English Profile

of · preposition

/ɑv/Full view

of (BELONG)

A1 belonging or relating to someone or something

Dictionary examples:

a friend of mine

the color of her hair

part of the problem

employees of the company

Learner example:

The name of my friend is Maria. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Arabic)

of (AMOUNT)

A1 used after words that show an amount

Dictionary examples:

a pound of potatoes

loads of food

hundreds of people

most of them

none of them

both of us

a third of all people

a drop of rain

Learner example:

She has a lot of flowers in her room. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; French)

of (CONTAINING)

A1 containing

Dictionary examples:

a bag of popcorn

a bottle of water

a book of short stories

bags of groceries

Learner example:

I like cups of tea, I like noodles, but I don't like beef. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Mandarin)

of (NUMBER)

A1 used with numbers, ages and dates

Dictionary examples:

an essay of 500 words

a boy of six

the 14th of February 2005

Learner example:

The class started [on] the 2nd of June at half past five. (Key English Test; A2; Spanish)

of course

A1 used to say "yes" and emphasize your answer

Dictionary example:

"Can you help me?" "Of course!"

Learner example:

Yes of course I can come. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Polish)

of (POSITION)

A2 used in expressions showing position

Dictionary examples:

the top of his head

the back of your dress

on the corner of the street

the front of the line

They live in a suburb west of Toronto.

Learner example:

First you [go] pas[t] [a] big supermarket on the corner of my street. (Skills for Life (Entry 2); A2; Polish)

of (SHOW)

A2 showing someone or something

Dictionary examples:

a map of downtown

a photo of my family

Learner example:

Tony gave me a photo of Henry. (Key English Test; A2; Chinese)

of (COMPARING)

A2 used when comparing related things

Dictionary examples:

Worst of all was the food!

He's the oldest of the three brothers.

I think that of all his films, this one is my favorite.

Learner example:

The best of all was a necklace. (Key English Test; A2; Russian)

of course not

A2 used to say "no" and emphasize your answer

Dictionary example:

"Do you mind if I borrow your pen?" "Of course not."

Learner example:

"Pardon. You said your [u]ncle's will? Would you mind explaining [that], please?" "Of course not!" (First Certificate in English; B2; Catalan)

of (WHO/WHAT)

B1 used to show who or what does something

Dictionary examples:

the works of Shakespeare

the arrival of the rainy season

the music of Spain

Learner example:

They often cover the music of "The Beatles" or "The Rolling Stones". (Preliminary English Test; B1; German)

of (CAUSE)

B1 showing a reason or cause

Dictionary example:

He died of cancer.

Learner example:

But, three months later, after walk[ing] in the rain he died of pneumonia. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Portuguese)

of course

B1 used to show that what you are saying is obvious or already known

Dictionary example:

Of course, the Olympics are not just about money.

Learner example:

Of course, I met many new people. (Preliminary English Test; B1; German)

of (JUDGMENT)

B2 used after an adjective when judging someone's behavior

Dictionary examples:

It was very nice of you to think of us.

It was a bit mean of him to say that!

Thank you so much for my present. How thoughtful of you.

Learner example:

It was most thoughtful of you to invite us and I warmly appreciate your hospitality. (First Certificate in English; B2; Polish)

of (RELATING TO)

C1 about or relating to

Dictionary examples:

Speaking of Elizabeth, here she is.

Let us consider the events of the last five months.

We know very little of her childhood.

Learner example:

Speaking of sightseeing, many thought that visiting other sights - like the Folk Museum - should not be compulsory. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Danish)

of (BEFORE)

C1 used to say "before" the hour when you are saying what time it is

Dictionary example:

It's ten of five.

of little/no consequence

C1 not important

Dictionary example:

The money was of little consequence to Tony.

Learner example:

Second, the downpour of rain which was mentioned was in fact nothing more than a small shower, of no significant consequence for the dance display and horse show. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Portuguese)

of your own accord

C2 If you do something of your own accord, you choose to do it and no one else forces you.

Dictionary example:

She left of her own accord.

Learner example:

She would go alone, but it was something that was chosen of her own accord. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)