Learn English – ‘Made of’ vs. ‘Made from’

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What is the basic difference between "made of" and "made from." Both expressions are used in English. For instance, "This chair is made of wood," and "Cream is made from milk." Though the question is quite simple, I often confuse the two expressions. How do we differentiate them and what is the rule or logic behind their use?

Best Answer

I've heard a radio program on this topic.

Made of is used when the material the subject consists of doesn't change during the process of making the subject. As in the example by Armen elsewhere on this page:

Chairs are made of wood.

Here, wood is still wood. It doesn't transform into something else.

On the other hand, made from is used when the material changed its nature. Again, another Armen example:

Paper is made from wood.

Now, wood disappeared — it was transformed into paper.

Some more examples:

  • The house is made of bricks. [They are still bricks.]
  • Wine is made from grapes. [Grapes turn into wine.]
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