they were born of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were born of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the origin or source of something, often in a metaphorical or figurative sense. Example: "The ideas they presented were born of years of research and collaboration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

No, because they were born of honesty.

The New York Times - Magazine

Keyboards are played with slight imperfections that sound as if they were born of frustration.

The New York Times - Arts

More jobs played a part but, as with the reductions in poverty under the last Labour government in Britain, they were born of progressive policy efforts.

The Guardian

They were born of the first stirrings of the green movement in the late 60s and a chance mispronunciation by one of Beresford's children as they walked across it to "Wombledon Common".

The Guardian - Books

The myriad successes of the Nordic countries are no miracle, they were born of a combination of Lutheran modesty, peasant parsimony, geographical determinism and ruthless pragmatism ("The Russians are attacking? Join the Nazis! The Nazis are losing? Join the Allies!").

The Guardian

They were born of instinct, insight, taste and judgment, as those of good musicians habitually are, but in his case with a special place reserved for the play of judgment.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

That generation's waste-not want-not neuroses are understandable: they're born of painful memories of wartime shortage.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The problem is that they are born of an ideological hybrid that wrong-foots our political class.

The Guardian - Opinion

They are born of an emerging system where injustice motivates, technology enables, humans create and the internet amplifies and proliferates.

The Guardian

Predicted by Einstein, confirmed to exist this week, they are born of black holes colliding and the sound of space time itself warping through the Earth.

The Guardian

Nothing similar is offered by any of the big messaging apps not even China's WeChat, poised to become the world's largest.What poor-country innovations typically have in common is that they are born of scarcity.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add impact, consider using "they were born of" when describing abstract concepts like ideas, movements, or feelings, lending a sense of origin and development to the subject.

Common error

Avoid using "they were born of" with a singular subject. For example, instead of saying "The idea they presented were born of years of research" use "The ideas they presented were born of years of research" or "The idea originated from years of research."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were born of" functions as a passive construction indicating origin or creation. As Ludwig shows, it connects a plural subject to its source, often in a metaphorical or abstract sense. This structure highlights the origin rather than the agent of creation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were born of" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote the origin or source of something, often in a metaphorical or abstract context. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it also reveals that the phrase is most commonly found in news and media sources, demonstrating its broad applicability. When writing, ensure the subject is plural and consider alternatives like "they originated from" for a more direct tone. Avoiding singular subjects ensures grammatical accuracy and clarity. "They were born of" is a valuable tool for expressing origins and influences with nuance and depth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they originated from

Replaces the idiomatic "born of" with a more direct expression of origin.

they arose from

Suggests a gradual emergence or development from a source.

they stemmed from

Implies that the origin is a root or foundational cause.

they were created by

Focuses on the act of creation rather than the origin of the concept.

they derived from

Indicates that something is obtained or extracted from a source.

they were a product of

Highlights that something is the result of specific factors or influences.

they were inspired by

Emphasizes the inspirational source behind something.

they were developed from

Focuses on a process of improvement and evolution from an initial state.

they emerged out of

Highlights the process of something coming out of a particular situation or condition.

their genesis was in

A more formal and literary way of expressing the origin of something.

FAQs

What does "they were born of" mean?

The phrase "they were born of" indicates the origin or source of something, often in a metaphorical sense. It suggests that something originated or was created from a particular cause, idea, or situation. For example, "The new policies were born of necessity."

How can I use "they were born of" in a sentence?

Use "they were born of" to describe the origins or inspirations behind an idea, movement, or feeling. Ensure that the subject is plural, and the "of" is followed by the source or reason. For instance, "Their innovative designs were born of a desire to solve everyday problems."

What can I say instead of "they were born of"?

You can use alternatives like "they originated from", "they arose from", or "they stemmed from" depending on the context. These alternatives offer a similar meaning while varying in formality and nuance.

Is "they were born of" formal or informal?

"They were born of" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's often found in more descriptive or narrative writing. For a more direct and formal tone, consider alternatives like "they originated from" or "they derived from".