Of/From

Question

Scientists of Cambrige university made a great scientific discovery.

Scientists from Cambridge university made a great scientific discovery.

Q: What's the difference between the two sentences?

What I think: I think that the first sentence indicates that all of the scientists of Cambridge university took part in the discovery whilst the second sentence indicates that only some of the scientists of Cambridge university took part in the discovery.

So, am I right?

Philip · Accepted Answer

You may be correct, but I have never had any such explanation made to me, a native speaker.  I don't see any difference.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Scientists ofCambrige university made a great scientific discovery.

Scientists from Cambridge university made a great scientific discovery.

Q: What's the difference between the two sentences?

What I think: I think that the first sentence indicates that all of the scientists of Cambridge university took part in the discovery whilst the second sentence indicates that only some of the scientists of Cambridge university took part in the discovery.

So, am I right?

Some comments.

The 'of' construction is seldom used. When it is used, it often is in general statements about all such people.

'From'is OK, although in some contexts it can suggest that the scientists were not actually in Cambridge when the discovery was made. eg Maybe they were in Oxford.

It would normally be taken to mean 'some of them'.

'Scientists at Cambridge . . .' is probably the most common expression.

It would normally be taken to mean 'some of them'.

Clive

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