From whence is often criticized because whence already means from where. In strict modern logic, that makes from whence redundant.
But redundant does not always mean wrong. English has long allowed emphasis, rhythm, and historical phrasing to shape expressions. That is why from whence appears in older writing, literary prose, and formal quotations.
For example, Return whence you came is the leaner version. Return from whence you came adds an extra from, but it has been used for centuries and is widely recognized.
A helpful way to think about it is this:
- Best for plain modern prose: use whence alone, or simply say from where.
- Acceptable in historical, literary, or quoted style: use from whence.
- Not a grammar emergency: the phrase may be redundant, but it is not automatically an error.
So if you want the most concise wording, choose whence or from where. If you are echoing a formal or older style, from whence is still a real and established English expression.
