it seems to stem from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seems to stem from" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the origin or source of a particular idea, feeling, or situation. Example: "Her anxiety seems to stem from a lack of confidence in her abilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

One explanation for this defensiveness is that it seems to stem from the overrating each man tended to give to his own performance.

Harvard Business Review

This cannot be accounted for stylistically or politically; it seems to stem from an attitude toward life which enables Miss McCullers to rise above the pressure of her environment and embrace white and black humanity in one sweep of apprehension and tenderness.

The New Yorker

And it seems to stem from this original motivation, as you described it, to avoid classifying this new energy-efficient plane that would compete against Airbuses as fundamentally different from older models of the 737 that would require expensive training of the pilots, even though a very crucial part of the plane was different.

The New York Times

For whatever reason, it seems to stem from an off-season meeting in Arizona where words were exchanged but, on Sunday, Sherman still made the effort to shake his opponents hand at the game's conclusion before an irked Crabtree refused, shoving Sherman in the face.

Independent

Defining vagueness is notoriously (and ironically) difficult, but it seems to stem from lack of precision in the meaning or reference of a term or phrase.

SEP

It seems to stem from self-protection.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

When Beck started his Record Club in 2009, it seemed to stem from a similar impulse.

The Guardian - Music

Although confusion reigned among many riders, much of it seemed to stem from a wariness of the unknown.

The New York Times

It seemed to stem from an October eye injury that was compounded by a hit in a game Nov. 17, when Phoenix's Martin Hanzal drove Pronger face first into the boards.

The New York Times

It all seems to stem from their separate relationships with Jacob.

Huffington Post

Where underfunding does occur, it seems to stem largely from the internal problems of those governments, which existed well before the recent economic crisis put additional pressure on their budgets.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it seems to stem from", ensure that the 'it' clearly refers to a previously mentioned subject to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying 'Problems arose, and it seems to stem from a lack of planning', specify 'The problems seem to stem from a lack of planning'.

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse of "it seems to stem from" can make your writing sound overly formal or stilted in casual conversation or informal writing. Use simpler alternatives like "it's because of" or "it comes from" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seems to stem from" functions as a causal connector, suggesting a perceived origin or cause of a situation, feeling, or idea. As seen in Ludwig, the phrase is often used to link an observation with its inferred source.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it seems to stem from" serves as a causal connector, indicating that something likely originates from a specific cause. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various writing styles, particularly news, scientific and formal business contexts. While "very common" it's important to avoid overusing the phrase in informal writing, where simpler alternatives might be more appropriate. When using this phrase, ensure that the 'it' is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity and maintain clarity. Common authoritative sources for this phrase include The New York Times and The Guardian, highlighting its use in reliable publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seems to arise from

Implies a more gradual or emergent development from the source.

it appears to originate from

Suggests a more formal and definitive point of origin.

it is attributable to

Indicates a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

it derives from

Focuses on the source as a foundation or root.

it is a consequence of

Emphasizes the outcome or result of the source.

it is born out of

Suggests the source is a condition or circumstance leading to something.

it is rooted in

Highlights the deeply embedded or fundamental nature of the source.

the origin seems to be

Shifts the focus to the act of identifying the starting point.

it is ascribable to

Focuses on assigning a cause or reason.

it has its genesis in

Suggests a more elaborate or historical process of coming into being.

FAQs

How can I use "it seems to stem from" in a sentence?

Use "it seems to stem from" to suggest that something originates or results from a particular cause or source. For example, "Her anxiety "it seems to stem from" a lack of confidence".

What can I say instead of "it seems to stem from"?

You can use alternatives like "it appears to originate from", "it arises from", or "it derives from" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it seems to stem from"?

Yes, "it seems to stem from" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate the apparent origin or cause of something.

What's the difference between "it seems to stem from" and "it is due to"?

"It seems to stem from" implies a degree of uncertainty or inference about the cause, while "it is due to" suggests a more direct and definite causal relationship.