to stem from

USAGE SUMMARY

"to stem from" is a correct phrase and is commonly used in written English.
It means to originate or have its roots in something. Example: The rising crime rate in the city stems from the lack of job opportunities for young people.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Force your arguments to stem from evidence, never from authority.

The Guardian

Some police activity seemed to stem from the attacks.

The New York Times

Still, some complaints seem to stem from the F.B.I.'s shifting status under Mr. Ashcroft.

The New York Times

Yet Dr. Olson's greatest satisfaction seems to stem from his interdisciplinary approach to astronomical sleuthing.

The New York Times - Science

His interest in modeling seemed to stem from a wish to live in New York.

The New York Times - Style

The Fed's actions on Wednesday were not its first to stem from the leak.

The New York Times

You shouldn't do a financial transaction with funds that appear to stem from unlawful activity.

The New Yorker

The hope is going to stem from the effort we put forth".

The New York Times - Sports

But such improvisation has to stem from "a controlled and slightly disciplined imagination".

The New York Times

Whether deliberate or accidental, Mr. Koizumi's ambiguity appears to stem from a variety of causes.

The New York Times

An investigator said that the shooting appeared to stem from an earlier argument.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to stem from" to clearly indicate the origin or cause of a situation, feeling, or idea, ensuring the connection is evident to the reader.

Common error

While "to stem from" is useful, avoid using it repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language by using synonyms like "originate from", "arise from", or "derive from" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to stem from" functions as a verb phrase indicating the origin or cause of something. It connects an effect to its source, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples where problems, actions, or feelings "to stem from" particular circumstances or events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to stem from" is a commonly used verb phrase that effectively communicates the origin or cause of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media and scientific writing. When using "to stem from", ensure clarity in establishing the causal relationship. While versatile, avoid overuse by employing synonyms such as "originate from" or "arise from" to enhance readability. The phrase's prevalence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to originate from

Focuses more directly on the point of origin.

to arise from

Implies a more gradual or emergent beginning.

to derive from

Suggests a process of obtaining or receiving something from a source.

to result from

Highlights the consequence or outcome of something.

to be caused by

Emphasizes the causal relationship between two things.

to have its roots in

Highlights the historical or foundational basis of something.

to be a consequence of

Emphasizes the effect or outcome resulting from a specific cause.

to be born out of

Suggests that something emerges as a direct result of a particular situation or experience.

to spring from

Implies a sudden or quick emergence from something.

to issue from

Indicates a formal or official origin or source.

FAQs

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

Use "to stem from" to indicate the origin or cause of something. For example, "The company's success seems "to stem from" its innovative marketing strategies."

What are some alternatives to "to stem from"?

You can use alternatives such as "originate from", "arise from", or "derive from" to vary your writing while maintaining a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "to stem from" in formal writing?

Yes, "to stem from" is suitable for formal writing as it is a grammatically correct and widely accepted phrase in academic and professional contexts.

What's the difference between "to stem from" and "to result from"?

While both indicate a cause-and-effect relationship, ""to stem from"" emphasizes the origin or root cause, whereas "to result from" highlights the outcome or consequence.