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PamQueue Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Were Different Colors
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/11/nyregion/in-person-embracing-diversity-and-the-church-too.html?pagewanted=3
" 'From childhood I always had an inclination to stand up for the underdog,' she said. 'I grew up with lesbians and gay men in very important roles in my life, so I must have had to make a determination about how I feel about that, and I also had to recognize that people were different colors and of different national origins."
This suggests:
"People were different colors."
"People were of different national origins."
How come one requires "of" and the other doesn't (or so it seems)?
" 'From childhood I always had an inclination to stand up for the underdog,' she said. 'I grew up with lesbians and gay men in very important roles in my life, so I must have had to make a determination about how I feel about that, and I also had to recognize that people were different colors and of different national origins."
This suggests:
"People were different colors."
"People were of different national origins."
How come one requires "of" and the other doesn't (or so it seems)?
Top answer
Because 'color' = 'green' while 'of different origin' = 'Romanian'. It is a slightly different structure.
- Because 'color' = 'green' while 'of different origin' = 'Romanian'.
- It is a slightly different structure.
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10 Answers
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Because 'color' = 'green' while 'of different origin' = 'Romanian'. It is a slightly different structure.
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They both refer to characteristics of people. I sense some difference but couldn't pinpoint it exactly.
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PamQueue I also had to recognize that people were different colors and of different national origins." This suggests: "People were different colors.""People were of different national origins." How come one requires "of" and the other doesn't (or so it seems)?"
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Of what color is the country's new president?-- Very stilted indeed.
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Using less-contraversial examples:
"The two cats are different sizes."
"The two cats are of different sizes."
"The two cats are different colors."
"The two cats are of different colors."
"The two houses are different prices."
"The two houses are
"The two cats are different sizes."
"The two cats are of different sizes."
"The two cats are different colors."
"The two cats are of different colors."
"The two houses are different prices."
"The two houses are
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PamQueueUsing less-contraversial examples:
"The two cats are different sizes."
"The two cats are of different sizes."
"The two cats are different colors."
"The two cats are of different colors." "
The two houses are different prices."
"The two houses are of different prices." How do I know when to use "of"?
I wouldn't
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"The two boys are the same age."
"The two boys are of the same age."
"The two boys are different ages."
"The two boys are of different ages."
"The two boys are the same height."
"The two boys are of the same height."
"The two boys are of the same age."
"The two boys are different ages."
"The two boys are of different ages."
"The two boys are the same height."
"The two boys are of the same height."
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I would pick the first of each pair unless you were being very formal.
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