from

"From" is one of the most common prepositions in English. It has a handful of closely related but distinct uses — all centered around the idea of a starting point, whether that's a place, a time, a person, or a cause. Here are the most important ones.

everyday language · Modern, widely used

He took a book from the shelf.

The river flows from the mountains to the sea.

everyday language · Modern, widely used

The store is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

She has been working here from the very beginning.

3prepositionsource or sender

When something is given, sent, or received, 'from' tells you who it came from — the person or place that is the source.

everyday language · Modern, widely used

This recipe is from my grandmother.

The email is from the manager.

4prepositioncause or reason

You can use 'from' to explain what caused something — what made it happen. It connects a result to its cause.

everyday language · Modern, widely used

She was shaking from the cold.

Use 'from' to show that something is being kept away, removed, or is at a distance. It marks a gap between two things.

everyday language · Modern, widely used

She hid the truth from her parents.

When you want to say that two things are not the same, or that you can tell them apart, you use 'from'. It often appears with words like 'different' or 'distinguish'.

everyday language · Modern, widely used

This style is very different from the last one.