borrowed ideas from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "borrowed ideas from" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the influence of one work or author on another, particularly in academic or creative contexts. Example: "The author borrowed ideas from classical literature to enrich the narrative of her novel."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Indeed, they have borrowed ideas from him.

The Economist

He borrowed ideas from evangelical and charismatic churches and expanded his reach through cable TV.

The New York Times

Why it matters: In the past, China borrowed ideas from Europe and the US.

MIT Technology Review

Its members borrowed ideas from psychoanalysis, philosophy and politics and then challenged them.

The New York Times - Arts

House Republicans said they had borrowed ideas from the jobs bill that President Obama sent Congress in September.

The New York Times

He borrowed ideas from Myslivecek's works for his first opera seria, "Mitridate," and themes for early symphonies of his own.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

One approach is to borrow ideas from biology.

The New York Times

This methodology borrows ideas from multiple disciplines including cognitive ergonomics, computer science and industrial engineering.

Procedia Manufacturing

Then, as commercial video games became more sophisticated, the military began borrowing ideas from them.

The New York Times - Tech

That prompted them to borrow ideas from other fields, such as auction design and game theory.

The Economist

FRIEND LISTS Facebook has also been busy borrowing ideas from Google.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing influences in academic writing, use "borrowed ideas from" to clearly indicate the source of concepts or inspiration, providing specific examples to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "borrowed ideas from" when the influence is minimal or uncertain. Use more nuanced language like "inspired by" or "influenced by" to accurately reflect the relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "borrowed ideas from" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that someone or something has taken or adopted concepts, themes, or elements from another source. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used to express influence or derivation of ideas.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "borrowed ideas from" is a commonly used verb phrase to indicate that concepts or elements have been taken from another source. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase is considered grammatically correct and widely applicable. It appears frequently in news, science, and academic contexts, indicating its versatility across different writing styles. While direct copying without credit constitutes plagiarism, acknowledging the influence and inspiration through "borrowed ideas from" is acceptable when the source is properly attributed. Alternatives include "drew inspiration from", "took inspiration from", and "adapted concepts from", each offering a nuanced take on the origin and influence of ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drew inspiration from

Implies a more creative and less direct form of influence.

took inspiration from

Similar to drew inspiration from, but perhaps slightly more direct.

adapted concepts from

Focuses on the modification and application of existing ideas.

derived notions from

A more formal and academic way to describe the origin of ideas.

took cues from

Suggests a less explicit and more subtle form of influence.

referenced elements from

Indicates a clear and intentional allusion to specific parts of another work.

imitated aspects of

Implies a direct copying of certain features, often with artistic intent.

built upon principles of

Highlights the progressive development of ideas from a foundational base.

appropriated themes from

Suggests adopting themes from another source, sometimes with ethical implications.

emulated styles of

Focuses on adopting a particular style or manner from another.

FAQs

How can I use "borrowed ideas from" in a sentence?

Use "borrowed ideas from" to indicate that someone or something has taken inspiration or concepts from another source. For example, "The architect "borrowed ideas from" Frank Lloyd Wright's designs."

What can I say instead of "borrowed ideas from"?

You can use alternatives like "drew inspiration from", "took inspiration from", or "adapted concepts from" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it plagiarism to "borrow ideas from" someone?

Whether it's plagiarism depends on how you use the borrowed ideas. If you're directly copying someone's work without giving them credit, it is plagiarism. However, if you "drew inspiration from" someone's work and create something new and original, it's not plagiarism as long as you credit the original source.

What's the difference between "borrowed ideas from" and "influenced by"?

"Borrowed ideas from" suggests a more direct and intentional use of specific concepts, while "influenced by" implies a broader and less direct impact. For example, a film director might be "influenced by" French New Wave cinema but only "borrowed ideas from" a specific scene in a single film.