off

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "off" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as an adverb (off the ground, off the table) or a preposition (off of the ground, off of the table). You can also use it as an interjection or a verb. Example sentence: I took my shoes off and left them in the corner.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

"All bets are off.

The New York Times - Sports

"They knew we wanted to stop consumers being ripped off, but weren't convinced we also wanted businesses to grow and flourish.

The Guardian

Come off it.

The Economist

He gave off a good feeling".

The Guardian

With the power off, it's like an oven in here.

The Guardian

The ambulance staff have warned the protesters that their legs have got very cold which makes the blood supply pool in their feet, this could lead them to faint and fall off the ledge.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

He thanked the X Factor host, Dermot O'Leary, and Caroline Flack, the presenter of its ITV2 spin-off show The Xtra Factor, before appearing briefly to forget the name of the show's new co-host, Matt Richardson.

The Guardian

According to Eurodad, the coalition of civil society groups that campaigns on debt, there have been 600 sovereign debt restructurings since the 1950s – with many governments, including Argentina for example, experiencing one wrenching write-off after another.

The Guardian - Business

Brentford lost to dent their play-off hopes.

The Guardian - Sport

By the 1960s Ian Nairn could call Manchester a place of "rained-off Test matches and forbidding hotels".

The Guardian

Their return to the elite in 2013 was played out under another three managers and via a play-off success over Brighton & Hove Albion that was briefly overshadowed by "Poogate".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "off" to indicate a state of being inoperative, ensure the context clearly specifies what is being turned "off".

Common error

While "off of" is sometimes used, especially in informal speech, it's generally more concise and grammatically preferred to simply use "off". For example, say "Take it off the table" instead of "Take it off of the table".

Linguistic Context

The word "off" functions primarily as an adverb or preposition, indicating a state of disconnection, departure, or cessation. Ludwig examples showcase its diverse usage, such as "All the lights are off" (adjective) or "He drove off" (adverb).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Lifestyle

18%

Sport

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Travel

6%

Arts

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "off" is a highly versatile term functioning as an adverb, preposition, adjective, or even a noun, indicating disconnection, departure, or cessation. Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples from diverse sources confirms its widespread use across various contexts, including news, lifestyle, and sports. While generally neutral in register, it is important to note that using simply "off" is usually better than "off of". According to Ludwig, "off" is a commonly used word, and therefore has many implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

switched off

More explicit way to say the device is now off.

powered down

Another way of saying something is now not working.

away

Indicates movement or direction from a place or position, similar to "off" when used as an adverb.

disconnected

Implies a state of being detached or not linked, resembling "off" in the context of electronic devices or relationships.

inoperative

Describes a state of not functioning, analogous to "off" when referring to a machine or system.

disabled

Meaning that something is not enabled to work.

departed

Signifies leaving a place, similar to "off" when indicating the start of a journey.

out of order

Meaning that something is out of usage or not functional.

ceased

Indicates the termination of an action or state, much like "off" when used to stop something.

finished

Suggests the completion or end of something, similar to "off" in the sense of ending a process.

FAQs

How can I use "off" in a sentence?

You can use "off" in various contexts, such as "The lights are off", "He drove off", or "I took it off the shelf". It can function as an adjective, adverb, preposition, or even a noun depending on the context.

What are some alternatives to using "off"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "away", "disconnected", or "inoperative". The best choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.

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

While "off of" is sometimes used, it's generally considered more concise and grammatically preferable to simply use "off". For example, "Take it off the table" is better than "Take it off of the table".

What is the difference between "off" and "on"?

"Off" indicates a state of being inoperative or disconnected, while "on" indicates a state of being operative or connected. They are antonyms, representing opposite states or conditions.