Time is of essence什么意思这种用法叫什么怎么用？跟形容词有什么区别

一、表达的意义

1. "(be)+of+名词"结构中的名词是抽象名词时,相当于其中名词所对应的形容词的意思,说明被修饰词具有某种特征或属性。常用的名词有use/importance/help/value/interest/quality/service/benefit/necessity等。如:

I don't want to hear what you are saying. It is of no interest to me. 我不想听你说,我对此不感兴趣。(of no interest=not interesting)

Doing morning exercises will be of benefit to your health. 做早操对你的健康有利。

Coal is of great importance to the development of industry. 煤对工业发展是相当重要的。(of great importance=very important)

2. "(be)+of +名词"结构中的名词表种类、数量、度量等时,表示不同的人或物的共同特征,此时名词前通常带有冠词。常用的名词有size/kind/type/price/height/depth/width/length/weight/age/shape/colour等。如:

We are of the same age. 我们同岁。

The twin sisters are of a size and the skirt fits each of them exactly. 双胞胎姐妹的身材一样,这件裙子两个人穿都非常合适。

Machines are of different types and sizes.机器有不同的型号和规格。

3. "(be)+of+名词"结构可以表示主语的根源关系,此时的名词多是表示亲属、血统、种族、国籍及出处的名词,常用的名词有family/blood/race/origin等。如:

We are of the same blood. 我们是同一家族。

They are of noble race. 他们出身名门。

二、所作的成分

1. 作表语。如:

Don't throw anything that may be of use.不要把任何有用的东西扔掉。(=Don't throw anything that may be useful.)

Flowers are of many colours. 花的颜色很多。

注意: of high quality在所给课文句子(New Zealand wine is of high quality and is sold all over the world.)中也作表语。句意是:新西兰葡萄酒质量很高,行销全世界。

2. 作定语。如:

Your sister is a girl of wisdom. 你妹妹是一位有智慧的女孩。(=Your sister is a wise girl.)

We don't think there is anything of interest in your pictures. 我们认为你的画并没有什么有趣的地方。(=We don't think there is anything interesting in your pictures.)

3. 宾语补足语。如:

He found himself of absolutely contradictory points of view. 他发现自己处于完全矛盾的观点之中。

综上所述,"(be)+of+名词"相当于形容词,在句中可以作表语、定语或宾语补足语。
参考资料： http://edu.sina.com.cn/en/2004-05-24/21967.html

意思是时间是很重要的，be ＋of ＋抽象名词 相当于形容词，is of essence＝essential

意思是时间的本质