comes from outside

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "comes from outside" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that originates or is sourced externally, whether in a physical, metaphorical, or conceptual context. Example: "The solution to our problem comes from outside the organization, as we need fresh perspectives to innovate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It comes from outside.

The New Yorker

One comes from outside Canada.

The Economist

"Maybe money comes from outside".

The New York Times

Other criticism comes from outside the industry.

The New York Times

"She comes from outside, you know," Mattscherodt said.

The New York Times - Sports

Half of Roedean's intake comes from outside Britain.

The Economist

Not surprisingly, it comes from outside the system.

The New York Times

The rest of the organisation's money comes from outside donors.

The Guardian

The best content comes from outside the office.

The Guardian

Today's real news, however, comes from outside the tents.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Over half of migration comes from outside the EU.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing revenue streams for a business, use "comes from outside" to indicate income from international markets or external investors, rather than internal sales or funding.

Common error

Avoid using "comes from outside" when referring to internal departments or known entities within a system. The phrase implies an external or foreign origin.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comes from outside" functions as a prepositional phrase often acting as an adverbial modifier. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correctly and commonly used in English to indicate an external source or origin. It adds context to a statement by specifying the origin of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "comes from outside" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate that something originates or is sourced externally. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage in English writing. It functions primarily as an adverbial modifier, clarifying the origin of a subject. With a neutral register, it is appropriate across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. Alternatives include "originates externally" or "is sourced externally". When using this phrase, ensure that "outside" refers to something truly external and not internal to the system or entity being discussed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

originates externally

This alternative replaces "comes from" with "originates", emphasizing the point of origin.

is sourced externally

This alternative uses "is sourced" to highlight the external source or provider of something.

derives from external sources

This phrase emphasizes the derivation or extraction from external sources, suggesting a more indirect origin.

stems from beyond

Uses "stems from" to imply origination or development and “beyond” to refer to an external place.

has external origins

This alternative uses "has external origins" to clearly state that the origin is external.

is externally generated

This implies that something is produced or created from external sources, focusing on the process.

is of external provenance

This uses a more formal term, "provenance", to indicate the external origin or source.

arises from the exterior

This option uses "arises from" to denote emergence and "exterior" as a synonym for "outside".

is produced by external factors

This focuses on external factors as the cause or reason for production, emphasizing causality.

is attributable to external influence

This suggests that something is caused or influenced by external factors, indicating causality.

FAQs

How can I use "comes from outside" in a sentence?

The phrase "comes from outside" is used to indicate that something originates or is sourced externally. For example: "The best ideas often "comes from outside" the company."

What are some alternatives to "comes from outside"?

You can use alternatives like "originates externally", "is sourced externally", or "derives from external sources" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "originates from outside" or "comes from outside"?

"Originates from outside" and ""comes from outside"" are similar, but the latter is more common and generally preferred for its simplicity. The former sounds more formal and can be used in specific contexts that require a more elevated tone.

What does it mean when someone says "the solution comes from outside"?

It means that the solution to a particular problem or challenge is found externally, whether it's through external expertise, resources, or perspectives. It suggests that the answer is not found within the current environment or team.