that stems back to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that stems back to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that has its origin or root in something in the past. For example, "The tradition of celebrating Christmas stems back to the Roman Empire."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The club has a history that stems back to the early 1990s, a loyal fan base and is part of a market that the league have previously expressed an interest in.

The Guardian - Sport

But that stems back to pre-season and the physical, technical and tactical work".

BBC

There's not much empirical evidence that backs the claim that one grows more conservative with age, but its an axiom that stems back to at least 1922, to a book on aging written by American psychologist GS Hall.

Huffington Post

"We have a long relationship with the guys at Echo Nest that stems back to 2007 before Spotify was even launched as a service publicly.

TechCrunch

Our phylogenetic results support a deep evolutionary history of limited polygyny and brideprice/service that stems back to early modern humans and, in the case of arranged marriage, to at least the early migrations of modern humans out of Africa.

Plosone

I have a problem with men in face coverings that stems back to the time I was mugged as a teenager by a man in a balaclava, but I'm also a believer in shock therapy.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

That stemmed back to one of the least intense pre-seasons I've seen under Pep Guardiola and that had an effect until nearly mid-November.

BBC

The universality of marriage in human societies around the world suggests a deep evolutionary history of institutionalized pair-bonding that stems back at least to early modern humans.

Plosone

As a study of a trend that stems back almost 1,000 years, however, it is undeniably and ambitiously comprehensive.

Independent

And I can't help but think that maybe FiFi is right, that it all stems back to when some of us were called "faggots" as kids.

Vice

The case stems back to incidents that occurred in 2011 and 2012, during which Lejeune sexually assaulted Lamarre on the job.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that stems back to", ensure the connection between the present subject and its historical origin is clear and relevant to your overall argument.

Common error

Avoid using "that stems back to" when the relationship is merely coincidental or superficial; the phrase implies a fundamental and causational link.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that stems back to" functions as a connector indicating causality and historical origin. It connects a present condition or situation to its root cause in the past. As Ludwig AI explains, it shows the origin or root in something in the past.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that stems back to" is a useful connector for establishing a causal link to historical origins. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appropriate for indicating that something originates or has roots in the past. While not as common as simpler alternatives like "dates back to", it adds a layer of depth by suggesting a direct cause-and-effect relationship. The phrase is frequently found in News & Media and Science sources. Therefore, when aiming to show the origins of a particular fact, but with the intention of explaining the cause, use this phrase to show that there is a direct relation to something in the past.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that dates back to

Simply indicates that something existed at a particular time in the past.

that has its origins in

Directly states the presence of origins in a specified time or place.

that is rooted in

Implies a deep and fundamental connection to an earlier origin.

that originates from

Focuses on the point of origin rather than a continuous line.

that traces its history to

Focuses on the historical development and path from the past.

that is linked to

Emphasizes a connection or relationship between two things.

that derives from

Emphasizes the process of obtaining or developing from a source.

that arises from

Highlights how something emerges or results from a particular cause.

that is descended from

Implies a lineage or hereditary connection from an ancestor.

that is attributed to

Suggests a cause or reason that something can be credited to.

FAQs

What does "that stems back to" mean?

The phrase "that stems back to" means that something originates or has its roots in a particular time, event, or circumstance in the past.

How can I use "that stems back to" in a sentence?

You can use "that stems back to" to explain the origin or cause of something. For example, "The company's success "that stems back to" its innovative marketing strategies."

What are some alternatives to "that stems back to"?

Some alternatives include phrases like "that dates back to", "that originates from", or "that is rooted in", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "that stems back to" and "that goes back to"?

While both phrases indicate a connection to the past, "that stems back to" often implies a causal relationship or deeper origin, whereas "that goes back to" is a more general reference to a past time or event.