The Paritive use of “of”

The Paritive use of “of” Ms.Nishasujatha D., Assistant Professor in English, SNMV CAS

Why ‘of’

One Some / half Of Many / Most The majority

One of, two of, many of, several of, the majority of – plural noun / pronoun One of the boys in our class has won a prize. Two of the boys in our class have won a prize. Several of the pupils were awarded scholarships.

Some of, half of Plural verb – reference to number (countable) Singular verb – reference to amount / quantity (uncountable) Some of the houses are not fit to live in. Some of the water was spilt on the floor. Half of the apples were bad. Half of the land was uncultivated.

The majority of can be used only for number. • Most of – for amount / quantity The majority of boys like playing football. Most of the stain came out of the dress. Most as the superlative of many – countable Most of the houses in this street are new.

Many refers to number – plural • Much refers to quantity – singular • Many of the flowers are dead. • Much of the countryside is under water.

Of followed by a class noun – clothing, furniture, luggage, traffic, crockery – singular • Some of my clothing has been damaged. (not several) • Much of the furniture is old fashioned. (not many) • Little of the crockery has been broken. (not few) • Most of the traffic goes by the the main road. (not many)

Concord of nouns, pronouns & possessive adjectives (third person) Ms.Nishasujatha D., Assistant Professor in English, SNMV CAS

He, him, his, himself - male • She, her, hers, herself - female • It, its, itself – non-living things

Noun – persons of either sex – person, pupil, scholar, reader, pedestrian – masculine pronoun • A reader likes to choose his books himself. • In particular context – reference to a woman/girl – feminine pronoun • There is only one member who has not paid her subscription for the Women’s organization.

Baby & child - it The nurse picked the baby up and gave it to the mother. The small child was crying for its mother. Plural (male, female & non-living things) They, them, their, their, themselves

Animal – neuter ‘it’ Don’t annoy that bull, or it may attack you. Context / situation In the corner of the shed there was a cow with her calf. Pet animals We have lost our dog. Have you seen him / her?

Every, everyone, everybody, everything – singular pronoun • Every student passed his examination. • Everyone had to show his ticket. • His, her – gender • John gave a present to his mother. • Susan gave a present to her mother. • The purse was restored to its owner.

The possessive adjective / the definite article with nouns denoting parts of the body Ms.Nishasujatha D., Assistant Professor in English, SNMV CAS

General reference – use ‘the’ • Drugs have a tendency to dull the brain and affect the heart. • Scientists tell us that the eye has developed from a sensitive nerve spot.

Particular reference – use possessive adjective She has cut her finger. My brother has broken his leg.

When the person in question has already been mentioned as the object or the indirect object of a verb – use ‘the’ to particularize the part of the body. He refused to look me in the face. I gave him a punch on the face.

Passive verb – the same rule The victim had been stabbed in the back with a dagger. He was kicked on the shin while playing football.

The names of ailments and diseases of parts of the body – use ‘the’ Cancer of the lung, inflammation of the throat

Thank you

The Paritive use of “of”