from S1 W1 /frəm;
strong frɒm $ frəm
strong frʌm, frɑːm/
preposition[
Language: Old English]
1. WHERE SOMEBODY/SOMETHING STARTS starting at a particular place or position:
How do you get from here to Colchester? an empire stretching from Syria to Spain The hotel is on the main road from Newport. Ernest twice ran away from home.2. DISTANCE AWAY used when talking about the distance between places or people to mention one of the places or people:
We live about five miles from Boston. a large Victorian house only fifty yards from my workplace He was standing only a few feet away from me.3. WHEN SOMETHING STARTS starting at a particular time:
He’ll be here tomorrow from about seven o'clock onwards. We’re going to tell her on her birthday – that’s two weeks from today. From now on, I will only be working in the mornings. housewives who work from morning to night (=without stopping)4. ORIGINAL CONDITION used to say what condition or situation something is in before it changes:
translating from French into English When she arrived, things just went from bad to worse (=got even worse)!5. from place to place/house to house etc to a number of places:
She went from house to house asking if anyone had seen the child.6. from day to day/from minute to minute etc used to say that something continues or keeps changing:
My health is improving from day to day.7. vary/change etc from something to something to change or be different according to the person, situation, time etc involved:
The treatment will vary from patient to patient.8. RANGE used to mention the two ends of a range
from something to something Prices range from £10,000 to over £100,000. a place where you can buy anything from a handgun to a rocket launcher9. POSITION WHEN WATCHING used to say where someone is when they see or watch something:
From the top of the hill, you can see for miles. There’s a man watching us from behind that fence.10. BEING REMOVED used to say where something is before it is removed:
She pulled her chair away from her desk. Philip snatched the book from my hand. He took a knife from his pocket. Subtract three from fifteen.11. ABSENT used to say where someone would normally be, when they are not there:
The boy’s absence from class has been noted. I have a brother, but he’s away from home at present.12. ORIGIN used to say where something was or who had it before you obtained it:
I got the idea from Colin. Do you know where the information came from? Gray caught smallpox from his nephew. I’ll show you a short extract from one of our training videos. We usually buy our cheese from a shop in the market. You have to choose the right answer from a list.13. SENT/GIVEN BY SOMEBODY used to say who sends or gives something:
He had received a bill for nineteen dollars from St Peter’s hospital. I had a phone call from John. You need to get permission from the owner. with lots of love from Elaine (=used at the end of a letter or on a card)14. PLACE OF BIRTH/WORK used to say where someone was born, where they live, or where they work:
We invited speakers from all the regions. Students from all faculties will have access to the machines. There’s a man from the tax office on the phone. I’m from Yorkshire (=I was born in Yorkshire).15. CAUSE used to state the cause of something:
mothers who are exhausted from all the sleepless nights Death rates from accidents have been on the increase. a patient suffering from stomach pains The community benefits from having an excellent health service.16. FORMING OPINIONS a) used to say what made you form a particular opinion:
From what I’ve read, the company seems to be in difficulties. It’s obvious from a quick glance that the plan has changed dramatically. b) used to say how a subject is being considered:
These changes are ideal from my point of view. We have spent a lot of time looking at the problem from all angles.17. MADE OF SOMETHING used to say what substance is used to make something:
Bread is made from flour, water, and yeast. a cabinet constructed from chipboard18. PREVENTED used to say what is prevented or forbidden
from doing something These problems have prevented me from completing the work. people who have been disqualified from driving Tourist coaches will be banned from entering the city centre.19. HARM used to mention something bad that you do not want to affect someone or something:
ways of protecting yourself from attack I will keep you safe from harm.20. DIFFERENCE used when you are comparing things or people to mention one of the things or people:
She’s quite different from her sister. Our two cats are so alike, I can never tell one from the other. [TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲
frompreposition1. 
BAD: I have been living in England from last September.
GOOD: I have been living in England since last September.
Usage Note:Use
from ... to ... when you mean 'from one time in the past to another': 'I lived in England from 1986 to 1989.'
Use
since when you mean 'from a time in the past until now': 'I've been standing here since 9 o'clock and not one bus has come along.'
2. BAD: She asked if I'd seen any plays from Shakespeare.
GOOD: She asked if I'd seen any plays by Shakespeare.
Usage Note:a play, novel, painting, etc
by a writer or artist (NOT
from ): 'The reading passage was from a novel by Anita Brookner.'
3. BAD: It's a short, knee-length coat from white wool.
GOOD: It's a short, knee-length coat made of white wool.
Usage Note:See note at MADE (
made)
4. See NOW 1 (
now)
[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