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Wowenglish Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Of /assisting
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Fossils are one of the most important sources of information about the Earth's past. They can tell us the age of the rocks in which they are found, what the environment was like when the fossilised organisms were alive, and even how the organisms functioned. They can also tell us about Earth movements, such as mountain building, about the former positions of continents (ancient geography), and about the evolution of life on Earth. Some of these uses for fossils are of economic importance, assisting in the search for oil and minerals.
I have two questions.
1. I would like to know the meaning of "of" in the next sentence.
Some of these uses for fossils are of economic importance.
2. I wonder if the meaning of "assisting" in the next sentence is "and they assist" or "as they assist".
Some of these uses for fossils are of economic importance, assisting in the search for oil and minerals.
Fossils are one of the most important sources of information about the Earth's past. They can tell us the age of the rocks in which they are found, what the environment was like when the fossilised organisms were alive, and even how the organisms functioned. They can also tell us about Earth movements, such as mountain building, about the former positions of continents (ancient geography), and about the evolution of life on Earth. Some of these uses for fossils are of economic importance, assisting in the search for oil and minerals.
I have two questions.
1. I would like to know the meaning of "of" in the next sentence.
Some of these uses for fossils are of economic importance.
2. I wonder if the meaning of "assisting" in the next sentence is "and they assist" or "as they assist".
Some of these uses for fossils are of economic importance, assisting in the search for oil and minerals.
Top answer
1. The of + adjective + noun structure is common in formal style: This matter is of great interest . = This matter is very interesting.
- 1.
- The of + adjective + noun structure is common in formal style: This matter is of great interest .
- = This matter is very interesting.
- This book is of little importance .
- = This book isn't really important.
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1 Answers
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1. The of + adjective + noun structure is common in formal style:
This matter is of great interest. = This matter is very interesting.
This book is of little
This matter is of great interest. = This matter is very interesting.
This book is of little
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