they came from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they came from" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the origin or source of a person, group, or thing. Example: "They came from a small town in the countryside, where everyone knew each other."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They came from photography.

The New York Times

They came from underground.

The New Yorker

They came from all ethnicities.

The Economist

They came from Kandal Province.

The New York Times

They came from unfortunate circumstances.

The New York Times - Books

They came from Al Qaeda".

The New York Times

They came from the researchers' statistical model.

The New York Times - Health

But they came from Fulham and Blackburn.

Independent

"They came from nothing," he told me.

The New Yorker

They came from about three dozen countries.

The New York Times - Health

"I thought they came from outside.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they came from" to provide context or background information, adding depth and understanding to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "they came from" without a clear antecedent for "they". Ensure your reader knows exactly who or what you're referring to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they came from" functions as a verb phrase indicating origin or source. It provides information about where a group of people, things, or ideas originated. As Ludwig AI confirm, it follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they came from" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to indicate origin or source. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard and acceptable phrase in English writing. Its frequency is very high, particularly in news and media, but it also appears in scientific and formal business contexts. To ensure clarity, it's essential to provide a clear reference for "they". While alternatives like "they originated in" or "they hail from" exist, "they came from" remains a common and effective choice for conveying origin.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

their origin was

Replaces the pronoun and verb with a noun phrase indicating the place or situation of beginning.

they originated in

Uses the verb 'originated' to specify the place or time something began.

their roots are in

Emphasizes the underlying source or foundation of something.

they hailed from

A more formal way of saying where someone is from.

they were derived from

Indicates that something is obtained or developed from a particular source.

they were born in

Focuses on the birthplace as the point of origin.

they emerged from

Suggests a process of coming out of something, often unexpectedly.

their background is

Highlights the experiences, knowledge, and education of someone.

they sprung from

Implies a quick or sudden origin.

they trace their origins to

A more formal way of indicating a historical or ancestral source.

FAQs

How can I use "they came from" in a sentence?

Use "they came from" to indicate the origin or source of a group of people, things, or ideas. For example, "They came from Italy", or "they came from humble beginnings".

What's a more formal alternative to "they came from"?

More formal alternatives include phrases like "they originated in" or "they hail from", which are often used in academic or professional contexts.

Is it correct to say "they come from" instead of "they came from"?

Yes, but the verb tense depends on the context. "They come from" suggests a present or habitual origin, while "they came from" refers to a past origin or event.

What's the difference between saying "they are from" and "they came from"?

"They are from" generally indicates current origin or affiliation, while "they came from" implies a past origin or where they were originally located or developed. For example, "They are from New York" (now) versus "they came from New York" (originally).