Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
distill from
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
"distill from" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the process of extracting the most important or essential elements from a source or sources. For example: We need to distill from the research data the most relevant information to present in our report.
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Formal & Business
Alternative expressions(8)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
13 human-written examples
The stories distilled in the movie – and there was a lot to distill from — are incredibly powerful.
News & Media
Alvarado said he'd learned to distill from his father.
News & Media
Symptoms such as "distractibility, forgetfulness, problems with follow-through," and "difficulty waiting one's turn" can be hard to distill from normal childhood struggles, he argues.
News & Media
Zenph claimed it could take a 50-year-old mono recording and distill from its hiss-laden, squished sound all of the musical information that originally went into it.
News & Media
Mr. Rangel is one of a small group of House leaders now meeting almost daily behind closed doors with Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Democrat of California, to distill from the three bills produced in separate committees the one package that will go to the House floor.
News & Media
"We could buy neutral grain spirit in for about 50p, but instead we distill from scratch for about £4 a litre," says James Chase, marketing director and founding family member of Herefordshire-based Chase Distillery, which claims to be the UK's first single-estate distillery, having opened in 2008.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
45 human-written examples
For his aged corn whiskies he puts spirit he distills from local white corn into oak and cherry barrels that he has cut, milled and charred on the farm.
News & Media
To the Editor: The principle that Scott Turow distills from the Dominique Strauss-Kahn case should be carved into the desk of every prosecutor in the land: I will prosecute only when I am convinced of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
News & Media
Ms. Nothomb potently distills from the state of infancy the intensity of beginnings, the precariousness, the trailed clouds of glory -- they are also deadly storm clouds with nothing angelic about them -- that grow indistinct as childhood approaches.
News & Media
This paper reviews experience with developing, deploying and evaluating multi-agent systems, and distills from this some of the drivers for the open agent society.
Science
So really, the only thing that separates a distiller from a bootlegger is money paid to Uncle Sam".
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When working with the phrase "distill from", ensure that the subject is capable of doing so, as it requires a degree of analytical skill.
Common error
Avoid using "distill from" in contexts where literal, physical distillation is intended. For physical distillation, use "distill" without "from."
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "distill from" functions as a verb phrase indicating the process of extracting essential information or qualities from a source. Ludwig AI confirms this usage. It highlights an analytical process to refine or concentrate the core essence of something.
Frequent in
News & Media
48%
Science
44%
Formal & Business
8%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Social Media
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "distill from" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the extraction of essential information from a source. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is indeed valid for use in written English. While it's most commonly found in news and scientific contexts, according to Ludwig, it maintains a neutral to formal register and is suitable for expressing analytical processes. Remember to avoid confusing it with literal distillation and to ensure the subject performing the action is capable of analytical thinking. By understanding its nuances and appropriate contexts, you can effectively use "distill from" to enhance your writing.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
extract from
Focuses on the process of taking something out, often physically or literally.
derive from
Emphasizes the origin or source from which something comes.
glean from
Suggests carefully gathering information bit by bit.
infer from
Implies drawing a conclusion based on evidence.
deduce from
Highlights logical reasoning to reach a conclusion.
ascertain from
Focuses on finding something out for certain.
obtain from
Simply means to get something from a source.
gather from
Implies collecting information from various places.
summarize from
Shortens and represents the main points of the original source.
abstract from
Isolates the most important or general qualities from something.
FAQs
How can I use "distill from" in a sentence?
Use "distill from" to indicate extracting the most important aspects from something. For example: "The author attempted to "distill from" years of research the key factors that influenced the outcome."
What are some alternatives to "distill from"?
Alternatives include "extract from", "derive from", or "glean from", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.
Is it correct to say "distill information" instead of "distill information from"?
While "distill information" is grammatically correct, adding "from" clarifies the source. For example, "distill information from the report" is more specific than simply "distill information."
What is the difference between "distill from" and "derive from"?
"Distill from" implies a process of refinement and extraction, while "derive from" simply indicates origin or source. "We "distill from" the data the core insights" suggests analysis, while "The idea is "derive from" historical events" indicates origin.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested