Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[learner12]

Hello, teachers!!

(1) Certainly the learning of foreign languages is an important skill, particularly in this modern age of shrinking distances.

(2) Certainly the learning of foreign languages is an important skill, particularly in this modern age shrinking distances.
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Why do you need of in (1)? I think that (2) is also English, but I am not sure.

If you omit of, do you have another meaning?

Thank you in advance.

[pugachevV]

You need of in this sentence.

Of, as it is used here, expresses the relationship between a general category (this modern age) and something (shrinking distances) that belongs to that category.

Your second sentence does not make sense.

[learner12]

Dear pugachevV:

Thank you so much for your logical explanations.

Take care and have a nice day!!