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Cup cake Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

'Of' as an auxiliary?

Hi Everyone,

I've just read in the free dictionary online that 'of' can be used as an auxiliary verb. The example given is this:

'He should of asked me first.'

Really?

My instinct is to say this:

'He should have asked me first.'

Since when is 'of' a verb? Emotion: surprise

Thanks
CC.
  

Top answer

Cup cake Since when is 'of' a verb? Since never. That dictionary is really free!

— Mister Micawber

  • Cup cake Since when is 'of' a verb?
  • Since never.
  • That dictionary is really free!
  • Query=of .
  • Have you a link?
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5 Answers
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Cup cakeSince when is 'of' a verb?
Since never. That dictionary is really free!

But I cannot find it here: http://www.freedictionary.org/?Query=of . Have you a link?
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Phew...I knew I was right on this one!

Here is the link:

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/of

You have to scroll down the page to find it. It's not at the top.

Thanks Mr. M

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It is not offered as an auxiliary there; it is offered as a spelling alternative for the pronunciation of 'have'.

auxiliary verb, Pronunciation Spelling.
1.have: He should of asked me first.

...inexperienced writers commonly confuse the two words, spelling have as of (I would of handed in my book report, but the dog ate it). Professional writers have b
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Yes, I went back and re-read it after I posted here.

Strange thing to put into the dictionary if you ask me. Emotion: angel
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Cup cakeStrange thing to put into the dictionary if you ask me.
Some people spell the verb that way in ignorance, and some writers use that spelling to suggest this ignorance. The dictionary explains this. It seems to me to be a useful thing for a dictionary to do.
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