A proposition to "A Preposition Proposition"

Writer William Safire contributes to the New York Times Magazine's section On Language; if you haven't read it before, it's very well done. Each week the section looks at how our language is evolving, devolving or just changing in no particular direction. In the Jan. 13 issue, in a piece called "Of the Migrating Of: A Preposition Proposition," Safire questions of — the way we use it, the amount we use and whether or not the little two-letter word is even required in most sentences. He starts the piece: "I could of avoided this subject because it's not too big of a deal, but to observe these mistakes a couple times a day — and to see one as the headline of a full-page ad accepted by at least two major newspapers — makes me want to fall off of my chair." (Bold and italicized ofs added by me.) Think about it: How many times do we recklessly throw an of into a sentence? "Today's not that bad of a day." "How long of a lecture should I schedule?" "I spoke a couple of times." Take that last sentence, for example: "a few" would work just as good and it eliminates of.

The article goes into more depth, but the general point is that of is overly used in American writing and speech. And that's a heck of a point to make.

My challenge to myself and everyone else: Use of much less.