Word inclusion

Question

Does the inclusion of 'from' alter the meaning of the sentence or not really?He suffered 'from' an injury to the head.Thanks.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Think of it this way.
eg
At 7am, he suffered an injury. to his head.
For the next 10 days, he suffered from the injury to his head.

Clive

CalifJim · Answer

1. He suffered from an injury to the head.
2. He suffered an injury to the head.

The meanings are very similar.

1. He experienced pain because he had had an injury to his head.
2. He experienced an injury to his head.

I'd say that 1 focuses on the fact that he was in pain because of the injury, and 2 focuses on the fact that an accident happened which resulted in the injury described.

1 could be happening long after the accident occurred; 2 describes the accident itself.

CJ

Edit: Cross-posted with Clive.

Anonymous · Answer

CliveThink of it this way.eg At 7am, he suffered an injury. to his head.For the next 10 days, he suffered from the injury to his head.Clive

Thanks a lot, Clive. That was helpful. I would like you yo confirm that I have understood correctly. The first on implies that an incident or an event happened, and not the fact of being in pain; the second implies that the individual was in pain (in agreement with CJ's). Have I understood correctly?

Anonymous · Answer

CalifJim1. He suffered from an injury to the head.2. He suffered an injury to the head.The meanings are very similar.1. He experienced pain because he had had an injury to his head.2. He experienced an injury to his head.I'd say that 1 focuses on the fact that he was in pain because of the injury, and 2 focuses on the fact that an accident happened which resulted in the injury described.1 could be happening long after the accident occurred; 2 describes the accident itself.CJEdit: Cross-posted with Clive.

Thanks a lot CJ. That was very clear. I just wanted to know whether the first focuses on that fact that he was in pain, and the second that an event or accident happened and not the state of being in pain. Have I understood correctly, as I have been looking for the correct difference for a while?
If so, do you agree that the following sentence also focuses on the occurrence of the event or accident?: "he suffered a stab (wound) to the head".

Clive · Answer

Thanks a lot, Clive. That was helpful. I would like you yo confirm that I have understood correctly.Yes, you have.

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousI just wanted to know whether the first focuses on that fact that he was in pain, and the second that an event or accident happened and not the state of being in pain. Have I understood correctly, as I have been looking for the correct difference for a while?

Correct.

Anonymousdo you agree that the following sentence also focuses on the occurrence of the event or accident?: "he suffered a stab (wound) to the head".

Yes. To suffer [something] is basically to experience it. The word "suffer" is only used when the thing experienced involves suffering. You can suffer an injury, for example, but you can't suffer a birthday party, even though you can experience either one.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

CalifJim AnonymousI just wanted to know whether the first focuses on that fact that he was in pain, and the second that an event or accident happened and not the state of being in pain. Have I understood correctly, as I have been looking for the correct difference for a while?Correct.Anonymousdo you agree that the following sentence also focuses on the occurrence of the event or accident?: "he suffered a stab (wound) to the head".Yes. To suffer [something] is basically to experience it. The word "suffer" is only used when the thing experienced involves suffering. You can suffer an injury, for example, but you can't suffer a birthday party, even though you can experience either one.CJ

Thanks a lot, CJ. That was very helpful.
So when the word 'suffer' is used when the thing experienced involves suffering it means that the experience involved the feeling of pain, in other words, right?

Also, would the use of 'from' in that second sentence, see below, I asked about alter the meaning to the other one (focusing on that fact that he was in pain)?

"he suffered 'from' a stab to the head".

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousSo when the word 'suffer' is used when the thing experienced involves suffering it means that the experience involved the feeling of pain, in other words, right?

Yes, but the pain can be metaphoric: The company suffered a setback in its project to import oil.

AnonymousAlso, ..., I asked about alter the meaning to the other one (focusing on that fact that he was in pain)?

??? Yes, you asked about altering the meaning by adding "from". Don't you know what you asked?

Anonymouswould the use of 'from' in that second sentence ..."he suffered 'from' a stab to the head".

Incomplete sentence. I don't follow you. You seem to be asking the same thing again. Maybe you should reread what I have already written above.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

CalifJim AnonymousSo when the word 'suffer' is used when the thing experienced involves suffering it means that the experience involved the feeling of pain, in other words, right?Yes, but the pain can be metaphoric: The company suffered a setback in its project to import oil.AnonymousAlso, ..., I asked about alter the meaning to the other one (focusing on that fact that he was in pain)???? Yes, you asked about altering the meaning by adding "from". Don't you know what you asked?Anonymouswould the use of 'from' in that second sentence ..."he suffered 'from' a stab to the head".Incomplete sentence. I don't follow you. You seem to be asking the same thing again. Maybe you should reread what I have already written above.CJ

Sorry for the confusion, CJ. I meant does the same explanation and meaning apply to this sentence with and without 'from'

"he suffered (from) a stab to the head.

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousI meant does the same explanation and meaning apply to this sentence with and without 'from'"he suffered (from) a stab to the head.

Oh. OK. Now I understand your question.

Yes, the explanation is the same for all sentences like that.

CJ

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