valuable= adjective

Am I correct to say that "be of ......." is the abstract noun form and "be ......" is the adjective form??

Is the "of" preposition always required??

Thanks.
 

tzfujimino

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Thanks for the replies.

The Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary was very helpful.

The "be" is also confusing. Can you correct/complete the following -

be of value
be= ????? I'm not really sure what you're confused about. "be= verb" - Is this what you're asking about?
of= preposition
value= abstract noun (must this always be an abstract noun?) We need some native speakers' opinions, I suppose.

be valuable

be= ????? Please see above.
valuable= adjective

Am I correct to say that "be of ......." is the abstract noun form Yes, after the preposition 'of' you'll need a noun.
and "be ......" is the adjective form?? To express the same idea, yes, I think so.

Is the "of" preposition always required?? We need some advice from native speakers.

Thanks.

Hello, again.:-D
My comments are in blue.
Please wait for native speakers to reply.
 
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