[Grammar] how do you use this "of"

[curiousmind]

Hi

I know how to use "of" (most of time" ), but this "of" really threw me off :-(

question:
[FONT=&quot]We honestly don’t have much to say that would be of general interest[/FONT].

why do people put "of" there, I also see other usage like that...but I just dont know how to use it.

Please advise!

curiousmind!

 

[corum]

'Be of 'is a phrasal verb and it means: possess intrinsically; give rise to.

We honestly don’t have much to say that would be of (give rise to) general interest.

 

[5jj]

Most writers do nor consider Be of to be a phrasal verb. It is simpler, and more accurate, to consider of interest to be a fixed phrase meaning roughly the same as interesting. Just as we can modify the adjective interesting with such adverbs as very, so we can qualify the noun interest with such adjectives as general.

 

[corum]

It is simpler, and more accurate

Why?

Most writers do nor consider

You surveyed them?

 

[curiousmind]

'Be of 'is a phrasal verb and it means: possess intrinsically; give rise to.

We honestly don’t have much to say that would be of (give rise to) general interest.

thank you.

can you please point me to more examples? Or can you please write more examples for me? thanks!

curious mind

 

[curiousmind]

Most writers do nor consider Be of to be a phrasal verb. It is simpler, and more accurate, to consider of interest to be a fixed phrase meaning roughly the same as interesting. Just as we can modify the adjective interesting with such adverbs as very, so we can qualify the noun interest with such adjectives as general.

this actually hard for me to understand. would you please give more examples...thanks!

 

[5jj]

this actually hard for me to understand. would you please give more examples...thanks!

You may find this interesting. - You may find this of interest.
He had little to say that was particularly interesting. - He had little of particular interest to say.

This is a very important matter. - This is a matter of great importance.

 

[curiousmind]

You may find this interesting. - You may find this of interest.
He had little to say that was particularly interesting. - He had little of particular interest to say.

This is a very important matter. - This is a matter of great importance.

yes, yes, I saw that a lot! I never understood it!!

I got it now! so happy!

interesting = of interest (roughly...because you have to change the phrase around..)

and "give rise to" is also a good explanation, much easier to understand!!!

thank you both!

 

[Tdol]

There are differences of interpretation and definition about what makes a phrasal verb, and some verbs that are commonly listed as phrasal verbs may be better described as verb + preposition combinations, etc, and our phrasal verb list would include many of these, favouring practicality over purity.

Can I once again ask people to discuss ideas rather than questioning the knowledge/integrity etc of other posters- snarkiness doesn't advance causes or views and only serves to raise the temprature of the forum.

 

[5jj]

There are differences of interpretation and definition about what makes a phrasal verb, and some verbs that are commonly listed as phrasal verbs may be better described as verb + preposition combinations, etc, and our phrasal verb list would include many of these, favouring practicality over purity..

The UsingEnglish list is here: English Phrasal Verbs

My own thoughts on what makes a phrasal verb are here: http://www.gramorak.com/Articles/Phrasal.pdf

 

[corum]

There are differences of interpretation and definition about what makes a phrasal verb, and some verbs that are commonly listed as phrasal verbs may be better described as verb + preposition combinations, etc, and our phrasal verb list would include many of these, favouring practicality over purity.

Can I once again ask people to discuss ideas rather than questioning the knowledge/integrity etc of other posters- snarkiness doesn't advance causes or views and only serves to raise the temprature of the forum.

Thank you, Richard!

The Collins Cobuild Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs concentrates on one particular aspect of the grammar and vocabulary of English: combination of verbs with adverbial or prepositional particles.

These combinations are generally called phrasal verbs.

CC, second edition

 

[curiousmind]

The UsingEnglish list is here: English Phrasal Verbs

My own thoughts on what makes a phrasal verb are here: http://www.gramorak.com/Articles/Phrasal.pdf

I checked both, and sorry, there is nothing about "Be of"

I came across another sentence again

His body is of a compelling white color with a rosy gleam

what is "of" doing here???
it surely doesnt mean "interest" or "interesting"

thanks!

 

[curiousmind]

can anyone kindly answer my questions above?

thanks!

 

[lauralie2]

His body is of a compelling white color with a rosy gleam

• His body is the color of a compelling white
• His body is of a compelling white color

 

[curiousmind]

• His body is the color of a compelling white
• His body is of a compelling white color

thanks, does it work for every "of" sentence ?

can you please give me 2 more examples?

thanks!

curious mind!

 

[5jj]

..., does it work for every "of" sentence ? Of course not. Many colleagues of mine could confirm this.

can you please give me 2 more examples? Of what?

5

 

[lauralie2]

thanks, does it work for every "of" sentence ?

Well, I don't know....Let's check it out.

The following are examples of "is of a" which I found doing a random search:

• His body is of a compelling white colour
  • has/is described as having a compelling white color
• The blood is of a bright scarlet colour.
  • has/is described as having a bright scarlet colour
• The ball is of a specified diameter.
  • has/is described as having a specified diameter
• who is of a working class background
  • who has/is described as having/coming from a working class background
• a value or variable is of a given type
  • has/is described as having a give type
• The Sanskrit language, whatever be its antiquity, is of a wonderful structure
  • has/is described as having a wonderful structure

The following are examples of "is of":

• It is of interest to me.
  • has/holds interest to me
• The copy is of sufficient resolution
  • has sufficient resolution
• ...is satisfied whatever r if the diffraction vector (OH = sh/λ - so/λ) is of the form:
  • has the form
• ...the person saying the word is of a high class because
  • has/holds high class because

The following are examples of "is of the":

• Time is of the essence.
  • has/holds the essence
• ...a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance
  • has/holds the greatest importance

Well, as you can see, it seems to work, which isn't to say it works with all examples of the type. Nevertheless, it's safe to say that 'has' is a fair interpretation for "is of" in the examples above.