Difference between OF and FROM

Question

Hi, could anyone please explain the difference between the prepositions OF and FROM? I often get very mixed up when deciding which one to use. LIke, for example, this text taken from a english news website. Could the word "from" be substituted by "of"? There lies my doubts. If someone could explain as to why (or why not) it could be used, I'd be most grateful. THanks.

"That is the mantra from the Obama transition team whenever it is confronted with an issue on which it would rather not comment."

Givento · Accepted Answer

these prepositions can hardly be "substituted" by each other in speech as their meanings are quite different. "from" mostly points to the direction where one gets something (from) or where smb/smth emerges (from). in other words, origin.

"of" is a preposition mainly used with nouns denoting inanimate objects and means possessiveness, that is something belonging to smth else.
e.g. that very passage of the text contained its main idea. - that very passage belongs to this text, is part of it and it helps us see the main point or message of the text.
vs.
- What is this?
- It is a passage from the book i read to you yesterday's night. (=the passage is originally taken from that book)

in fact, the preposition "of + noun" corresponds to the russian genetive case of noun, so that i as a russian do not have any problems here.

CalifJim · Answer

The dictionary lists a great many definitions of of and from. It would not be practical to try to give examples of all these in a forum post.

However, in the case at hand, the mantra of the team would be the mantra that belongs to the team, and the mantra from the team would be the mantra that has its source in the team. Both are possible, but the author saw the situation in a way that led him to choose from instead of of. In other words, he saw it as a recurrent answer that comes from that team, not something like the team's motto.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

I'm totally confused on how to explain the difference between of and from for these two sentences which I got from TOEIC.

FROM all those applying for the position, Mr. Jamison was the one chosen, as he was the most experienced.

OF all those applying, Mr. Jamison was the most experienced applicant.

Please help me.

Big thanks to you!

CalifJim · Answer

In the first sentence the structure is based on "to choose from". Mr. J. was chosen from all those applying. It is not correct to say he was chosen of the group of applicants.

In the second sentence the structure is based on "most experienced of all". The grammar of comparison requires "of". ( most ... of all. ) It is not correct to say Mr. J. was the most experienced from all.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

This is my problem, to I say "the afterimage of the tealight" or "the afterimage from the tealight"?

She stared at the tea light burning in the middle of the table. Blinking, she looked away, trying to erase the afterimage from the bright flame and hissed out a small breath.

Thanks AS

Anonymous · Answer

Fruits fall from the tree

Witty mango 753 · Answer

saiah 49:26 ( NIV )
26 I will make your oppressors eat their own flesh;
they will be drunk on their own blood, as with wine.
Then all mankind will know
that I, the Lord, am your Savior,
your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.”
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Isaiah 49:26 ( KJV )
26 And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.
//////////////////////////////////////

of - means in here must be in association, together with, outside of
from - means in here must be origin of, family of, means inside of

Difference between OF and FROM

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