The question is clear, I don't see what is the difference between "Von etw ab" and "Von etw an", can someone explain the difference ? thanks.
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2As ironic as it may sound, I fail to see the clarity and thus am voting unclear.– JanSep 16, 2015 at 8:58
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2Please give us more context. give some examples please.– Hubert SchölnastSep 16, 2015 at 20:30
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it's me who needs examples to understand, I'm looking for examples and explanations, I can easily find examples in the web, but without any further explanation. I need to know when to use the former form and when to use the later form ..– Michael HeidelbergSep 17, 2015 at 12:43
2 Answers
Whether you say "von ... ab" or "von ... an" is largely a question of regional or personal habit. In most situations both are equivalent. Exceptions occur when it's really a shortened form of some other expression, like the colloquial "davon mal ab" which is short for "davon einmal abgesehen".
Here's one difference: if you're referring to time, you can only say "von dann an". If you're referring to somebody or something leaving some place, you can only say "von dort ab". Example: "Von Morgen an fährt der Zug vom Hauptbahnhof ab." Starting tomorrow, the train will leave from the central station.
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QUOTE: referring to time, you can only say "von dann an" - Nun, 'Von da ab hat er nie mehr wieder gelogen' - klingt auch nicht ganz un-deutsch -> abgeleitet von 'Ab diesem Zeitpunkt...' ;-)– mramoschSep 15, 2015 at 19:32
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QUOTE: referring to place, you can only say "von dort ab" - Was ist mit 'Gehe links an der alten Mühle vorbei und von dort an gehst du dann immer gerade aus weiter...' -> abgeleitet von 'voran gehen/ weiter gehen...' ;-)– mramoschSep 15, 2015 at 19:37