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Jessicamessica
Hello, everyone!
"opposite/across from" - is it correct to use "from" in the example below and why?
"Well, could you go to the travel agent’s, you know the one directly opposite/across from the pharmacy and pick up some brochures for me, please?"
Thank you!
Aug 24, 2022 8:26 PM
Answers · 11
5
Across from = opposite
So 'from' is used with across but not with opposite
Across from is little used in British English. It's more an American English term while opposite is used more in British English.
August 24, 2022
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August 24, 2022
Both opposite and across CAN be followed by 'from'.
across vs across from
If there is an obstacle between the 2 mentioned points you can use 'from'
e.g - The school is across from the bank. ( the bank is the obstacle - you have to go around it to reach your destination.
- The school is across the street. ( no obstacle - you can cross the street and go to your destination - so the word 'from' is not required.)
opposite vs opposite from
When opposite is used as an adjective it can be followed by from.
e.g - The school is on the opposite side from our house.
- The school is opposite our house. (not followed by a noun so its a preposition here - no need to use from)
so your example should be kept as it is ... opposite the pharmacy / across from the pharmacy
August 24, 2022
Yes you could use "from" in your example. For this example of giving the directions to to a location, "across from" sounds a little more natural to me. "from" is used to imply that the travel agent is across/opposite FROM THE LOCATION of the pharmacy.
Hope this helps!
August 24, 2022
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Jessicamessica
Language Skills
English, Russian, Ukrainian
Learning Language
English
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