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What is the difference between 'fro' and 'from'?
The words fro and from are often confused because they have a similar spelling. In this article, we explain the difference between them.
From means with the source or provenance of or at when used as a preposition.
Fro means from; away; back or backward. In modern English, it is used only in the set phrase ("to and fro") when used as an adverb.
A good way to remember the difference is The letter is froM My Mom (From has an M).
Out of the two words, 'from' is the most common. It appears about 958 times more frequently than 'fro'.
From and fro are often confused, usually because it's easy to leave the letter M off of from. Here are the differences.
From is a preposition that refers to a point of origin, whether it's a location or a time.
Fro is an antiquated word that means from or away. We don't use this word in Modern English, unless we are saying the phrase to and fro. This means back and forth. This is the only time that we use fro in Modern English.
Is the phrase 'darting to and fro' or 'darting to and from'?
The correct expression is 'darting to and fro'. These phrases are often confused because they look similar.
What's the right phrase 'from time to time' or 'fro time to time'?
The correct expression is 'from time to time'. These phrases are often confused because of their similar spelling.
Is the expression 'from the United States' or 'fro the United States'?
The correct phrase is 'from the United States'. These phrases are often confused because they have a similar spelling.
Should I use 'from the fact that' or 'fro the fact that'?
You should use 'from the fact that'. These phrases are often confused because they have a similar spelling.
Is the correct phrase 'from the point of' or 'fro the point of'?
The right expression is 'from the point of'. These phrases are often confused because of their similar spelling.
Is the correct expression 'from side to side' or 'fro side to side'?
The correct phrase is 'from side to side'. These phrases are often confused because they have a similar spelling.
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The definitions in this article were adapted from Wiktionary.
Examples of fro in a sentence
She was wrapped in a shawl round her nightdress, rocking to and fro a little.- Sherlock Holmes and the King's Evil: And Other New Tales Featuring the World's Greatest Detective by Donald Thomas
All contacts running to and fro, everybody’s back getting properly scratched.- The Appeal by John Grisham
We are on our true parallel, and as we sail to and fro upon it we may meet with them at any time.- The Thirteen-Gun Salute by Patrick O'Brian
Youths flung frisbees to and fro.- The Burglar Who Studied Spinoza by Lawrence Block
We didn’t have an argument, but we went to and fro for a long time.- Mystery by Peter Straub
Examples of from in a sentence
Presumably they had learned his from the website mentioned on the jacket of his latest book.- In the night room: a novel by Peter Straub
It was rather entirely external, coming from the minds of others.- Beatrice and Virgil by Yann Martel
FROM THE PAGES OF- The collected poems of Emily Dickinson by Emily Dickinson; Rachel Wetzsteon
Korzeth was only fourteen when he seized the throne from his aged father.- Demon Lord of Karanda by David Eddings
He pounded on the earth, trying to keep the hands from pulling him under.It wasn't working.- Beyond belief by Roy Johansen
