>> ZG·Lingua >  >> Theoretical Linguistics >> Semantics

What does of mean?

"Of" is a very versatile word in English. It has many different meanings and functions depending on the context. Here are some of the most common:

1. Possession/Belonging:

* The book of Jane: This means the book that belongs to Jane.

* The legs of the table: These are the legs that are part of the table.

2. Part of a Whole:

* Half of the cake: This refers to a portion of the whole cake.

* Two out of three: This indicates a specific quantity taken from a larger group.

3. Relationship/Connection:

* The city of London: This connects the city to its name.

* The king of England: This describes the king's role and connection to England.

4. Source/Origin:

* A book made of paper: This describes the material from which the book is made.

* A story told of a hero: This indicates where the story originates.

5. Description/Characteristic:

* A man of great strength: This describes the man's characteristic.

* A dress of red: This indicates the color of the dress.

6. Multiplication/Division:

* Three times the size of: This is a mathematical function where "of" indicates multiplication.

* A quarter of the price: This is a mathematical function where "of" indicates division.

7. Prepositional Phrase:

* The cat jumped out of the box: This phrase is a prepositional phrase where "of" acts as the preposition.

8. Other Uses:

* Of course: This expresses certainty or agreement.

* What of it?: This expresses indifference or disinterest.

It's important to consider the context of the sentence to understand the specific meaning of "of" in each case.

Copyright © www.zgghmh.com ZG·Lingua All rights reserved.