they stem from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they stem from" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate the origin or source of something, often in a causal context. Example: "The issues we are facing in the project stem from a lack of communication among team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Do they stem from something emotionally real?

The New York Times - Books

Or do they stem from insecurity, vanity, profound calculation?

The Guardian - Books

He says that Miyazaki's beliefs are not outmoded because they stem from a deeper place.

The Guardian - Film

I would guess they stem from her lack of intellectual curiosity and her concomitant arrogance.

The Guardian - Opinion

If they stem from anything it is political ideology, not objective, measurable evidence.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They stem from international conventions, which flow down into national laws and constitutions.

The Guardian - Tech

Income disparities, however, should be understood in perspective, as they stem from a number of causes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They stem from the particular policies that Argentina pursued in the 1990s (see article).

The Economist

Nor do they stem from a sudden conversion to the principle of democratic accountability.

The Economist

Economists have a range of views – there is nothing unusual in that, not least because they stem from different ideologies.

The Guardian - Opinion

More likely, they stem from an attitudinal change that makes great inequities more acceptable in American society.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they stem from" to indicate a causal relationship or origin, avoiding its overuse when a simpler phrase like "they come from" would suffice for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "they stem from" when the subject is singular. For a singular subject, use "it stems from" instead to maintain grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they stem from" functions as a causal connector, indicating the origin or source of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in English. It is commonly used to explain the reasons or roots of a phenomenon, idea, or problem.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they stem from" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to denote origin or causation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent use in English writing. While it appears most commonly in "News & Media" and "Science", it maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure that the subject is plural and that the context benefits from emphasizing the origin of the subject. Alternatives such as "they originate from" or "they arise from" can be used for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they originate from

Focuses on the point of origin, similar to 'stem from' but with a slightly more formal tone.

they arise from

Emphasizes the emergence or development from a source, implying a process.

they derive from

Highlights the extraction or obtaining from a source, often used in technical contexts.

they come from

A more general and informal way of indicating origin, suitable for everyday conversation.

they are caused by

Focuses on the causal relationship, emphasizing the reason or trigger for something.

they result from

Stresses the consequence or outcome of a particular cause or condition.

they are born of

A more figurative and literary way to describe the origin, often implying creation or inspiration.

they are a product of

Emphasizes that something is the result of a process or influence.

they germinate from

Implies a beginning point and a growth process.

their source is

Directly indicates where something originates, maintaining a neutral tone.

FAQs

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

Use "they stem from" to indicate the origin or cause of something when referring to multiple items. For example, "The project's delays "they stem from" insufficient planning and resource allocation".

What are some alternatives to "they stem from"?

You can use alternatives like "they originate from", "they arise from", or "they derive from" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it stem from" instead of "they stem from"?

No, "it stem from" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "it stems from" for singular subjects and ""they stem from"" for plural subjects.

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

"They stem from" indicates the origin or cause, while "they are from" simply indicates a place of origin or belonging. For instance, "The ideas "they stem from" a previous research project" versus "They are from New York".