it stems not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it stems not" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in formal or literary contexts to indicate that something does not originate or arise from a particular source. Example: "The issue at hand stems not from a lack of resources, but from poor management."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Its weapon of choice is the general strike, shutting the country down with tiresome regularity.If there is an argument now for optimism, it stems not from the League's moderation, but from its fear of military intervention, and its hopes for a winner-takes-all electoral victory.

The Economist

It stems not just from the French Revolution and a romance about the solidarity of the streets.

The New York Times

That is because it stems not just from a growing economy, and an older work force that has been retiring at progressively younger ages, but from a shrinking number of young workers, too.

The New York Times

In Mr. Greenspan's view, growth in demand is exceeding the corresponding increase in supply because it stems not from an increase in the nation's capacity to produce but from wealth created by rising prices for stocks, homes and other assets, the gyrations of the last few weeks on Wall Street notwithstanding.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"I remember going to a station picnic the Saturday before the Indy 500, and thinking to myself the whole time, Please, please let me get out of here without anyone saying, 'Hey, what happened to your blushing?' " It was, she found, precisely the same embarrassment as before, only now it stemmed not from blushing but from its absence.

The New Yorker

She said it stemmed not just from a shaky economy but also from a sense that great institutions — like government and major corporations — might not be reliable saviors in a crisis.

The New York Times

Yet at least part of the anger, it seemed, stemmed not only from the deaths of Uday and Qusay but also from the free-fall that Saddam Hussein's relatives have experienced since the American invasion.

The New York Times

Other scholars agree that the emphasis on self-control increased but think that it may have stemmed not only from the diffusion of courtly manners.

The New York Times - Arts

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Vice

She says it stems from people not caring about women and believing that Louis C.K.'s actions were "not that bad".

Huffington Post

He said it stemmed from not finding out until he was 30 that the woman he believed to be his mother was really his grandmother and that his "sister" was the one who had "shamefully" given birth to an illegitimate son.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it stems not" in formal writing or when aiming for a slightly elevated tone. This construction can add emphasis to what something does stem from, by first clarifying what it does not.

Common error

Avoid using "it stems not" in casual conversation or informal writing. The phrase can sound stilted or unnatural in such contexts. Opt for simpler alternatives like "it doesn't come from" or "it isn't caused by".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it stems not" functions as a negative assertion regarding the origin or cause of something. It sets up a contrast, indicating what something does not arise from before potentially clarifying its actual source. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it stems not" is a grammatically correct but relatively rare construction used primarily in formal writing to emphasize the lack of origin from a specific source. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is most commonly found in news and media, with some presence in scientific contexts. When using this phrase, consider the register of your writing and whether a simpler alternative might be more appropriate. The phrase sets up a contrast, highlighting the actual source by first clarifying what something does not arise from.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it does not originate from

Replaces "stems" with a more direct synonym, maintaining the formal tone.

it doesn't derive from

Uses "derive" as a more formal synonym for "stem", suitable for academic contexts.

it doesn't arise from

Uses "arise" as a synonym for "stem", offering a slightly less formal alternative.

it is not caused by

Shifts the focus to causation, replacing "stems" with "caused by".

it is not a result of

Similar to "caused by", but emphasizes the outcome or consequence.

it is not born of

Employs a more metaphorical and literary tone, suggesting origin or creation.

it has no basis in

Focuses on the lack of foundation or support, rather than direct origin.

it is not predicated on

Highlights the absence of a specific condition or assumption.

it is independent of

Indicates a lack of connection or reliance on something else.

it is unrelated to

Simply states that there is no connection or relationship.

FAQs

What does "it stems not" mean?

The phrase "it stems not" means that something does not originate or arise from a particular source or cause. It's a formal way of saying something is not caused or derived from something else.

How can I use "it stems not" in a sentence?

You can use "it stems not" to emphasize what something is not caused by, before explaining its true origin. For example, "The problem "it stems not" from a lack of effort, but from a lack of resources."

What can I say instead of "it stems not"?

You can use alternatives like "it does not originate from", "it is not caused by", or "it doesn't arise from" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "it stems not" or "it does not stem"?

Both ""it stems not"" and "it does not stem" are grammatically correct, but ""it stems not"" is a more formal or literary construction. "It does not stem" is more common in everyday language.