Question

Every time she cries he suffers a pang of conscience Почему не he suffers FROM pang of conscience??

Answer 1

Предлог меняет значение глагола suffer.

Вот эти значения:

1) "испытывать, претерпевать" (обычно имеется в виду что-то неприятное).

В данном случае мы просто констатируем факт/событие, не говоря о физических или душевных страданиях. Глагол переходный (используется с прямым дополнением, без предлогов).

Примеры:

She suffered several injuries in the accident.

The boys suffer hunger pangs.

He suffers a pang of guilt.

2) "испытывать боль (физическую или душевную)".

В этом случае глагол непереходный (используется либо без дополнения, либо с предлогом from). Часто употребляется с указанием на болезни.

Примеры:

Ken suffers from asthma (he is often ill with asthma).

How they suffer!

Answer 2

In English, both "he suffers a pang of conscience" and "he suffers from a pang of conscience" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings and usages.

1. "He suffers a pang of conscience": This phrase means that when she cries, he experiences a sudden feeling of guilt or remorse. The word "pang" refers to a sharp, sudden pain or feeling. So, when she cries, it triggers a momentary sense of guilt in him.

2. "He suffers from a pang of conscience": While this phrase is also grammatically correct, it is less commonly used. When you say "suffers from," it typically implies that someone is experiencing a negative condition or affliction over an extended period. In this context, it might imply that he continually deals with a recurring or chronic feeling of guilt, which is triggered or exacerbated by her crying.

In most cases, people would use the first phrase ("he suffers a pang of conscience") to describe the immediate impact of her crying on his conscience. It conveys the sense of an instant emotional response tied to her actions. The second phrase would be more appropriate if there were a more prolonged or ongoing struggle with guilt related to her crying.

So, while both expressions are grammatically valid, "he suffers a pang of conscience" is likely the intended and more common interpretation based on the context provided.