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Dipsik Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Wide off/of the mark
Hello,
I've recently come across both 'wide off the mark' and 'wide of the mark'. Could anyone tell me whether there's any reasoning behing cutting one 'f' off? Is it correct at all?
Thanks a lot
Lenka
I've recently come across both 'wide off the mark' and 'wide of the mark'. Could anyone tell me whether there's any reasoning behing cutting one 'f' off? Is it correct at all?
Thanks a lot
Lenka
Top answer
Hi, Lenka, They both work. I think "of" is more common. " With "wide off the mark," I think the prepositional phrase answers the question "where," and "wide" is adjectival, modifying the prepositional phrase.
- Hi, Lenka, They both work.
- I think "of" is more common.
- " With "wide off the mark," I think the prepositional phrase answers the question "where," and "wide" is adjectival, modifying the prepositional phrase.
- I guess this sounds like a lot of BS.
- Best wishes, - A.
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1 Answers
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Hi, Lenka,
They both work. I think "of" is more common. It's like "clear of the mark."
"Off" would be more like "far off the mark."
Grammatically, I think "wide of the mark" is adverbial, as in "I placed it west of the mark."
"Wide" answers the question "where," and the prepositional phrase "of the mark" modifies "wide."
With "wide off
They both work. I think "of" is more common. It's like "clear of the mark."
"Off" would be more like "far off the mark."
Grammatically, I think "wide of the mark" is adverbial, as in "I placed it west of the mark."
"Wide" answers the question "where," and the prepositional phrase "of the mark" modifies "wide."
With "wide off
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