they were derived

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were derived" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the origin or source of something, indicating that it has been obtained or developed from another source. Example: "The results of the experiment indicate that the conclusions they were derived from previous studies."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were derived from distant relatives of the modern coelacanth.

Britannica

They were derived from the archaeology of the Aeolian Islands off Sicily.

The New York Times - Arts

But numbers can be misleading, especially if you don't know how they were derived.

The Guardian - Opinion

Turning to brown fat cells, he followed the general assumption that they were derived from white fat cells.

The New York Times - Science

UnitedHealth disputes those numbers, so the attorney general will need to offer a fuller explanation of how they were derived.

The New York Times

They were derived from the mammary gland cell line that gave rise to Dolly1 (Supplementary Table 1).

Nature

They were derived from the crossopterygians that emerged in the Devonian from freshwater settings.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She pushed forward the study of dendritic cells, realising that they were derived from Langerhans cells and played an important role in initiating and promoting immune reactions.

The Guardian

P.S.C. species usually have a smaller number of individuals than the B.S.C. species they were derived from, and are therefore more likely to be classified as endangered.

The New Yorker

Using tear-out sheets, the reader is encouraged to deal with some difficult bidding problems before studying the deals from which they were derived.

The New York Times - Books

David F. Poltrack, chief research officer for CBS, said the Mediamark numbers were unreliable, because they were derived from people's often-low reports of their own TV watching.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were derived", ensure the subject clearly refers to a plural noun and that the context indicates a clear source or origin.

Common error

Avoid using "they were derived" when the subject is singular; ensure the subject refers to multiple items or a plural concept. For example, instead of "The idea they were derived from...", use "The ideas they were derived from..." or "The idea was derived from..."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were derived" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject (they) received the action of being derived. This is consistent with examples found by Ludwig, where it highlights the origin or source of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

24%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were derived" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction to indicate the origin or source of something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use, especially in scientific, academic, and news contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure that the subject is plural and that the context clearly indicates the source. Alternatives like "they originated from" or "they stemmed from" can be considered for stylistic variation. Pay attention to maintaining grammatical agreement and choose the appropriate tense to accurately reflect the relationship between the subject and its source.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they originated from

Replaces "derived" with "originated from", emphasizing the starting point or initial source.

they stemmed from

Emphasizes the idea that something developed or arose from a particular source.

they came from

A simpler, more direct way of indicating origin or source.

they were sourced from

Highlights the act of obtaining something from a specific origin.

they were based on

Focuses on the foundation or underlying principle from which something was developed.

they were extracted from

Suggests that something was taken or obtained from a larger source.

they were developed from

Emphasizes the process of growth and evolution from an initial state or source.

their origin was in

Shifts the focus to the origin itself, rather than the act of derivation.

they are attributable to

Indicates that something can be credited or assigned to a specific source.

they find their roots in

Uses a metaphor to suggest that something has deep connections to a particular origin.

FAQs

How can I use "they were derived" in a sentence?

Use "they were derived" to indicate the origin or source of something plural. For example, "The conclusions "they were derived from" the data collected." Remember to ensure grammatical agreement with the subject.

What are some alternatives to "they were derived"?

You can use alternatives like "they originated from", "they stemmed from", or "they were based on" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "it was derived" instead of "they were derived"?

The choice between "it was derived" and "they were derived" depends on whether the subject is singular or plural. Use "it was derived" for a singular subject and "they were derived" for a plural subject to maintain grammatical accuracy.

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

"They were derived from" implies a past action, indicating that something was obtained or developed from a source in the past. "They are derived from" suggests a present or ongoing relationship, meaning the source continues to influence or provide the basis for something in the present. The choice depends on the intended timeframe.