of · off

of /əv/ is a weak, unstressed function word ending in voiced /v/. off /ɒf/ is fully stressed, ending in voiceless /f/.

One letter apart in spelling, but two very different words: of /əv/ is a weak, unstressed function word — the F is pronounced /v/. off /ɒf/ is fully stressed, with a voiceless /f/ and a wider-open vowel.

⠿ reorder

preposition — shows belonging or a part-of relationship — 'a cup of tea' · 'the end of the road' · 'a friend of mine'

mouth shape

unstressed schwa /ə/ + voiced /v/ — OV — one of the few English words where the letter F is pronounced /v/, not /f/

of

/əv/

vowel length

short /ʌ/

plays as: “a cup of tea”

⠿ reorder

off

preposition/adverb — away from, or not connected/switched on — 'get off the bus' · 'turn it off' · 'a day off'

mouth shape

short /ɒ/ — mouth opens wider than 'of' — then voiceless /f/, just a puff of air, no buzz

off

/ɒf/

vowel length

short /ɒ/

plays as: “turn it off”

Key difference

Put your fingers on your throat. of ends with a buzz — the /v/ is voiced, just like the ‘v’ in love. off ends with no buzz, just air — the /f/ is voiceless, like the end of cough. The vowel is also different: of is quick and swallowed (a schwa), while off opens the mouth wider and is always stressed.

Good to know

“Of” is almost never stressed in natural speech — it often reduces even further to a very quick, light “uh” sound (‘cup of tea’ sounds like ‘cuppa tea’ in fast, casual speech). “Off” never reduces this way — it always keeps its full vowel and voiceless ending, even in fast speech.

Example sentences

of:“That’s very kind of you.”

of:“She’s a friend of mine.”

off:“Please take your shoes off.”

off:“I have the day off tomorrow.”

Hear it in the wild

Real speech from native speakers — the most reliable way to check a pronunciation, since automated audio can vary by device and browser.

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