it derived from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it derived from" is not correct in standard English; it should be "it derives from" or "it is derived from." You can use it when discussing the origin or source of something, but ensure the verb tense is appropriate.
Example: "The term 'biodiversity' derives from the combination of 'biological' and 'diversity.'"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Under antitrust law, a company can be fined up to twice the gain it derived from its misconduct.

The New York Times - Tech

In the 1950s the Curtiss-Wright Corporation coined the name "Quehanna" for its nuclear reservation, which it derived from the last three syllables of "Susquehanna", "in honor of the river that drained the entire region".

Wikipedia

We labelled the transcript Mito1 as it was unclear if it derived from the mitochondrial gene rpl2 or its nuclear insert At2g07715.

Plosone

It derived from research published in 1968 about thioridazine, a drug used to treat schizophrenia.

The Guardian

It derived from a play of 1922, which in turn became a 1927 movie with Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell.

The New York Times - Arts

After a lengthy evaluation, we concluded that we shouldn't do that, because it derived from a social problem.

The New Yorker

It derived from the prestige of the Arabic language, from the Arabian origins of the prophet.

The New York Times - Books

More likely, it derived from butter chicken, a popular dish in northern India.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The term "merz" is taken from Kommerzbank - although Schwitters also claimed that it derived from the German word ausmerzen, meaning to discard or weed out.

The Guardian - Music

The success came down partly to a peculiar alchemy which made the film and the book it derived from equally attractive to both adolescent boys and girls.

The Guardian - Film

It derived from an idea, articulated by Albert Camus in 1942, that, in a world of shattered beliefs, life was without meaning.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating the origin of something, ensure you use the correct tense. Use "it derives from" for the present tense or "it was derived from" for the past tense, maintaining grammatical accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using "it derived from" without a helping verb like "is" or changing the verb tense. Using "it derives from" or "it was derived from" ensures proper grammatical structure and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it derived from" functions as part of a clause aiming to indicate the origin or source of something. However, it's grammatically incorrect. Ludwig indicates that standard English requires "it derives from" or "it was derived from" for proper tense and structure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "it derived from" appears frequently across various sources, Ludwig identifies it as grammatically incorrect in standard English. The correct forms are "it derives from" (present tense) or "it was derived from" (past tense). This phrase is typically used to explain the origin or source of something, and is commonly found in news articles, scientific publications, and encyclopedias. To ensure clarity and grammatical correctness, it's important to use the appropriate tense and structure when discussing origins.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it originates from

Replaces 'derived' with 'originates', emphasizing the starting point.

it stems from

Uses 'stems' to highlight the idea of something growing or developing from a source.

it is sourced from

Emphasizes the origin as a source, often used for materials or information.

it is rooted in

Suggests a deep connection to the origin, implying a fundamental base.

it traces back to

Focuses on the historical path leading back to the origin.

it finds its origin in

A more formal way of saying 'it originates from'.

it has its basis in

Highlights the foundation or underlying principles as the origin.

it is born from

Implies a more creative or transformative origin.

it evolved from

Suggests a gradual development from the original source.

it is a product of

Focuses on the origin as a cause or creator.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say something comes from something else?

Use "it derives from" (present tense) or "it was derived from" (past tense) to correctly indicate the origin. The phrase "it derived from" is grammatically incorrect.

What can I say instead of "it derived from"?

Consider using phrases like "it originates from", "it stems from", or "it is sourced from" to express the same idea with correct grammar.

Which is correct, "it derived from" or "it derives from"?

"It derives from" is correct for the present tense, while "it derived from" is grammatically incorrect. You can also use "it was derived from" for the past tense.

What's the difference between "it derived from" and "it is derived from"?

"It is derived from" is the passive voice construction, indicating that something was taken or obtained from a source. The phrase "it derived from" is grammatically incorrect.