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Netherlands flagAnton Adam
Which preposition to use in the sentence? From a Wikipage: Linux, Unix and other Unix-like computer operating systems are generally regarded as very well-protected, but not immune, from computer viruses. I would have used 'protected against' and 'immune to'. I would not use 'from'. Is 'from' better in this case?

Answers · 10

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Linux, Unix and other Unix-like computer operating systems are generally regarded as very well-protected from/against computer viruses,but they are not immune to them. I am inside my house, I am protected from the weather. My house has been painted, it is protected against the weather. Maybe a firewall gives protection against viruses whereas the operating systems are protected from them? Thinking out loud!
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Ah sorry misunderstood you... But it was only about the right preposition for 'protected' and 'immune'. Yes, the sentence does get long this way, I wont change the wiki page.
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My version? No, I have not written the text. :) I just read it and thought, this is clumsy English. I would have written it like you just did.
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I think your version works pretty well, but using your propostions the sentence would need to be rewritten: Linux, Unix and other Unix-like computer operating systems are generally regarded as very well-protected against, but not immune to, computer viruses. The trouble is that this sentence now looks slightly clumsy compared to the original which may (or may not!) be less accurate.
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I agree with you. The moral of the story is that this may have been written by a native speaker, but that doesn't mean that it is perfect. We all make mistakes, or say things in a way that might not always be clear to other people.

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