the source was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the source was" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the origin of information or data in a statement or report. Example: "In the research paper, the source was identified as a reputable journal article from 2020."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The source was Bloomberg News.

The New York Times

The source was not hard to determine.

The New York Times

The source was an anonymous "pal".

The Guardian

The privacy of the source was sacrosanct.

The Guardian

The source was willing to investigate further, but wanted payment.

The New Yorker

The source was said to be "an unnamed BBC insider".

The Guardian

It was like fruit juice, and the source was inexhaustible.

The New Yorker

The source was revealed when he passed something to me.

The New Yorker

The price for the Source was far higher, at $588 a square foot.

The New York Times

The EU is clearly something Her Majesty feels passionately about," the source was quoted as saying.

The Guardian

It took years for her to discover the source was sour.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the source was", ensure clarity by specifying what the source is and why it's relevant. For example, "The source was a peer-reviewed study, making the findings more credible."

Common error

Avoid using "the source was" excessively in your writing, as it can lead to passive voice. Instead, consider using a more active construction, such as "Researchers identified the source as..." for a more direct and engaging style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the source was" primarily functions as a declarative statement identifying the origin, cause, or basis of something. Ludwig confirms its correct usage. This phrase is frequently employed to provide context or explanation by specifying where something originated.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the source was" is a versatile phrase used to identify the origin or cause of something, commonly found in news, scientific, and formal contexts. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, consider using active voice constructions for more engaging writing. To enhance clarity, specify what the source is and why it's relevant. Avoiding overuse and opting for alternatives like "the origin was" or "the cause was" can prevent passive voice. By following these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate "the source was" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the origin was

Replaces "source" with "origin", focusing on the starting point or beginning.

the cause was

Substitutes "source" with "cause", highlighting the reason or explanation for something.

the reason was

Similar to "the cause was", but emphasizes the justification or rationale.

the origin stemmed from

Uses "stemmed from" to indicate the origin or derivation of something.

the basis was

Replaces "source" with "basis", emphasizing the foundation or underlying principle.

it originated from

Shifts to a more active voice, indicating where something began.

it derived from

Indicates that something was obtained or developed from a specific source.

the root was

Replaces "source" with "root", emphasizing the fundamental origin or cause.

the wellspring was

Uses "wellspring" metaphorically to describe a source of abundance or inspiration.

the provenance was

Employs a more formal term, "provenance", referring to the origin or history of something.

FAQs

How can I use "the source was" in a sentence?

You can use "the source was" to identify the origin of information, a problem, or an idea. For instance, "The source was identified as contaminated water" or "The source was a miscommunication between departments".

What is an alternative to saying "the source was"?

Alternatives include "the origin was", "the cause was", or "it stemmed from". For example, instead of "the source was a leak", you could say "the origin was a leak" or "it stemmed from a leak".

Is it better to use an active or passive voice with "the source was"?

While "the source was" is grammatically correct, using the active voice can make your writing more direct. For example, instead of "the source was identified by the team", try "the team identified the source".

Can "the source was" refer to a person?

Yes, "the source was" can refer to a person, especially when discussing information. For example, "the source was an anonymous informant".