1.113 used with 'of'

Possessive pronouns can be used in prepositional phrases beginning with 'of' to qualify a noun group. This structure suggests that you are talking about one of a group of things.

For example, if you say 'a friend of mine' you are talking about one of a number of friends whereas if you say 'my friend' you are talking about one friend in particular.

• He was an old friend of mine.
• A student of yours has just been to see me.
• David Lodge? I've just read a novel of his.
• It was hinted to him by some friends of hers.
• The room was not a favourite of theirs.

1.114

For other ways of indicating that something belongs to someone or is associated with them, see paragraphs 2.180 to 2.192.