Of
UK /["/əv//ɒv/"]/US /["/əv//ʌv/"]/
Definition
belonging to somebody; relating to somebody
In simple words: shows a relationship between things, often to indicate belonging or connection.
Examples
- The book is on the table of my friend.
- She is a member of the team.
- He is afraid of heights.
- This is a picture of my family.
- He is one of the best players in the league.
Usage notes
Used to show relationships like possession or origin. Avoid overusing it in complex sentences to maintain clarity.
Grammar pattern
preposition + noun
Memory hint
Think of 'of' as a bridge connecting words, similar to 'love' connects hearts.
Collocations
- part of
- kind of
- out of
- a piece of
- a lot of
Synonyms
- from
- out of
- about
Antonyms
- not
- without
Common mistakes
- Confused with 'have' in possessive constructions.
- Using 'of' instead of 'from' when indicating origin.
- Incorrect placement in phrasal expressions.