Introduction
Both native speakers and non-native speakers of the language may occasionally struggle with the English language. When used in our writing or regular discussions, several words in our vocabulary could confuse us. The English language has thousands of word pairs that are nearly identical in pronunciation and are related in a variety of ways. Because they sound so similar, the pair of words is referred to as a "homophone." Words that sound alike are known as homophones, and this makes it challenging for listeners to tell them apart. We'll discuss the distinctions between the words ‘Of’ and ‘Off’ in this article. Many people often use them interchangeably due to the lack of knowledge about their usage and meanings in a sentence. If we talk about their pronunciation there is a slight difference between both, when we pronounce ‘Of’ it ends with a sound of ‘v’ rather than ‘f’ whereas while pronouncing ‘Off’ it ends with the sound of ‘f’.
When illustrating how one thing or person is related to another, we use the preposition "of." For instance, when we wish to imply that something or someone belongs to or is a component of something or someone else.
For Ex-
- He is a member of the Board of Directors.
- Put that cup of milk on the table.
- She hung paintings on the wall of her room.
- She is part of the literary club at her school.
‘Off’ can be used in several various ways, each having a unique meaning. It can be used as an adverb to denote origin or position. It can signify being cut off from something as a preposition. The adjective ‘off’, which denotes what is not on, can also be used.
For Ex-
- Can you put the book off the table?
- Turn off the lights when not in use.
- Wipe that stain off your T-shirt.
- Our graduation ceremony got called off because of the pandemic.
Of vs Off
The main difference which distinguishes ‘Of’ from ‘Off’ is that we use ‘of’ as a connecting word in a sentence. It doesn't signify anything. Since it is a preposition, it is used to indicate a relationship. Without changing the meaning, it merely joins words together. Whereas, we use ‘off’ to denote separation, removal, or a lack of activity as a preposition, an adjective, or an adverb.
For Ex-
- She is one of my good friends.
- This dress is made up of cotton and silk.
For Ex-
- Keep your hands off the paper.
- She ran off towards the city after her performance.
Difference between Of and Off in Tabular Form
| Parameters of comparison | Of | Off |
| Definition | The preposition "of" is used to indicate a link or relationship between two things or people. | Off refers to being removed from someone or something; it represents the act of being detached from a person, place, or thing. Although it also depends on how to use the word ‘off’ in a sentence, like as what part of speech. |
| Pronunciation | It is pronounced with a sound of ‘v’ at the end. | On the contrary, it ends with the sound of ‘f’. |
| Part of speech | It is commonly used as a preposition in a sentence. | It can be used as a verb, an adjective, an adverb, or a preposition in a sentence. |
| Denotes | It shows a connection or sense of belongingness in a phrase. | It depicts an act of separation or detachment from something in a phrase. |
| Examples | I need 3 liters of milk.I am waiting for the arrival of my brother.What is the name of your favorite tv show?Can you click a picture of us? | Don’t forget to turn off the TV.We got this on a sale for 60% off.Every morning my alarm goes off around 8 a.m.Keep your hands off the stove it is very hot. |
What is ‘Of’?
Prepositions like "of" are employed in sentences to indicate a noun's relationship to other words. It serves as a function word that conveys several concepts, including origin, belongingness, motive, and parts of a larger whole. It is used to connect words in a sentence. The usage of ‘Of’ can change or modify depending on the situation it is used in. When we pronounce ‘Of’ it ends with a sound of ‘v’ instead of ‘f’.
How and when to use ‘Of’
Commonly it is used to depict a sense of belongingness or possession over something.
For Ex-
- We are regular employees of this company.
- Her dress is of mesh material.
- Bangalore is the capital of Karnataka.
It can also convey a value, a quantity, or a specific unit:
For Ex-
- He is a great singer with millions of fans.
- All of us were present at the conference.
- Most of us are unable to access the website.
Reflecting on what it contains or comprises:
For Ex-
- I need my cup of coffee every morning.
- Can you pour me a glass of water?
- My mother likes a glass of lemonade.
To denote a position or location of something.
For Ex-
- My laptop is kept on top of the shelf.
- I am waiting in front of your house.
- The book is kept on top of the desk.
To indicate a date.
For Ex-
- Let’s meet on the 3rd of April.
- The farewell party is at the end of this month.
- My birthday is on the 15th of December.
Additionally, it also depicts what something is ‘made up of.
For Ex-
- My earrings are made up of gold.
- This bottle is made up of brass and copper.
- Most of my mother’s jewelry is made up of silver and diamond.
Additionally, it can be used to contrast two things:
For Ex-
- He is one of the top students in his class.
- This is one of the most famous cafés in the city.
- This is one of my favorite dresses.
Examples-
- Delhi is one of the most famous cities in India.
- She is a close friend of my brother.
- This painting is made up of scrap metal and aluminum.
- Can we meet on the 7th of this month, I am free.
- What is the cost of this purple bag?
- My friend is the representative of our class.
