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From: gustavfenk@googlemail.com
Newsgroups: alt.languages.english
Subject: Re: "off" or "of" when listing quantities.
Date: Thu, 13 Nov 2008 07:19:33 -0800 (PST)
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wrote:
>
> > Which is the correct word to use, "of" or "off", when listing
> > quantities? I often see "off" used and it just looks wrong.
>
> it really depends...
> "thumballyruled" it'd go "may use 'off' when the material can be 'partial
ized"
> for instance as "a slice off ham" Vs "a piece of mind" ;-)
>
> > For example
> > -
>
> > "Six-inch widgets - 4 off"
>
> > shouldn't it be "4 of", with this being a shortened form of "4 of
> > (those)" ?
>
> there, I think we're missing the context, I'd believe in your
> example the 'off' is related to the price of the stuff, like
> `` 6" widgets - SALE - 4 quid price reduction til Monday ''
>
> help to complete and/or correct this :-)
The main areas where "off" seems to be used (or misused?) are the
engineering / building trades. An example is the table on this
website, listing the contents of a box of o-rings -
http://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/p60122/Metric+O+Ring+Seal+Kit+404+Piece/pr
oduct_info.html
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