Re: Usage of "from...to..."

• From: Robert Lieblich <r_s_lieblich@xxxxxxxxx>
• Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2006 18:43:03 -0500

Stephen Calder wrote:
> 
> Roy wrote:
> 
> > I came across this sentence today:
> > "With that money, they bought a computer-training company and five
> > radio stations and researched deals in a half dozen other directions,
> > from food distribution to video production to bus-stop advertising."
> >
> > My question is, is the "from...to...to..." subclause a valid usage? I
> > thought only "from...to..." is valid. Forgive me if it's too simple a
> > question.

> I've heard and see it used often and it seems unobjectionable, if not
> strictly logical.

I agree that it's a perfectly ordinary usage in English.  As with most
idioms, the logic, if any, underlying it is beside the point.

What I find interesting is the "from" that requires a following "to"
that never comes.  This example is invented, but it's typical: "The
restaurant offers a wide range of main courses, from beef, pork, lamb,
chicken, fish, and vegetarian."  It's like walking into a glass door
panel you didn't see.  I spotted one like this just the other day (in
the Washington Post, I think), but I don't recall it with enough
specificity to turn it up again.

-- 
Bob Lieblich
>From the Halls of Montezuma ...
.

• Follow-Ups:
  • Re: Usage of "from...to..."
    • From: Richard Bollard
  • Re: Usage of "from...to..."
    • From: Pat Durkin
  • Re: Usage of "from...to..."
    • From: Stephen Calder

• Prev by Date: Re: Lawmaker
• Next by Date: Re: Lawmaker
• Previous by thread: Re: Usage of "from...to..."
• Next by thread: Re: Usage of "from...to..."
• Index(es):
  • Date
  • Thread

• Security
• UNIX
• Linux
• Coding
• Usenet

• Archive
• About
• Privacy
• Search
• Imprint