from the context

USAGE SUMMARY

"from the context" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use this phrase to refer to the circumstances or meaning of something that has been defined or explained by the surrounding words or sentences. For example, "The decision was difficult to understand, but it became clearer from the context."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

average, is relatively independent from the context.

Yale University

We get what the person meant from the context".

The Guardian - Books

You'll have to judge from the context which is intended.

The Guardian

From the context menu that appears select Printing preferences.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Fortunately, it was clear from the context what she meant, and no international incidents ensued.

The New York Times

Viewed away from the context of Marvel, Ant-Man's £4.01m debut is actually pretty decent.

The Guardian - Film

"You can't separate Khobar and Freeh from the context of his relationship with the White House.

The New Yorker

But that's looking at the race from the context of Oct. 28, not, say, Nov. 4.

The Washington Post

It's not clear from the context that he was talking only about MS-13 members.

The Washington Post

Thus data-sharing norms are best understood, I suggest, as arising from the context of data production, not from the context of use or exchange.

Princeton University

But can it be rightly separated from the context and read alone?

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To reinforce clarity, consider rephrasing sentences that heavily rely on "from the context" if there's a risk of misinterpretation by the audience.

Common error

Avoid assuming your audience shares your understanding of the context. Over-relying on implied context can lead to miscommunication. Always provide enough information to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "from the context" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier. It indicates that understanding or meaning is derived not in isolation, but in relation to surrounding information or circumstances. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Academia

27%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

24%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "from the context" is a widely used and grammatically sound prepositional phrase that guides readers to interpret information based on its surrounding details. As confirmed by Ludwig, it commonly appears in News & Media, Academia, and Scientific texts, emphasizing the importance of considering the circumstances when understanding meaning. To ensure clear communication, provide enough context and avoid over-reliance on implied understanding. Using related phrases such as "based on the situation" or "as inferred from the text" can offer alternative ways to express this concept, enhancing precision and clarity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

understandable given the situation

Focuses on the ease of comprehension based on the circumstances.

based on the situation

Focuses more on the overall circumstances rather than just the textual information.

evident from the situation

Emphasizes that the meaning is easily noticeable or obvious from the circumstances.

judging by the circumstances

Focuses on the act of making a judgment or assessment based on the context.

as the situation suggests

Emphasizes the suggestive nature of the situation in determining meaning.

as inferred from the text

Specifically emphasizes that the meaning is derived from written material.

derivable from the situation

Emphasizes that the meaning can be logically deduced from the situation.

according to the circumstances

Highlights that the interpretation depends on the current environment.

as gleaned from the circumstances

Highlights the act of gathering information from the surrounding conditions.

discernible in the surrounding text

Highlights the ability to perceive or recognize the meaning within the text.

FAQs

How can I make it clearer that something can be understood "from the context"?

Provide sufficient background information or rephrase the sentence to explicitly state the relevant details. Alternatives include "based on the situation" or "as inferred from the text".

Is it always necessary to explicitly state what can be understood "from the context"?

Not always, but consider your audience and the potential for misinterpretation. If there's any doubt, it's better to provide additional clarity.

What's a good way to use "from the context" in academic writing?

In academic writing, use "from the context" to refer to established theories, previous research, or specific definitions within your field. For example, "The term 'social capital' can be understood "based on the situation" described by Bourdieu."

How does "from the context" differ from "in isolation"?

"From the context" means understanding something based on surrounding information, while "in isolation" means understanding something without considering the surrounding information. The two are opposites. For instance, a quote taken "caught isolated from the context" can be misleading.