trace up

USAGE SUMMARY

"trace up" is not a phrase used in written English.
You might use the phrase "trace back" instead. For example, "I had to trace back all my family's ancestors to find out where the name originated."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Most people living outside Africa can trace up to 4% of their DNA to a Neanderthal origin, a consequence of interbreeding between the two groups after the great migration from the contintent.

The Guardian

When the genetic sequence of Homo neanderthalensis was published in 2010, one of the headline findings was that most people outside Africa could trace up to 4% of their DNA to Neanderthals.

The Guardian

DFM uses three identifiers to mark a flow in order to trace up to the attacker node.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

However, since DFM should be able to trace up to the attacker node even if the attacker is behind a NAT, the ingress interface IP address will be useless in this case.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

Using DFM, the destination is able to trace up to the source node of the received traffic by extracting the edge router's IP Address, NI-ID, and Node-ID from the marked packets of each flow.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

It should be noted here that the other traceback methods in the face of such a situation are only able to trace up to the edge router and therefore, they would cut off the access of all nodes forwarded by the edge router.  .

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The next shot is a close-up of a bloodied foot that traces up a body to reveal a corpse.

The Guardian - Film

His career is traced up from the mailroom where he worked with David Geffen, up to his ascendancy as head of media company InterActiveCorp, or IAC.

The New York Times

His career is traced up from the mailroom where he worked with David Geffen, up to his ascendancy as head of IAC/InterActiveCorp.

The New York Times

From that point onward, a more or less continuous history of such reflection can be traced up to the present day.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Jonathan Saunders tempered the sexuality of his predominantly patent collection with a ladylike lace pump, even though it was in lipstick red with velvet laces tracing up the ankle.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and precision, it's advisable to use "trace back" or "track down" instead of "trace up", as they are more widely accepted and understood.

Common error

Avoid using "trace up" in formal writing. Opt for more conventional alternatives like "trace back" or "track down" to maintain credibility and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trace up" functions as a phrasal verb, attempting to combine the action of following a path or lineage ("trace") with an upward direction. However, Ludwig indicates it's not a standard or widely accepted construction in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "trace up" appears in various contexts, particularly Science, News & Media, and Wiki sources, Ludwig AI indicates that it is not a standard or grammatically correct phrase in written English. Its intended meaning relates to investigating or following something to its source. For more formal and precise communication, alternatives such as "trace back", "track down", or "investigate" are recommended. Relying on established phrasal verbs ensures clarity and credibility in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trace back

Indicates a movement or investigation towards the origin or source of something.

track down

Implies a determined search to find someone or something, often after a considerable effort.

follow up

Suggests further investigation or action to pursue a lead or complete a task.

ascertain

Emphasizes the process of finding something out for certain, often through investigation.

investigate

Highlights a systematic or formal inquiry to discover and examine the facts of an incident, allegation, etc. so as to establish the truth.

determine the origin

Focuses on finding the starting point or cause of something.

uncover

Suggests revealing something previously hidden or unknown through careful searching.

find the source

Emphasizes locating the origin or cause of something.

detect

Focuses on discovering or noticing something, especially something not easily noticed.

identify

Highlights the act of establishing or recognizing something as being a particular thing.

FAQs

What does "trace back" mean and when should I use it?

"Trace back" means to find the origin or cause of something by investigating its history or development. Use it when you need to follow a sequence of events to its starting point.

Is "trace up" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, "trace up" is not a commonly used phrase in written English. Consider using "trace back" instead.

What are some alternatives to "trace up"?

Alternatives to "trace up" include "track down", "follow up", or "investigate", depending on the context.

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

You can use "trace back" in a sentence like, "Investigators are trying to trace back the source of the contamination" or "We need to trace back the origins of this tradition".