they come from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they come from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the origin or source of something or someone. Example: "They come from a small town in the countryside, where everyone knows each other."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They come from anything.

The New York Times

They come from themountain.

The New Yorker

They come from God.

The New York Times

"They come from God, sir".

The New York Times

They come from outside yourself.

The New Yorker

They come from diverse industries.

The New York Times

Where had they come from?

The New York Times

Where have they come from?

The New York Times

They come from start-ups.

The New York Times

Where, in Africa, will they come from?

The Economist

First, where did they come from?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they come from", ensure that the pronoun "they" clearly refers to a specific group or entity to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "They come from diverse backgrounds", specify who "they" are: "The students come from diverse backgrounds."

Common error

Avoid using "they come from" when the antecedent of "they" is unclear or missing. This can confuse the reader. Always ensure that the pronoun has a clear and immediate reference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they come from" serves as a predicate in a sentence, indicating the origin or source of the subject ('they'). Ludwig AI confirms it is a common way to express origin. Examples from Ludwig show it used to describe geographical locations, backgrounds, or the source of ideas.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they come from" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the origin or source of something. Ludwig AI confirms this, stating it is usable in written English. This phrase appears frequently in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, highlighting its versatility. While there are no major grammatical pitfalls associated with its usage, ensuring clarity in pronoun reference is crucial. For a more formal tone, alternatives like "they originate from" may be used. Overall, "they come from" is a reliable and widely understood expression for indicating provenance, as demonstrated by various examples provided by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they originate from

Uses a more formal verb to indicate the beginning or arising of something.

they are derived from

Emphasizes the process of obtaining or developing something from a source.

they stem from

Suggests that something arises as a natural consequence or development.

their source is

Focuses on identifying the specific place or thing that gives rise to something.

they are a product of

Highlights the idea that something is created or caused by something else.

they have their roots in

Implies a historical or fundamental connection to a particular origin.

they are born of

Suggests that something emerges or is created from a particular condition or situation.

they are a consequence of

Indicates that something happens as a result of something else.

they arise out of

Suggests that something emerges or develops from a particular situation or circumstance.

they begin with

Focuses on the starting point or initial stage of something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "they come from" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "they originate from", "they are derived from", or "their origins lie in".

What is a simple alternative to "they come from"?

Simpler alternatives include "they are from" or "they hail from", depending on the context.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "they come from"?

"They come from" is suitable in a variety of contexts, from describing someone's background (e.g., "They come from a small town") to explaining the source of ideas or products (e.g., "They come from innovative research").

Is there a difference between "they come from" and "they originate from"?

While both phrases indicate origin, "they originate from" often implies a more formal or official source, while "they come from" is generally more neutral and can be used in everyday conversation.