(of) average height

[Verona_82]

Hello,

Do we need the preposition in the following pairs of sentences? I've seen examples of both usages and I guess b's are colloquial.

1.a. I'm of average height.
b. I'm average height.

2.a. I'm of medium build.
b. I'm medium build.

3. a. I'm of average weight.
b. I'm average weight.

Thank you.

 

[5jj]

We don't need it.

 

[Verona_82]

Thank you, 5jj.
"I'm average / slim / athletic build" is what strikes me as odd. I'll put the question another way: should the preposition be omitted or is it a matter of preference?

 

[5jj]

"I'm average / slim / athletic build" is what strikes me as odd. I'll put the question another way: should the preposition be omitted or is it a matter of preference?

It's personal choice. In the dream world in which I could say such things, I would probably not use 'of' with 'average' and 'slim', but might; I would definitely use it with 'athletic'.