- I have heard that this is one of the most popular restaurants in this area.
- Meet me at the end of this street.
- I am tired of running and jogging, let’s rest.
- This ring is made up of silver and pearls.
- Can you please bring a glass of water for the guests?
- My dress is made of pure cotton and khadi.
- Our TV is placed on the wall of the living room.
What is ‘Off’?
‘Off’ is a verb that means to be disconnected from, or away from, a person, place, or thing. Typically, we add the prefix "off" to verbs to make them phrasal verbs. For instance, turn off, call off, put off, take off, etc. When we pronounce the word ‘Off’ it typically ends with the sound of ‘f’ unlike ‘Of’. It can be used as a verb, an adjective, an adverb, or a preposition in a sentence depending on the expression.
How and when to use ‘Off’
It serves as an adverb to describe separation from a location or removal of something.
For Ex-
- I am going off to London for vacation this summer.
- The criminal ran off from the custody of the police.
- You can take off your jackets, it’s very hot here.
When used as a preposition, it denotes leaving a place, moment, or position.
For Ex-
- Can you cut me a piece off from the pineapple?
- I had an accident as I fell off my motorcycle.
- She fell off the chair while sleeping.
It conveys pausing, delaying, or being out of date as an adjective:
For Ex-
- The wedding was put off due to harsh weather conditions.
- The grocery will go off if they are not stored properly.
- The match is being put off due to heavy rainfall.
It is used as a verb to indicate the action of killing someone.
For Ex-
- The murderer offed the children and ran away.
- After a heated argument, Hina offed her sister.
Examples-
- Don’t take off your jacket it’s very cold outside.
- Please don’t forget to sweep off the dust from the floor.
- We got this dress at a sale for 70% off.
- Our meeting was put off because our boss got sick.
- It’s past working hours let’s get off work now.
- Can you turn off the music it’s too loud for me.
- I fell when I was getting off the bus this morning.
- She ran off to the party without informing us.
- I am going to turn off this computer if you are not using it.
- The engagement was called off due to the family drama.
- This pizza tastes off, don’t consume it.
- Get your hands off the painting, you are destroying it.
- Let’s take this weekend off and go on a girls’ trip.
Main differences between Of and Off (in points)
- The term "of" can be used to convey several different meanings, including direction from, source, source distance, sense of belonging, relationship, cause, occasion, or purpose. Instead, we use the word "off" to convey detachment, as in something is no longer connected to the other, i.e., it is apart from or aside from its regular place or position.
- The word ‘Of’ is usually used as a preposition in a sentence to indicate a connection or link whereas we use ‘Off’ as different parts of speech depending on the structure of the sentence such as a verb, an adjective, a preposition, or an adverb.
- There is also a slight difference in the pronunciation of both words. When we pronounce ‘Of’ it ends with the sound of ‘v’ whereas while pronouncing ‘Off’ it ends with the sound of ‘f’.
- We can add ‘Off’ after a verb to make it a phrasal verb but we cannot do the same for ‘Of’.
- Examples of ‘Of’-
- Do you know the importance of this book?
- This necklace is made up of diamonds and gold.
- Can I have a glass of soft drink?
- Stand at the back of the class
- Examples of ‘Off’-
- Take it off if it is uncomfortable for you.
- Our function was put off because of some unavoidable reason.
- Keep your hands off the table, it is dirty.
- Please turn off the microwave if it is not in use.
Conclusion
Several words in English vocabulary can cause confuse the writers or the speakers and even listeners sometimes. As these words often seem similar in their spelling or the way they are pronounced, still they have slight differences which might go unnoticed by the reader. This article also discusses two words that have similar kinds of issues while writing or speaking they are- ‘Of’ and ‘Off’. Through this article, you will be able to tell the basic difference between these two terms, their basic definitions, and their various usages in sentence formation along with several examples.
The term "of" has the purpose of indicating origin, belongingness, and other comparable concepts. This word's primary function is to indicate the relationship between a person or thing and a noun. In other words, it demonstrates a possession or belonging.
For Ex-
- I have kept your notebook in front of the desk.
- Add a pinch of salt according to your taste in the dish.
- This is one of my favorite songs.
Whereas, the term ‘off’ is used in various cases depending on the sentence and its need. It is used to describe the sense of separation or removal of something from somewhere. It depicts a feeling of detachment between objects or individuals. It can be used as different parts of speech in a sentence such as an adjective, a verb, a preposition, or an adverb.
For Ex-
- Put your dirty clothes off the clean table.
- Our sports day event was put off because of less participation.
- Don’t forget to switch off the lights and appliances when you close the door.
References
- https://www.grammarly.com/blog/of-vs-off/
- https://prowritingaid.com/grammar/1000187/Off-vs-of%E2%80%94what-is-the-difference
- http://www.english-grammar-lessons.co.uk/easily_confused/off_of.htm
- https://www.grammar.com/of_vs._off
- https://assignmentpoint.com/difference-between-of-and-off/
