where from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'where from' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to ask the origin of something, and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. For example: "Where from did you hear this news?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"This is not a question of where from," said Mr. Bourke, a marketing executive from Sydney.

The New York Times

Where from, Thessaloniki?" "Corfu.

The New Yorker

"More precisely, where from?" I asked.

Independent

Where from: Bob Dylan (Columbia Records).

Independent

"Where?" "From Chengdu".

The New Yorker

Who's coming and where from?

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

The where-you-froms burbled on.

The New Yorker

" 'Where you from?' 'Where you from?' " he muttered.

The New York Times - Magazine

"'Where you from?

The New York Times

"Where you from?" he inquires.

The New York Times

"Where you from?" he asked her.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "where from" in informal contexts or dialogues to maintain a natural tone. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "from which place" or "from what location" for clarity and precision.

Common error

Avoid using "where from" in highly formal or academic writing where a more sophisticated phrasing is expected. Opt for alternatives that clearly convey the origin without sounding colloquial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "where from" functions as an interrogative prepositional phrase. It inquires about the origin or source of something. Ludwig examples showcase its use in direct questions to determine someone's place of origin or the source of an item.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "where from" is a prepositional phrase used to inquire about the origin or source of something. While grammatically correct, it's often considered informal and might be replaced by more formal alternatives like "from which location" in academic or professional writing. Ludwig examples confirm its use across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia, although its frequency is relatively low. As Ludwig AI specifies, the phrase is valid and can be used in written English to ask the origin of something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

from what location

Replaces "where" with "what location" for a more formal tone.

from which place

Substitutes "where" with "which place", offering a slightly more formal alternative.

from what source

Focuses on the origin rather than a specific location.

originating where

Inverts the phrase to emphasize the act of originating.

from what area

Uses "area" to broaden the scope of origin beyond a single point.

from which origin

Explicitly uses the word "origin" for emphasis.

where is it sourced

Changes the structure to a question about sourcing.

where does it stem from

Uses "stem from" to imply a developmental origin.

whence does it come

Employs an archaic term "whence" for a more literary effect.

from where does this originate

Rephrases the question to emphasize the starting point of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "where from" to ask about the origin of something, as in "where are you from?" or "where did you get that from?"

What's a more formal way to say "where from"?

Alternatives include phrases like "from which location", "from what source", or "from what place", which are more suitable for formal writing.

Is it grammatically correct to end a sentence with a preposition like "from" in "where from"?

While some consider it stylistically weak to end sentences with prepositions, it is common in English, particularly in informal speech and certain idiomatic expressions like "what are you talking about?" or "where are you coming from?"

Can I use "where from" in academic writing?

Using "where from" in academic writing might be seen as too informal. Consider using more formal alternatives to maintain a professional tone and clarity.