retrieved out of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "retrieved out of" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that something has been taken or extracted from a source, but it is better to use more conventional phrasing. Example: "The data was retrieved out of the database for analysis."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Ten cases of RCC with tubopapillary architecture composed of voluminous clear cells were retrieved out of 17,500 archived renal tumors.

Pathology

However, 1821 questionnaires were successfully retrieved, out of which 195 questionnaires were discarded due to incomplete and/or inappropriate responses.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

Using the specified procedure for acquisition of necessary data, 641 articles were retrieved, out of which 315, mainly in the form of journal articles, books and reviews; were used for compilation of the current review.

Clinical Phytoscience

One of the unit's leaders was Zekeriya Kuzu, a green-eyed sergeant major who came into prominence after being retrieved out of a cavern under the national spotlight.

Huffington Post

A total of 12 citations were retrieved, out of literal millions, and none was a study of health effects of bone broth.

Huffington Post

All other conditions are without index and subsequently retrieved out of the number of all probe sets per comparison.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

He has also ventured into the El Paso schools, retrieving out-of-tune pianos from janitorial closets and introducing kids to the classics.

The New Yorker

Martin-Ordas relied on our primate cousins' ability to learn to use tools to retrieve out-of-reach rewards.

Los Angeles Times

Through a step-by-step training procedure, we trained degus (Octodon degus) to use a rake-like tool with their forelimbs to retrieve otherwise out-of-reach rewards.

Plosone

Throughout this paper, we use this classification, and focus in particular on sequential tool use, i.e. the use of tools to retrieve other, out-of-reach objects that will serve as tools.

Plosone

We investigated how repeated, five-minute familiarization sessions occurring once a week over a 6-week period influenced infants' knowledge about the functional properties of a rake-like tool and their ability to use it for retrieving an out of reach object by 16 months of age.

Cognitive Development

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "retrieved out of" only when emphasizing the physical act of taking something from within a confined space or source. In most contexts, "retrieved from" is a better choice.

Common error

Avoid using "retrieved out of" when a simpler "retrieved from" will suffice. The addition of "out of" can make the sentence sound convoluted without adding significant meaning. Remember, conciseness often improves clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retrieved out of" functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating the source or origin from which something was taken or obtained. It modifies a verb, specifying where an item or information was extracted, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically acceptable, the phrase "retrieved out of" is less common and can often sound awkward. Ludwig suggests that using alternatives like "extracted from" or "obtained from" can enhance clarity and conciseness in most contexts. As evidenced by the prevalence in scientific and news sources, it's important to consider the audience and choose the most effective phrasing. The decision to use "retrieved out of" should be deliberate, emphasizing the physical act of extraction, and mindful of potential better alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Extracted from

Emphasizes the process of taking something out of a larger entity.

Recovered from

Highlights the act of regaining something that was lost or inaccessible within a source.

Obtained from

Focuses on the acquisition of something from a particular source.

Derived from

Indicates that something originates or is based on a specific source.

Taken from

A simpler and more direct way of expressing the extraction of something.

Sourced from

Highlights the origin or supplier of something.

Pulled from

Suggests a more forceful or deliberate extraction.

Drawn from

Implies that something is selected or gathered from a source.

Culled from

Suggests a selective gathering of information or items.

Removed from

Focuses on the action of taking something away from a source, often emphasizing separation.

FAQs

What's the difference between "retrieved out of" and "retrieved from"?

"Retrieved from" is generally preferred because it's more concise and widely accepted. "Retrieved out of" can sound awkward and is best reserved for situations where you want to emphasize the physical extraction from within something.

How can I use "retrieved out of" in a sentence?

Use "retrieved out of" when you want to highlight that something was taken from within a specific location or source. For instance, "The data was retrieved out of the database." However, consider alternatives like "extracted from" or "obtained from" for greater clarity.

What can I say instead of "retrieved out of"?

You can use alternatives like "extracted from", "obtained from", or "derived from" depending on the context. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "retrieved out of" grammatically incorrect?

While not strictly incorrect, "retrieved out of" is less common and can sound awkward to native English speakers. It's often better to use "retrieved from" or another more concise alternative for better clarity and flow.