be free from

USAGE SUMMARY

'be free from' is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to express a feeling of being liberated from something that was keeping one from enjoying life or from achieving a goal. For example: "By finally paying off her student loan debt, Susie felt free from the burden of her financial obligations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In addition, it must be free from unnecessary duplicated data.

Relational Database Design Clearly Explained

The perfect environment would be free from distractions or interruptions.

Harvard University

A multiplex world will not be free from disorder.

Yale University

It should also be free from spelling and grammatical errors.

Columbia University

10k now to be free from outbreaks, I have it.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Austen allows Lydia to be free from repentance.

The Guardian - Books

But climate models will never be free from uncertainties.

The Guardian

"Individual moments should be free from bias," it reads.

The Guardian - Tech

The right to be free from commerce invading your house.

The New York Times

"I wanted to be free from familial obligations and pressure".

The New York Times

May you be free from pain and suffering...

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be free from" to emphasize the positive state of being without something undesirable, such as "be free from distractions" when creating a workspace.

Common error

While "free from" and "free of" are often interchangeable, "free from" is generally used when discussing something that has been actively removed or avoided, while "free of" simply indicates absence. Consider using "free of" when referring to inherent qualities and "free from" when referring to external factors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be free from" primarily functions as a predicate adjective phrase. It describes the state or condition of a subject, indicating that the subject is without or exempt from something undesirable. Ludwig AI confirms the widespread usage and grammatical correctness of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

26%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be free from" is a versatile phrase used to express the absence of undesirable elements or conditions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use across various contexts. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Academia. While interchangeable with "be free of" in many cases, "be free from" often implies an active removal or avoidance of the undesirable element. When writing, consider using "be free from" to emphasize liberation and a positive state, while avoiding confusion with similar phrases by paying close attention to the specific context. Remember that clear and precise usage enhances the impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be exempt from

Implies a formal release or exception from an obligation or requirement; more formal than the original phrase.

be devoid of

Indicates a complete absence of something, often implying a lack or deficiency; more absolute than the original phrase.

be clear of

Suggests the removal or absence of something previously present, often indicating a successful avoidance of something.

be rid of

Implies getting rid of something unwanted or troublesome; more informal than the original phrase.

be immune to

Indicates resistance or invulnerability to something, typically a disease or negative influence.

be untouched by

Suggests that something has not been affected or harmed by something else, indicating a state of purity or preservation.

be absolved of

Implies being formally released from guilt, blame, or responsibility; carries a legal or moral connotation.

be independent of

Indicates a state of not being controlled, influenced, or supported by something else, highlighting autonomy and self-reliance.

escape from

Suggests evading or breaking free from a dangerous or confining situation, highlighting the act of liberation.

avoid

Emphasizes the act of preventing something from happening or encountering something undesirable, focusing on proactive prevention.

FAQs

How can I use "be free from" in a sentence?

The phrase "be free from" is used to describe a state of being without something undesirable. For example, "The ideal work environment should "be free from distractions"" or "The next referendum must "be free from illegal activity"".

What are some alternatives to "be free from"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "be exempt from", "be devoid of", or "be clear of" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "be free of" instead of "be free from"?

Both "be free from" and "be free of" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. However, "be free from" often implies an active removal or avoidance, while "be free of" simply indicates absence. Choose the phrase that best fits the specific context.

What is the difference between "be free from" and "protected from"?

"Be free from" indicates a current state of absence of something undesirable, while "protected from" implies a state of being shielded or defended against something. "May we "be free from danger"" suggests the absence of danger, whereas "protected from danger" implies that measures are in place to prevent danger from occurring.