From: meaning, definitions and examples

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from

[frəm ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Preposition}

used to indicate the starting point of a movement or action

used to indicate the point in time at which a particular event takes place, or the origin of a particular person or thing

Synonyms

away from, off, out of.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
from	Used to indicate the starting point of a physical location, time, or a source. She traveled from New York to Paris The show starts from 8 PM This gift is from John
out of	Used to indicate motion from the inside to the outside of something or a departure from a condition. She stepped out of the car The cat ran out of the house He graduated out of necessity
away from	Used to indicate a movement or distance away from a particular location or point. He moved away from the window Keep your phone away from water She lives two miles away from her office
off	Used to indicate separation or removal from a surface or a specific point, often implying detachment. Take your shoes off before entering the house The cat jumped off the table The car went off the road

Examples of usage

he left home from school
the show will run from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
the company is based in Berlin, with offices in London, Paris, and from next year, New York

^{Context #2 | Conjunction}

used to show the source from which something comes

used to show the distance between two places

Synonyms

coming from, derived from, originating from.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
from	Used to indicate the starting point of a physical location, source, time, or condition. I am from Canada. She received a gift from her friend.
originating from	Used to describe the beginning point or source of something, often in a formal or historical context. The festival is originating from ancient traditions. The virus is thought to be originating from a market.
coming from	Used to denote the origin of a person or object, often emphasizing the movement or journey. He is coming from the office. That idea is coming from a place of concern.
derived from	Used when something has been developed or obtained from a source, often in a scientific, academic, or technical context. This medicine is derived from natural herbs. The word is derived from Latin.

Examples of usage

from what I can see, the project is not going well
the hotel is only a few minutes' walk from the station

Interesting Facts

Etymology

'From' comes from Old English 'fram', meaning 'forward' or 'away', indicating movement away from a place.
The word has roots in Germanic languages, linking it to similar words in Dutch and German, showing its longstanding use in the language.
Over time, its meaning expanded to indicate not just physical location but also abstract ideas like origins or sources.

Linguistic Usage

'From' plays a crucial role in prepositional phrases, helping specify relationships between places or ideas.
It's often used in expressions of giving or receiving, like 'from me to you', highlighting its versatility in language.
In the structure of sentences, 'from' often introduces the subject’s origin or starting point, essential for clarity.

Cultural Significance

In many cultures, the concept of where someone is 'from' plays a key role in personal identity and community belonging.
The phrase 'from the ground up' reflects values of hard work and origin in building success or projects.
Cultural greetings often include the question, 'Where are you from?', signifying its importance in establishing social connections.

Psychological Perspective

Understanding where someone is 'from' can shape perceptions and attitudes towards individuals based on regional or cultural backgrounds.
Research in psychology shows that people often have biases based on 'from' locations, which can affect social interactions and opportunities.
The concept of 'from' can influence a person's self-concept and identity, impacting how they relate to their environment.

Literature

Authors often use 'from' to set the scene or background in narratives, establishing the origins of characters and events.
The phrase 'from the beginning' is commonly used in storytelling to denote the importance of context.
In poetry, 'from' can evoke deep emotions by highlighting origins and transitions in the human experience.

Translations

Translations of the word "from" in other languages:

🇵🇹 de

🇮🇳 से

🇩🇪 von

🇮🇩 dari

🇺🇦 з

🇵🇱 z

🇯🇵 から

🇫🇷 de

🇪🇸 de

🇹🇷 den

🇰🇷 에서

🇸🇦 من

🇨🇿 z

🇸🇰 z

🇨🇳 从

🇸🇮 iz

🇮🇸 frá

🇰🇿 бастап

🇬🇪 დან

🇦🇿 dən

🇲🇽 de

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #7, this is one of the most fundamental words in English. It's absolutely essential to master this word as it forms the backbone of English communication and appears in almost every conversation or text.

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