Takako's question about "die of/from" of April 27, 2001:
What's the difference between "die of" and "die from"?The difference between the preposition "of" and "from" is not very distinct when used with the word "die." In some cases "die from" would be clearly preferred over "die of," but in many cases either one could be used. Very generally speaking, the distinction is as follows:
1) Die of indicates an internal cause (such as a disease).
die of natural causesdie of starvation
die of a broken heart
die of typhus
In these examples, the emphasis is on the fact that the cause of death was not caused by external factors.
2) Die from indicates an external cause (such as an accident).
die from gunshot woundsdie from eating contaminated meat
die from injuries sustained in an accident
In these examples, the emphasis is on the fact that the cause of death was caused by external factors.
In many cases, either "die of" or "die from" can be used with little or no difference in meaning.
die of/from diseasedie of/from a heart attack
die of/from starvation