Dear S S:

You wrote:
> Hi!
> I never know when to use “from” and when to use “of”.
> For example, is it correct to say “the version of this book from 1897” or
> would it rather be right to say “the version of this book of 1897”?
> I’d be really grateful for any hint or information on this subject, as I
> have not found it anywhere.
>
> Thanks so much,
>
> S (from Germany).
>

Many languages do not make a distinction between from and of. English does. The best way to explain it is to just read and hear how the words are used. Generally you use from when you mean”out of,” “coming from,” or “deriving from.” In many cases from would or could be paired with to: “He came to Germany from Spain.”

From a date is the normal usage. Of plus a date is only used when naming or identifying something. So the book would be “from 1897” (it comes from 1897). We would say a person belongs to the Class of 2005 (we are naming the graduating class).

Although you suggested that German is your native language, I have found the following book helpful for people who are native speakers of many European languages, not just Spanish and Portuguese:

Intelligent Mistakes: An English Grammar Supplement for Latin American Students by Michael Hogan, Association of American Schools.

This book answers some of those kind of questions.