of you

USAGE SUMMARY

"of you" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone's possession of something, as in this example sentence: "I'm in possession of all of your notes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Say "ya" instead of "you.

WikiHow

"He's afraid of you.

Independent

Only two of you.

The New York Times

Because of you.

Independent

Think of you everyday.

The New York Times

Jealous of you!

Independent

Both of you.

The New Yorker

"I thought of you".

The New Yorker

All of you did.

The New Yorker

Most of you.

The New Yorker

Nothing outside of you.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure clarity by using "of you" when specifying a particular attribute or action related to the person being addressed. For example, "It was kind of you to help."

Common error

Avoid using "off of you" when "of you" suffices. "Off of" is often redundant and less grammatically precise. For instance, say "I took a picture of you", not "I took a picture off of you".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of you" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate relationships, possession, or origin. Ludwig confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used. For instance, "a picture of you" or "some of you".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

20%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

14%

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "of you" serves as a versatile prepositional phrase to indicate possession, origin, or belonging. As affirmed by Ludwig, its grammatical structure is sound and commonly employed across a wide array of contexts. To avoid redundancy, refrain from using "off of you" when "of you" is sufficient. Ludwig's analysis further indicates that the phrase is appropriate for various communication styles, ranging from neutral news reporting to more formal business settings. Keep in mind the nuances of its meaning when choosing it over alternatives such as "belonging to you" or "from you".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

belonging to you

Emphasizes possession or ownership rather than a general relationship.

from you

Focuses on the origin or source, implying something comes from the person addressed.

held by you

Highlights the action of holding or possessing something.

in your possession

Formally indicates that something is owned or controlled by the person addressed.

originating with you

Emphasizes that something started or was created by the person addressed.

associated with you

Indicates a connection or relationship to the person addressed.

connected to you

Suggests a link or association, often in a broader sense.

pertaining to you

Formally indicates relevance or relation to the person addressed.

that you possess

Highlights the fact that something is owned or controlled by the person addressed.

in your keeping

Emphasizes that something is being held or guarded by the person addressed.

FAQs

How can I use "of you" in a sentence?

"Of you" is used to indicate possession, origin, or a part of a group. For example, "I have a photo of you" or "Some "some of us" may disagree."

What are some alternatives to "of you"?

Alternatives include phrases like "belonging to you", "from you", or "in your possession" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "off of you" instead of "of you"?

While sometimes used colloquially, "off of you" is often redundant. Using just "of you" is generally more grammatically precise and clear. Avoid using "off of you" when "of you" suffices.

What is the difference between "of you" and "from you"?

"Of you" generally indicates possession or being a part of a group, while "from you" indicates the source or origin of something. For example, "I have a letter of you" (meaning a picture) versus "I received a letter from you".