"made of" or "made from"?

Question

Hi, I'm a new member of this forum.

I really need your help. How can I distinguish from "made of" and "made from"?

Which of these two sentences is correct?

1. In the 18^th century jean cloth was made completely from cotton.
2. In the 18^th century jean cloth was made completely of cotton.

Kawthar.K. · Accepted Answer

I'd say made of, but what do I know?!

Cool Breeze · Answer

This has been discussed before. You'll find results by typing made of in the Search Box in the upper right-hand corner. However, many people will agree with me if I say that of is correct when there is little or no perceptible change in the substance:

This table is made of wood. (You can see with your eyes that the table isn't made of steel, for example.)

When it is impossible to determine with your eyes what material has been used, from is usually correct:

Wine is made from grapes. (The grapes have undergone a complete transformation.)

I'd prefer made fromin your sentences. However, I don't think they had that cloth in the 18th century.

CB

Ngoc_tuyet77 · Answer

Thank you very much for your help, Cool Breeze.
But I find in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, 7th edition the definition of "jeans".

"jeans" - trousers/pants made of strong cotton, especially denim

It makes me confused about your choice. Please help again.

BarbaraPA · Answer

There is not a bright line saying "only this is right in this situation" and "only that is right in that situation." They can overlap.

CB said that he'd "prefer." He did not say "only 'from' is correct."

I can't often tell by looking whether something is made from cotton or linen or even synthetics in some cases, but for others, it might be immediately obvious something is made OF something, and not FROM it.

Cool Breeze · Answer

Grammar Geek
CB said that he'd "prefer." He did not say "only 'from' is correct."

I couldn't have put it better myself, GG! Thank you. [F]

CB

Ngoc_tuyet77 · Answer

Thank you very much indeed. I have really learned something from your reply. Thanks again, CB.

Khoff · Answer

ngoc_tuyet77
"jeans" - trousers/pants made of strong cotton, especially denim

It makes me confused about your choice. Please help again.

The dictionary example is different from the original choices:

1. In the 18^th century jean cloth was made completely from cotton.
2. In the 18^th century jean cloth was made completely of cotton.

It's not inconsistent to say that the jeans (pants) are made of "strong cotton, especially denim," (because in this sentence "cotton" means "cotton cloth.") , while "jean cloth" is made from cotton (the raw material.) You can tell by looking that the pants are made of the fabric, but when the fabric is made from cotton plants a significant transformation takes place.

The pants are made of cotton (cloth.)

The cloth is made from cotton (plants).

Ngoc_tuyet77 · Answer

Thanks a million for your clear explanation. That's the answer I've been looking for. There's no confusion in my mind now. Thank you, khoff.<img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>[F]

Desk towel 153 · Answer

Clothes are made of cotton

"made of" or "made from"?

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