illustrate from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "illustrate from" is not commonly used in written English and may not convey a clear meaning.
It could be used in contexts where you want to indicate that something is being illustrated based on a source or reference, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "The artist chose to illustrate from the themes found in classical literature."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The original intention was that the doors commissioned in 1402 should depict Old Testament scenes, but for reasons unknown the Guild changed its mind and instructed the artist to illustrate from the New Testament with the "Life of Christ".

The New York Times - Arts

To illustrate from another part of philosophy, the mind can seem rather strange and mysterious.

SEP

To illustrate from our empirical findings: My biggest strength was being a creative person.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The panels in a column illustrate, from top to bottom, the evolution of the internal field (E11) and of its first and second time-derivatives, respectively.

Earth, Planets and Space

I use my own family members as models, taking my own photos of them to illustrate from -  VIVI LA REVOLUCION and COMMANDA.

Huffington Post

Another suggestion someone made was "why not splice two or three photos together and illustrate from that?" Well, though a direct match would have been harder to find, with an image as popular as the HOPE poster, internet sleuths would probably have found the references and maybe I'd be facing two or three lawsuits.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Macroscopic mechanical properties of a material were illustrated from the perspective of microscopic structural characterization.

Surface and Coatings Technology

The LCST phase diagram was illustrated from the experimental results and theoretical prediction.

Polymer

This simple situation, and the analogous eastward electrojet, is illustrated from model calculations by Kisabeth (1979).

Earth, Planets and Space

In Fig. 9 four SCs are illustrated, from the data set used in this study.

Earth, Planets and Space

The validity of the theorem is illustrated from another point of view.

Advances in Difference Equations

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "illustrate from", ensure the source you're illustrating from is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify "illustrate from historical data" rather than just "illustrate from".

Common error

Avoid using "illustrate from" in casual writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "for example" or "to show" when the context doesn't require a specific source.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "illustrate from" functions as a verb phrase that indicates the act of clarifying or explaining something by drawing examples, data, or references from a particular source. It specifies that the illustration is not arbitrary but based on something concrete. This aligns with the examples shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "illustrate from" is an uncommon but valid way to specify that an illustration or example is derived from a particular source. Ludwig's analysis reveals that it's mostly used in scientific and journalistic contexts. Although grammatically acceptable, "illustrate from" can sometimes sound awkward; therefore, consider using alternatives like "exemplify using" or "demonstrate with" for better clarity. When using "illustrate from", always clearly identify the source to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provide an illustration using

Adds the explicit term illustration and emphasizes the method by which the illustration is presented.

exemplify using

Replaces "illustrate" with a more direct synonym and "from" with "using", emphasizing the means by which the example is shown.

demonstrate with

Focuses on proving a point or showing how something works, rather than simply providing an example.

explain by means of

A more detailed phrasing that explicitly states the example is used for explanation.

clarify through

Emphasizes making something clearer by means of the example.

offer an example derived from

Highlights the source of the example, suggesting it's taken or inferred from something else.

elucidate via

A more formal way of saying 'make clear', often used in academic or technical writing.

showcase through

Highlights the example as a way of displaying or promoting something.

detail by reference to

This is a highly formal substitute, often seen in academic or technical writing, emphasizing reliance on the reference point for detailing

to give a picture based on

Focuses on creating a mental image founded on a particular information.

FAQs

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

The phrase "illustrate from" is used to show that an example or explanation is drawn from a particular source. For instance, "The author uses case studies to illustrate from real-world scenarios".

What are some alternatives to "illustrate from"?

You can use alternatives such as "exemplify using", "demonstrate with", or "clarify through" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "illustrate from"?

It is appropriate when you want to emphasize that your illustration or example is derived from a specific source, study, or perspective. However, always check if a more common term does a better job.

Is there a difference between "illustrate from" and "illustrate with"?

"Illustrate with" generally refers to using something as a visual aid or example, while "illustrate from" specifies the origin or source of the illustration. Example: "illustrate with charts" vs "illustrate from survey data".