be it from

USAGE SUMMARY

"be it from" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
You typically use it when making a suggestion or emphasizing a point in the form of a command. For example, "Be it from experience or intuition, the decision was made to go forward with the project."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Far be it from me.

The New York Times

Far be it from her to judge.

The New Yorker

Far be it from me to suggest otherwise.

The New York Times

Far be it from politicians to forgo hot air.

The Economist

Far be it from me to tamper with tradition.

The New York Times - Food

That will be it from this Liveblog today.

The Guardian - Sport

Well, far be it from me to criticise Franzen.

The Guardian - Books

Far be it from me to criticise it".

The Guardian - Sport

Far be it from me to defend Wagner.

The New York Times - Arts

"And far be it from me to suggest that you don't, Your Honor," he said.

The New York Times

(Far be it from me to diminish the images and artifacts by calling them "illustrations").

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be it from" to introduce a range of possibilities or conditions, ensuring all are considered relevant to the point you're making. For instance, 'The success, be it from luck or skill, is undeniable.'

Common error

Avoid using "be it from" in very informal settings, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "whether it's from" or "no matter where it's from" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be it from" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a clause that presents alternatives or conditions. It typically sets the stage for considering multiple sources or causes for a particular outcome or situation, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be it from" is a prepositional phrase used to introduce alternative sources or conditions, functioning to broaden the scope of consideration and acknowledge multiple potential origins. According to Ludwig, the phrase is acceptable in written English and commonly used in news and formal contexts. While grammatically sound, it may sound overly formal in casual settings. When using "be it from", ensure it introduces genuinely relevant possibilities, and consider simpler alternatives like "whether it's from" in informal contexts for a more natural tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

whether it originates from

Emphasizes the source or origin of something, providing a more descriptive and literal alternative.

whether it stems from

Similar to 'originates from' but implies a gradual development or consequence.

regardless of its source

Highlights that the origin does not matter, shifting the focus to the outcome or situation.

arising out of

Suggests that something emerges or develops from a particular situation or cause.

deriving from

A more formal way to say something comes from a particular source.

regardless of its derivation

Similar to 'regardless of its source' but uses a more formal word.

irrespective of its cause

Focuses on the irrelevance of the cause, useful when the reason is unknown or unimportant.

originating in

Highlights the place or time where something began.

resulting from

Focuses on the outcome or consequence of something.

no matter where it's from

Offers a more informal way to indicate that the origin is not a concern.

FAQs

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

Use "be it from" to introduce alternative sources, causes, or conditions that lead to a similar outcome. For example, "The decision, "be it from" wisdom or chance, proved beneficial."

What phrases are similar to "be it from"?

Similar phrases include "whether it's from", "regardless of its source", or "irrespective of its cause". The choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "be it from"?

Yes, "be it from" is grammatically correct. However, it's more suited to formal writing and may sound out of place in casual conversation.

When should I avoid using "be it from"?

Avoid using "be it from" in informal contexts where a simpler phrase would suffice. In casual conversation, using phrases like "no matter where it's from" may be more appropriate.