[Grammar] done a great job looking after her residents

[kadioguy]

On Lee Hsien Loong's Facebook Page, he says:

Spent the morning enjoying Jalan Kayu Day with Intan Mokhtar and her residents. Had a fun time at the games and activity booths, specially set up for the occasion!

What brings a community together is not just bonding activities, but shared goals and a concern for one another. Today we launched the Jalan Kayu Child Development Account Top up Scheme, which will help low-income families build up a nest egg for their little ones.

Intan has done a great job looking after her residents. My thanks to her, and the sponsors that made today possible! Happy to see the strong community spirit in Jalan Kayu! – LHL
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Does the sentence mean 'Intan has done a great job (of) looking after her residents.'? Or is 'looking after her residents' in apposition to 'a great job'?

 

[Matthew Wai]

A great job of looking after her residents.

 

[kadioguy]

But why does he omit 'of'?

 

[Matthew Wai]

I would not omit 'of'.

 

[kadioguy]

The sentence is possible with or without 'of'.

Could you tell me more?
I can't find this usage (omit 'of') in the dictionary.

 

[Matthew Wai]

Without 'of', 'looking after' is a present participle modifying the subject 'Intan', but I still prefer not to omit 'of'.

 

[Matthew Wai]

Intan has done a great job looking after her residents.

I take it to mean 'While looking after her residents, Intan has done a great job.'
'Has done' suggests a completed action, while 'looking after', a present participle here, suggests an ongoing action, so I think they do not match very well. Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[tedmc]

I take it to mean 'While looking after her residents, Intan has done a great job.'
'Has done' suggests a completed action, while 'looking after', a present participle here, suggests an ongoing action, so I think they do not match very well. Please correct me if I am wrong.

I think "looking after her residents" is a participial phrase modifying "job". The timing of the action of "looking after" is not relevant here.

 

[Matthew Wai]

How could a job look after people? It is the person who does the job looks after them.

 

[tedmc]

How could a job look after people? It is the person who does the job looks after them.

It is a job of looking after people.

 

[Matthew Wai]

Yes, that's why I prefer not to omit 'of' after 'job'.

 

[tzfujimino]

It is the person who does the job looks after them.

(Off topic)
That's an interesting construction, Matthew.

 

[Matthew Wai]

I think it should be rewritten as 'It is the person who does the job who looks after them'.