Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

Tony 1963 · Joined: 24 Dec 2005 Posts: 129

Hi there,

I read the following:
thermocouples (7 off)

and there is a figure going with it, showing the 7 thermocouples.

But what is the meaning of "off" here?
Thank you
Tony

redset · Joined: 18 Mar 2006 Posts: 582 Location: England

It's not really clear from the text you've given - I'd assume it meant seven of the thermocouples were 'switched off' somehow, but you say the diagram only shows seven anyway. Is it some kind of list? They might have meant to say:

thermocouples (7 of)

which is just a way of saying 'seven of those'.

buddhaheart · Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 1:29 pm Post subject: Re: what does it mean by "7 off"?

Lorikeet · Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Posts: 1877 Location: San Francisco

Thanks, Buddhaheart. No way I would ever have known that.

redset · Joined: 18 Mar 2006 Posts: 582 Location: England

EDIT: I misread that, interesting! I've never come across that usage before either. I wonder how far back it dates...

Here's the site URL in case that Google one expires:
http://www.usingenglish.com/forum/ask-teacher/48405-use-off-indicate-quantity-acceptable-usage-not.html

Tony 1963 · Joined: 24 Dec 2005 Posts: 129

Thank you buddhaheart and redset. It helps a lot.