trace back to

USAGE SUMMARY

"trace back to" is a commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to the process of going back to the origin or root of something in order to better understand it. For example, "The origin of the phrase can be traced back to the 17th century."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a tendency he can trace back to his childhood.

The Guardian - Books

Does it trace back to ancient food preservation techniques among Quecha-speaking Indians?

The New York Times

Wang's ambitions trace back to his undergraduate years at Duke, where he majored in computer science.

The New York Times - Magazine

Everything he says and does in that movie, you can also trace back to his roots.

The New York Times

In one way or another, the problems always trace back to execution.

The New York Times - Sports

And they all tell this same story that I trace back to Wilder and Wentworth.

The New York Times

Both family trees trace back to disco and other, earlier, common roots.

The New York Times - Arts

All of this they trace back to the work of one man: Alfred Kinsey.

The New Yorker

Melissa Gwyn's inspiration is also relatively easy to trace back to its source.

The New York Times

The pollution is extremely difficult to remove from the environment or trace back to its source.

The Guardian

Currently when a drone is captured it is difficult to trace back to an owner.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "trace back to" when you want to emphasize a journey of discovery or investigation to find the origin or cause of something.

Common error

Avoid using other prepositions instead of "to" after "trace back". For example, it's incorrect to say "trace back at" or "trace back from". Always use "trace back to" to maintain correct grammar.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trace back to" functions as a verb phrase used to describe the action of discovering or following a path to the origin or cause of something. As Ludwig examples show, it helps establish a connection between an event/fact and its roots.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

21%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "trace back to" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the process of discovering the origin or cause of something. As shown by Ludwig's examples, it is commonly used in news, science, and general writing. The phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted, making it suitable for various contexts. Related phrases include "originate from" and "stem from". When using "trace back to", ensure that you use the correct preposition "to" and avoid common errors. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage and grammatical correctness. The usage examples show its prevalence in contexts like news articles, scientific publications, and encyclopedic entries, proving that "trace back to" is a useful term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

originate from

Focuses on the starting point or beginning of something.

stem from

Emphasizes the cause or reason that something developed from.

be attributed to

Highlights the association of something with a particular cause or origin.

derive from

Indicates the source from which something is obtained or developed.

have its roots in

Suggests a deep-seated or historical connection to an origin.

be connected to

Implies a link or association with a particular source or cause.

be linked to

Similar to "be connected to", but often used in more formal contexts.

find its origin in

Highlights the act of discovering or identifying the source.

begin with

A more general way of indicating the starting point of something.

be a result of

Focuses on the outcome or consequence of a particular cause.

FAQs

What does "trace back to" mean?

The phrase "trace back to" means to discover the origin or source of something by investigating its history or development.

How can I use "trace back to" in a sentence?

You can use "trace back to" to indicate the origin or cause of something, such as: "The company's success can "be attributed to" its innovative marketing strategies."

What are some alternatives to "trace back to"?

Some alternatives to "trace back to" include "originate from", "stem from", or "be attributed to", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "trace back to" and "originate from"?

While both phrases refer to origins, "trace back to" implies a process of investigation or discovery, whereas "originate from" simply indicates the source or beginning.