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Aerohn Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Preposition 'of'

What does this preposition 'of' mean here in this sentence? "Books are the quities and most constant of friends." I used to make a sentence like this without preposition 'of' like "Books are the quities and most constant friends." What difference does it make when I omit the preposition 'of'? Could it be mean constant of friends = friends' constant, I think it's impossible and meaningless("Books are the quities and most friends' constant"), isn't it?
  

Top answer

com: 9. (used to indicate the objective relation, the object of the action noted by the preceding noun or the application of a verb or adjective ): the ringing of bells; He writes her of home; I'm tired of working.

— Mister Micawber

  • com: 9.
  • (used to indicate the objective relation, the object of the action noted by the preceding noun or the application of a verb or adjective ): the ringing of bells; He writes her of home; I'm tired of working.
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9 Answers
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From Dictionary.com:

9. (used to indicate the objective relation, the object of the action noted by the preceding noun or the
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Mister Micawberthe application of a verb or adjective
I am getting confused! Kindly clarify it more...

Mister Micawberthe ringing of bells
the sound of bells.

Mister Micawber I'm tired of working
I'm tired because(probably) I did too much work.

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aerohnWhat does this preposition 'of' mean here in this sentence? "Books are the quities and most constant of friends."
quietest?

'of' means something like 'among' I'd say.

Of all the friends I have = Among all the friends I have

Books are the quietest and most constant friends [among all my friends / if you consider all my friends].
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Don't scatter quotes from me all down your page; I merely gave you the dictionary definition, aerohn. By the time I reached the bottom of your post, I had forgotten what you wrote at the beginning. Would you please simplify, clarify and specify your question, please? I don't have time to chat.
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I got it... but what about this sentence? "He writes of home." The preposition here sounds different from the other one.
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He writes of home = He writes about home (He writes information about his home)


(used to indicate the objective relation, the object of
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I think there is a slight nuance between the two. When I read "the most constant friends," I think "the ones at the top for the 'constancy' criteria" while "the most constant of friends" suggests "the most constant of ALL friends, not just those in the 'constancy' criteria." Sorry I don't really have any grammar reference to offer, but if I read this in a text somewhere (avid reader
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of is simply a preposition as is in. We use prepositions before a noun to determine the location; relationship to; the noun and in this case the noun was home ie. of/about home, in home, at home, "He writes of home" is not commonly used and it is more likely that we would use the preposition about "He writes about home". However when we use it in this way we add a senti
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the preposition "of" here shows belonging, or relating, or connected with. You mean books are the most constant companion you have among your friends.

You can learn about the preposition "of" as well as "to" and "for" at
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