From
/frʌm/
Definitions
4 meaningsUsed to indicate the point in space or time at which something starts.
/frʌm/
Indicating the starting point of a journey, action, or process
She is coming from the library.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're on a road trip. 'From' tells you where you're starting your adventure, like 'I'm driving from my house to the beach.'
👶 For kids: It tells you where something starts, like a game! The game starts from the beginning.
More Examples
The package arrived from overseas.
I learned about the news from a friend.
How It's Used
"The train departs from London."
"The project proposal is due from the team by Friday."
Used to indicate the source, cause, or origin of something.
/frʌm/
Indicating the source or origin of something
This juice is made from oranges.
💡 Simply: 'From' is like pointing to where something is coming *from*. Like, the song is 'from' my favorite band!
👶 For kids: It shows where something came from, like a present from your grandma.
More Examples
She received a gift from her parents.
The information came from reliable sources.
How It's Used
"The funds were provided from the company's reserves."
"The quote is taken from Shakespeare."
Used to indicate separation, removal, or exclusion.
/frʌm/
Indicating separation or removal
He refrained from eating sweets.
💡 Simply: Think of something being taken *away* - like when the waiter takes the plates *from* the table after you're done eating.
👶 For kids: It means something is taken away or kept apart, like the cookies from the cookie jar!
More Examples
She was absent from school.
Keep the dog from the cat.
How It's Used
"He was barred from entering the premises."
"He is recovering from the illness."
Used to express a degree of difference in a comparison.
/frʌm/
Indicating a comparison
He's taller from me.
💡 Simply: Used to show a comparison - She's faster *from* me.
👶 For kids: It's used to show that something is more or less than something else.
More Examples
The test was easier from what I had expected.
How It's Used
"He's taller from me."
Idioms & expressions
from time to time
Occasionally; sometimes, but not often.
"We visit my grandparents from time to time."
from scratch
From the beginning; without any prior preparation or materials.
"They built the house from scratch."
from the bottom of my heart
Sincerely; with deep and genuine emotion.
"I thank you from the bottom of my heart."
From Old English *fram, from Proto-Germanic *framą (meaning 'forward, away'). It's related to words meaning 'forth' and 'away'.
Originally derived from the Old English 'fram'. Its use has remained largely consistent over centuries.
Memory tip
Think of a starting line; 'from' shows the origin.
Word Origin
"forward, away"