suffer through vs. suffer from

[Suffry]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #219 "Confusing Words test (2)", question 6

Tim's grandparents suffered ......... the Great Depression.

(a) through
(b) thru
(c) threw
(d) thorough

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #219 "Confusing Words test (2)", answer 6

Tim's grandparents suffered through the Great Depression.

Correct answer: (a) through

Your answer was: correct
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why not suffer from???
Thank you
Suffry

[Alan]

Hi,

There is a difference. 'From' would suggest as a direct result of a particular illness or similar as in: He suffers from severe headaches. In other words the severe headaches are the direct cause of his suffering.

'Through' on the other hand is an indirect result as in the test sentence.

Alan
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