'suffer' vs 'suffer from'?

[Nessie]

Hi,
What's the difference between 'suffer' and 'suffer from'? Is it that 'suffer from' refers more to pain (physical and mental)?

Many thanks,
Nessie.
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[Alan]

Hi Nessie,

'Suffer' can mean endure or put up with in a general sense as in: suffer hardships/difficulties and so on. 'Suffer from' is usually used for a particular illness or disability as in: suffer from arthritis/indigestion/cancer and so on.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
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[Tom]

Thanks Alan, but I'd like some more discussion on this topic.

My understanding of the difference between suffer and suffer from is:

*Suffer does not show continuity.

[Alan]

Hi Tom,

I would be happy with a continuous form for 'suffer' in its meaning of enduring/putting up with as in:

Many economies in the world are suffering financial difficulties at the moment.

Alan
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English as a Foreign Language
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