from where

USAGE SUMMARY

"from where" can be used in written English.
It can be used to convey the meaning of “at or from what place or source”. For example, "From where did you get this information?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

From where?

Forbes

From where?' " Marilyn said.

The New York Times - Sports

Not from where I sit.

The New York Times

"Barack's father was from where?

The New Yorker

Jack: From where you sit.

The New York Times - Magazine

"From where I hold it".

The New Yorker

She always connects from where she is".

The New Yorker

Yes, but from where, and to where?

The Economist

Who is watching her, and from where?

The New Yorker

Sirens whined, but from where — Norman?

The New York Times

"She came from where they lick plates".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "from where" in questions, ensure clarity by including necessary context to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "from where" when a simple "where" suffices. "Where are you from?" is often more concise than "From where are you?".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "from where" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase used to indicate origin or source. Ludwig AI examples illustrate its usage in asking about the origin of information, opinions, or physical objects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "from where" is a prepositional phrase used to inquire about origins or sources. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, followed by academic settings. While generally neutral in register, it's essential to avoid redundancy by using a simpler "where" when appropriate. When used correctly, "from where" effectively seeks information about the provenance of ideas, objects, or events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

where from

Inverts the word order but maintains the meaning.

from which source

More formal and emphasizes the source.

originating from

Highlights the starting point or beginning.

from what location

Focuses specifically on the place of origin.

deriving from

Focuses on the process of obtaining or receiving something.

at what place

Focuses on the specific point of origin or perspective.

stemming from

Implies a causal relationship or origin.

out of what place

Highlights the action of emerging or originating.

from what position

Emphasizes a specific viewpoint or stance.

whence

Archaic and literary term for "from where".

FAQs

How can I use "from where" in a sentence?

You can use "from where" to ask about the origin or source of something. For example, "From where did you get that idea?" or "From where does this tradition originate?"

What are some alternatives to "from where"?

Alternatives include "whence" (though it's archaic), "where from" (though it's less formal), or rephrasing the sentence to use "where" directly.

Is it always necessary to use "from" before "where" when asking about origin?

No, often a simple "where" is sufficient. For example, "Where are you?" implies "From what place are you?". Using "from where" can sometimes sound overly formal or redundant.

What's the difference between "where from" and "from where"?

"From where" is the more traditional and grammatically standard form. "Where from" is an inversion that's generally considered less formal. For example: "From where did you get that?" versus "Where did you get that from?"