inherited

USAGE SUMMARY

'inherited' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when referring to a trait, quality, or condition that has been passed down from one family member to another. For example: "He inherited his love of music from his father."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"A hundred years ago, when we were founded, people's allegiances were much more likely to be inherited rather than chosen," he said.

The Guardian

He had inherited a kingdom torn by ideologically opposed groups, beset by unemployment, corruption, insecurity and terrorism, yet basking in a second oil boom.

The Guardian

According to the book, our particular level of need for social inclusion is inherited.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Talak inherited her slave status from her parents, who were captured in a raid by Tuaregs against their village.

The Guardian

I should know – another one inherited from my mum is striped, with fluted sleeves.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Osborne, who said the next budget will take place on 23 March, insisted that the situation he inherited had been "incredibly serious".

The Guardian

He also denied that his budget was not progressive, insisting that if all the measures were taken together – including some inherited from Labour – they would hit the richest hardest.

The Guardian

The budget deficits outlined in the mid-year economics and fiscal outlook are more than double those it inherited from the previous government.

The Guardian - Opinion

I have many times pointed out that the degree of mess inherited by the coalition was much exaggerated.

The Guardian - Business

He said the move meant that petrol would be 20p a litre less than under plans inherited from Labour, or "£11 less every time you fill up".

The Guardian

Piketty's argument is that, in an economy where the rate of return on capital outstrips the rate of growth, inherited wealth will always grow faster than earned wealth.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the connotations of "inherited". It can imply both positive attributes (e.g., skills, wealth) and negative ones (e.g., debts, diseases).

Common error

Avoid using "inherited" when simply acquiring something new. "Inherited" implies a direct transfer from a predecessor or ancestor, not a general purchase or creation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "inherited" is as a verb, typically used in the past tense or as a past participle. It describes the act of receiving something, be it property, traits, or responsibilities, from a predecessor. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a commonly used and understood term.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inherited" is a versatile verb signifying the reception of traits, possessions, or responsibilities from a predecessor. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct term, frequently found in News & Media. When writing, remember that "inherited" implies a direct transfer and be mindful of the connotations associated with the inherited attribute. By understanding these nuances, you can use "inherited" with precision and clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

received by inheritance

Specifies the manner of receiving as through legal or familial succession.

genetically passed down

Focuses specifically on the genetic transmission of traits.

succeeded to

Emphasizes the act of succeeding to a position or title.

came into possession of

Highlights the acquisition of ownership or control.

was bequeathed

Implies a formal or legal transfer of property or qualities.

derived from ancestry

Links the acquisition to ancestral origins.

acquired through heritage

Stresses the role of cultural or familial heritage in the acquisition.

taken over from

Suggests taking responsibility or control of something from a predecessor.

fell heir to

Highlights the role of being an heir in receiving something.

assumed control of

Focuses on the act of assuming power or responsibility.

FAQs

How is the word "inherited" typically used in a sentence?

The word "inherited" is used to describe the act of receiving something, whether it's traits, property, or responsibilities, from a predecessor or ancestor. For example, "She "inherited" her father's business acumen".

What are some alternatives to using the word "inherited"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "received by inheritance", "genetically passed down", or "succeeded to".

Which is correct, "inherited" or "inherited by"?

Both "inherited" and "inherited by" can be correct, but they're used in different sentence structures. "Inherited" is used when the subject does the inheriting (e.g., "She inherited the property"), while "inherited by" is used when the object is being inherited (e.g., "The property was "inherited by" her").

What's the difference between "inherited" and "acquired"?

"Inherited" specifically implies receiving something from a predecessor or ancestor, often through genetics or legal means. "Acquired", on the other hand, simply means gaining possession of something, regardless of the source. You might "acquire" a new skill through practice, but you would have "inherited" your eye color from your parents.