'suffer' vs 'suffer from'?

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

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.

2

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

3

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

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

*[color=blue]Suffer does not show continuity.

*[color=blue]Suffer from shows continuity.

Could you please shed some more light on the usage?

Thanks,

Tom

4

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