Suffer vs. Suffer from

Attribute	Suffer	Suffer from
Definition	Experience pain or distress	Experience pain or distress as a result of a specific cause or condition
Usage	Can be used in a general sense	Typically used in a more specific context
Examples	She suffers from migraines	He suffers from a broken leg
Emotional connotation	Can imply enduring hardship or pain	Can imply a specific cause or condition

Definition and Usage

When it comes to the words "suffer" and "suffer from," it is important to understand their definitions and how they are used in different contexts. The word "suffer" is a verb that means to experience pain, distress, or hardship. It can be used in various situations, such as physical suffering from an illness or emotional suffering from a loss. On the other hand, "suffer from" is a phrasal verb that is used to indicate the cause of the suffering. It is often followed by a noun or a gerund to specify the source of the pain or distress.

Examples

For example, one might say, "I suffer from migraines," to indicate that they experience recurring headaches. In this case, "suffer from" is used to specify the condition causing the pain. On the other hand, if someone says, "I suffer every time I see a sad movie," they are using "suffer" to describe the emotional distress they feel when watching such films. In this instance, "suffer" is used without the preposition "from" because the cause of the suffering is implied.

Grammatical Structure

Another key difference between "suffer" and "suffer from" lies in their grammatical structure. The verb "suffer" is typically followed by a direct object or an adverb to describe the suffering. For example, one might say, "She suffers greatly from arthritis," where "greatly" is an adverb that modifies the verb "suffers." On the other hand, "suffer from" is followed by a noun or a gerund to indicate the specific source of the suffering. For instance, "He suffers from anxiety," where "anxiety" is the noun specifying the cause of the distress.

Prepositions

Prepositions play a crucial role in distinguishing between "suffer" and "suffer from." While "suffer" does not require a preposition to indicate the cause of the pain or distress, "suffer from" always requires the preposition "from" to connect the verb with the noun or gerund specifying the source of suffering. This distinction is important for understanding the correct usage of these terms in sentences. For example, one would say, "She suffers from a chronic illness," rather than "She suffers a chronic illness," to convey the cause of her suffering.

Common Usage

In everyday language, both "suffer" and "suffer from" are commonly used to express various forms of pain, distress, or hardship. However, the choice between the two depends on the context and the need to specify the cause of the suffering. For instance, if someone is experiencing physical discomfort due to a specific condition, they would likely use "suffer from" to indicate the source of their pain. On the other hand, if someone is describing a general feeling of distress without specifying the cause, they might simply use the verb "suffer" without the preposition "from."

Idiomatic Expressions

Both "suffer" and "suffer from" are also used in various idiomatic expressions that convey different meanings. For example, the phrase "suffer in silence" means to endure pain or hardship without complaining or seeking help. In this case, "suffer" is used without the preposition "from" because the focus is on the act of enduring suffering rather than specifying the cause. On the other hand, the expression "suffer from a lack of sleep" indicates the specific reason for the distress, highlighting the source of the suffering.

Formality and Register

The choice between "suffer" and "suffer from" can also depend on the formality and register of the language being used. In more formal contexts, such as academic writing or professional communication, it is common to use "suffer from" to clearly specify the cause of the suffering. This helps to provide clarity and precision in conveying information. On the other hand, in informal or casual speech, the verb "suffer" may be used without the preposition "from" for brevity and simplicity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the attributes of "suffer" and "suffer from" differ in terms of their definitions, usage, grammatical structure, prepositions, common usage, idiomatic expressions, and formality. While both words are used to express pain, distress, or hardship, the choice between them depends on the need to specify the cause of the suffering. Understanding the nuances of these terms can help improve clarity and precision in communication, whether in written or spoken language.