Sometimes I read a verb (or adverb) and I get the complete meaning yet I find "Off" (or some other prepositions) follows the verb or adverb.
For example, In the following sentences why do we need an "Off"? what does "off" add to the meaning?
I will shave my beard off. (shave was enough)
Wendy drank half the bottle straight off. (straight was enough)
Treatment should start off with attention to die. (start was enough)
They ended the meal off with coffee and liquids. (ended was enough)
He will drop me off near the station. (drop was enough)
I need the the meaning of "off" here so as to be able to always use "off" in similar situations. Thanks all
Answer
The difference in meaning is only very subtle in most of the sentences, and off only seems to be providing emphasis rather than anything essentially different.
However, that is not true of the first two sentences, where off can significantly change the meaning.
I will shave my beard.
I will shave my beard, but I might leave a goatee or some stubble.
I will shave my beard off.
I will shave my beard completely.
Wendy drank half the bottle straight.
Wendy drank half the bottle without mixing it with anything else. With whisky, specifically, the word neat would commonly be used to mean both straight and without any ice.
Wendy drank half the bottle straight off.
Wendy drank half the bottle all at once.
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