Browse Definitions :

Off vs. off of

Writing for Business

interrobang Which is correct?
There are a number of methods you can use to capture VoIP calls ___ a LAN.
a. off
b. off of

Answer: Either.

Explanation
Although “off of” is widely considered ungrammatical, it’s sometimes the better choice — and I think this is one case where “off of” lends greater clarity to the sentence. The sentence is correct either way but to my mind, “off of” is a better choice.

Many grammar experts maintain that “off of” is always wrong but I think that is a rule that is made to be broken, at least occasionally.

The most common arguments against “off of” are that “of” is unnecessary and that two prepositions should never be placed side-by-side.

On Motivated Grammar, Gabe Doyle counters those arguments:

And yes, you can put two prepositions next to each other, as in this unobjectionable example:

(2) I pulled a coat out of the closet.

Going on to a somewhat more complex objection, antonymic phrases do not have to share structures or prepositions. The fact that you get on and not on of a train doesn’t mean that you have to get off and not off of it. Consider:

(3a) I put the sandwiches into the picnic basket, but someone has pulled them out of it.
(3b) One velociraptor was in front of Muldoon, the other next to him.

The point about “out of” is an interesting one because you hear “of” left out of that sentence increasingly, as in “I pulled my coat out the closet.” Maybe the false rule about double prepositions will evolve through use but it’s not there yet. In the meantime, let’s consider each case and select the best choice for the sentence in question.

See also: Onto vs. on to
Twitter bird  Follow me on Twitter@tao_of_grammar

Dig Deeper on Writing for Business

Networking
  • jumbo frames

    A jumbo frame is an Ethernet frame, or data packet, with a payload greater than the standard size of 1,500 bytes.

  • OFDMA (orthogonal frequency-division multiple access)

    Orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) is a technology of Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) that lets access points serve ...

  • telecommunications (telecom)

    Telecommunications, also known as telecom, is the exchange of information over significant distances by electronic means and ...

Security
  • What is ransomware? How it works and how to remove it

    Ransomware is a type of malware that locks and encrypts a victim's data, files, devices or systems, rendering them inaccessible ...

  • security posture

    Security posture refers to an organization's overall cybersecurity strength and how well it can predict, prevent and respond to ...

  • ISO 31000 Risk Management

    The ISO 31000 Risk Management framework is an international standard that provides organizations with guidelines and principles ...

CIO
  • Whistleblower Protection Act

    The Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 is a law that protects federal government employees in the United States from ...

  • skunkworks project (Skunk Works)

    A skunkworks project, also known as Skunk Works, is an innovative undertaking, involving a small group of people, that is outside...

  • digital innovation

    Digital innovation is the adoption of modern digital technologies by a business.

HRSoftware
  • talent network

    A talent network is a group of interconnected people with similar professional skills.

  • employee onboarding and offboarding

    Employee onboarding involves all the steps needed to get a new employee successfully deployed and productive, while offboarding ...

  • skill-based learning

    Skill-based learning develops students through hands-on practice and real-world application.

Customer Experience
  • virtual assistant (AI assistant)

    A virtual assistant, also called an AI assistant or digital assistant, is an application program that understands natural ...

  • Microsoft Dynamics 365

    Dynamics 365 is a cloud-based portfolio of business applications from Microsoft that are designed to help organizations improve ...

  • Salesforce Commerce Cloud

    Salesforce Commerce Cloud is a cloud-based suite of products that enable e-commerce businesses to set up e-commerce sites, drive ...

Close