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Vlivef Posted 7 years ago
Vocabulary

A bite from/of a snake

Hi,

Based on my googling,

(1) either preposition (from, of) can be used in this expression, am I correct here?

(2) however, the number of hits with 'from' is noticeably larger than the number of hits with 'of'.

Can you please explain why native speakers prefer 'from' to 'of' in the phrase? (if it's at all explainable :-)

Cheers,

vlivef

  

Top answer

Here are a few quick thoughts. Consider these examples. The bite of a snake is very dangerous.

— Clive

  • Here are a few quick thoughts.
  • Consider these examples.
  • The bite of a snake is very dangerous.
  • The idea here is that the bite "belongs to" the snake.
  • The focus here is on the snake.
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2 Answers
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Here are a few quick thoughts.

Consider these examples.

The bite of a snake is very dangerous. The idea here is that the bite "belongs to" the snake. The focus here is on the snake.

Tom got a bite from a snake. The idea here is that the bite "went from" the snake to Tom. the focus here is on Tom.

We also say eg A snakebite is very dangerous.

C

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Use snakebite. The other phrases, "bite of a snake," "bite from a snake," are more literary and seem a bit stilted.


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