evolve from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "evolve from" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to gradually develop or change from something into something else. Example: The modern smartphone has evolved from the early mobile phones of the 1980s.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Languages never evolve from scratch.

The New York Times

How did things evolve from there?

The New York Times

New signals do not evolve from scratch.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Teams also evolve from year to year, week to week.

The New York Times

Fascinated to see how they evolve from here.

The Guardian - Sport

We can evolve from brand new to trusted brand.

The New York Times

Paintings, drawings and modified objects evolve from this process.

The New York Times

Dances evolve from week to week in Jamaica.

The New York Times

Davis will need to evolve, from scorer to facilitator.

The New York Times - Sports

"Yes, they did evolve from a Roman style of wrapping," he conceded.

The New York Times - Style

MR. BERGER -- Any thoughts on how dot-com advertising will evolve from here?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "evolve from" to illustrate how something has gradually changed or developed over time. For example, "The company's strategy evolved from a focus on domestic markets to a global perspective."

Common error

Avoid using "evolve from" when you mean "devolve from". "Evolve" implies progress or development, while "devolve" suggests decline or regression. Be precise in indicating whether something improved or worsened over time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "evolve from" functions as a verb phrase indicating the origin or starting point of a gradual transformation or development. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. The examples show its use in describing how various things, like languages or business strategies, have changed over time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Huffington Post

11%

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "evolve from" is a versatile and commonly used expression that describes how something gradually changes or develops over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and encyclopedic writing. It serves the purpose of explaining the historical progression or derivation of a subject, providing context and highlighting its initial state. While generally neutral in register, the specific context will determine the overall formality. When using "evolve from", be mindful of its positive connotation and avoid confusing it with "devolve from", which implies regression. Consider alternatives such as "develop from", "stem from", or "originate from" to add nuance to your writing. With its frequent occurrence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, mastering the use of "evolve from" is essential for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

develop from

Focuses on the gradual process of growth or advancement from a starting point.

stem from

Emphasizes the origin or cause of something, suggesting a direct lineage.

originate from

Highlights the place or manner in which something began.

arise from

Suggests a spontaneous emergence or occurrence from a particular source.

emerge from

Implies a coming out or becoming visible from a hidden or less defined state.

grow out of

Indicates a development or maturation from an earlier condition or phase.

descend from

Specifically refers to a lineage or ancestry.

transform from

Highlights a significant change in form or nature from one state to another.

result from

Focuses on the outcome or consequence of a preceding event or condition.

be derived from

Suggests that something is obtained or extracted from a particular source.

FAQs

How to use "evolve from" in a sentence?

Use "evolve from" to describe a gradual process of change or development. For instance, "The current education system "evolved from" earlier models with significant modifications over the centuries".

What can I say instead of "evolve from"?

You can use alternatives like "develop from", "stem from", or "originate from" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "evolve from" or "evolve into"?

"Evolve from" indicates the starting point of a development, while "evolve into" describes the end result. For example, a tadpole "evolves from" an egg and "evolves into" a frog.

What's the difference between "evolve from" and "emerge from"?

"Evolve from" implies a gradual transformation over time, while "emerge from" suggests a more sudden appearance or coming into being. "The species "evolved from" earlier forms over millions of years", whereas "a solution "emerged from" the crisis".