find it from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "find it from" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward or incorrect in many contexts.
It can be used when referring to locating something or obtaining information from a specific source, but it is better to use more conventional phrasing. Example: "I need to find it from the library, but I'm not sure where to look."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Type in the name of that boîte you're looking for and the phone gathers its location, phone number and a map to find it from the Web.

Forbes

"It's to a point now where we've got to find it from somewhere".

The New York Times - Sports

He needs to find it from himself more than someone else.

Independent

And then I thought, shit, I'm going to have to try and find it from within".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

All the books say you'll find it "from 2 o'clock to 10 o'clock", but it's actually there all the time.

The Guardian - Opinion

Having failed to find love from one man or woman, he can now find it from thousands.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

He found it from an unusual source.

The Guardian - Sport

My stylist guy, he found it from somewhere.

Vice

She found it from a section, early in the book, when I was a medical student.

Huffington Post

"I've found it from my director, but not necessarily some of the other leaders".

BMC Health Services Research

Order your outfit from the catalog or store that you found it from.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, prefer alternatives to "find it from" to maintain a professional tone.

Common error

Avoid using "find it from" in formal documents or academic papers. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives such as "obtain it from" or "derive it from" to enhance the professionalism of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "find it from" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used to indicate the source from which something is located or obtained. Ludwig examples show it used in contexts where physical location or origin is being described.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "find it from" serves to specify the source or origin from which something is located or obtained. While grammatically acceptable, it often sounds less polished than alternatives like "obtain it from" or "retrieve it from", as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Ludwig examples reveal that the phrase is most commonly used in news and media contexts, with a neutral register. For formal writing, consider more sophisticated alternatives to enhance clarity and professionalism. The key takeaway is to be mindful of the context and choose the most precise verb to convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obtain it from

Replaces "find" with a more formal verb, emphasizing the act of acquiring.

get it from

A more direct and informal way of saying where something was acquired.

retrieve it from

Implies a more deliberate or effortful act of finding and taking something back.

source it from

Focuses on the origin or supplier of something.

locate it from

Emphasizes the act of finding the physical location of something.

discover it from

Suggests uncovering something previously unknown from a source.

acquire it from

Similar to 'obtain', but can also imply gaining knowledge or skills.

extract it from

Implies carefully removing something from a larger context or source.

derive it from

Focuses on the origin or basis from which something is obtained or developed.

ascertain it from

Highlights the act of confirming or verifying information from a source.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "find it from"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "obtain it from", "get it from", or "retrieve it from".

Is "find it from" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "find it from" can sound awkward. It's often better to use more conventional phrasing for improved clarity and flow.

In what contexts is "find it from" most appropriate?

"Find it from" is more common in informal settings. For formal or professional writing, consider using alternatives like "source it from" or "derive it from".

How can I improve my writing by avoiding "find it from"?

Choose verbs that more precisely reflect the action you're describing. Instead of "find it from", try "locate it from" if you mean to find the location, or "acquire it from" if you mean to obtain something.