The spelling of the phrase "of this" may seem simple, but the phonetic transcription reveals some complexity. The /ɒf/ sound represents the vowel sound in "hot," while the /ðɪs/ sound represents the voiced dental fricative "th" sound followed by the short "i" vowel sound in "it." The spelling of "of" reflects the origins of the word in Middle English, while "this" comes from Old English. Together, they create a commonly used phrase in English that can trip up non-native speakers due to its seemingly illogical spelling.
The phrase "of this" is a prepositional phrase commonly used to indicate possession or belonging. It is derived from the combination of the preposition "of" and the pronoun "this." The preposition "of" signifies a relationship or connection between two or more things while the pronoun "this" refers to something that is immediately present or mentioned. When these two elements are combined, "of this" implies ownership or association with the current subject or topic.
In terms of possession, "of this" refers to something that is related to or belongs to the current subject or topic of discussion. It indicates that the particular object or concept being referred to is part of or affiliated with the immediate context. For example, when someone says "the color of this car," they are indicating that they are referring to the color associated with the specific car being discussed.
Additionally, "of this" can also be used to specify the origin or source of something. For instance, if someone states "the smell of this perfume," they are emphasizing that the scent they are referring to originates from the perfume under consideration.
In conclusion, "of this" is a prepositional phrase that establishes possession, belonging, or origin, reliant on the context in which it is used. It clarifies the connection or association between the mentioned subject and the specific element being described or identified.
The word "of" comes from the Old English preposition "of", which is derived from the Proto-Germanic *ab, meaning "away" or "off".