The Preposition "From"
An in-depth exploration of the usage, significance, and examples of the word "from."
Definition of "From"
The word "from" is a preposition used in the English language to indicate the starting point of a physical or abstract movement, relationship, or origin. It signifies separation, a point of departure, or the source of something.
Common Uses of "From"
- Indicating Origin: "She is from Canada."
- Showing Source: "I received a letter from my friend."
- Denoting a Starting Point: "The meeting lasts from 9 AM to 11 AM."
- Expressing Distance: "He walked from the park to the library."
- Identifying a Cause: "He suffers from a severe cold."
Expressions and Phrasal Verbs Using "From"
The preposition "from" is also used in various expressions and phrasal verbs, such as:
- Away from: Indicates a distance or rejection.
- Far from: Suggests a significant degree of distance.
- From then on: Referring to a point in time after a specific event.
- From scratch: To start from the beginning without using anything that existed before.
Grammatical Notes
The preposition "from" can be used in various grammatical structures:
- With Nouns: "She bought a gift from the store."
- With Pronouns: "This letter is for you from me."
- In conjunction with other prepositions: "He moved in from outside."
Synonyms of "From"
While "from" has no direct synonyms, words like "out of," "off of," and "away from" can sometimes convey similar meanings depending on the context.