student asking question

What is different between "escape sth" and "escape from sth"?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

The word "escape" means to break free from confinement or control; to get away, to get out. The word "from" functions as a preposition; it shows a relationship between nouns. When you add the word "from" after the word escape, you are indicating a specific location where the escape took place. To answer your question, the difference between "escape" and "escape from" is "escape from" shows where the escape took place, the other does not. The first three examples do not indicate location: Ex: You need to escape! Ex: Why doesn't he escape? Ex: He was able to escape the soldiers. These three examples indicate location: Ex: Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban. Ex: The man escaped from prison. Ex: I just want to escape from reality.

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