was borrowed from

USAGE SUMMARY

'was borrowed from' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use 'was borrowed from' when you are referring to someone who has taken an item but is expected to return it. For example, "She borrowed the car from her friend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

This provision was borrowed from Prussian practice.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Six million was borrowed from the bank.

The New Yorker

The Japanese game Go was borrowed from the Chinese.

The New Yorker

The mention of "black-robed rulers" was borrowed from Scalia.

The Washington Post

Even his name was borrowed from America - from Herman Melville.

The Guardian - Film

His initial investment of $10,000 was borrowed from his family dentist.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Gallup was borrowing from the insights of social science.

The New Yorker

I think he was borrowing from Peter to pay Paul".

The New York Times

The tune is borrowed from Bob Dylan.

The Guardian - Music

Hydraulics were borrowed from old fighter airplanes.

The New York Times

(That part is borrowed from "Temptation Island").

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was borrowed from" when you want to emphasize that something wasn't original and it's origin comes from someone or something else.

Common error

Avoid using "was borrowed from" without specifying the original source. Always provide clear attribution to avoid plagiarism and give credit where it is due.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was borrowed from" functions as a passive construction indicating the origin or derivation of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig show it used to describe the origins of ideas, techniques, names, and even physical items.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was borrowed from" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate the origin or derivation of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase follows standard grammar rules and is suitable for use in written English to signal that something was taken from someone or something else, implying an expectation of return or acknowledgment. The phrase is most frequently found in "News & Media" and "Science", and demonstrates a neutral tone, suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

When employing "was borrowed from", be sure to specify the source to maintain clarity and avoid any ambiguity. Consider using alternatives like "derived from" or "inspired by" to nuance the meaning. In conclusion, "was borrowed from" is a versatile phrase that can be a useful tool in your writing when used thoughtfully and accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

originated from

Focuses on the point of origin rather than the act of borrowing.

derived from

Implies a process of development or evolution from a source.

taken from

A more general term indicating extraction or appropriation.

adapted from

Suggests modification or alteration of the original source.

inspired by

Highlights the influence of the source on the creation of something new.

modeled after

Indicates that something is designed to resemble the original source.

based on

Implies that the source provides the foundation or groundwork.

influenced by

Suggests a more subtle impact of the source on the subject.

drawn from

Similar to "taken from", but often implies a more selective or deliberate choice.

adopted from

Suggests the source was accepted and integrated for a certain use.

FAQs

How can I use "was borrowed from" in a sentence?

Use "was borrowed from" to indicate that an idea, concept, or item originated from a particular source. For example, "The melody "is borrowed from" a traditional folk song".

What are some alternatives to "was borrowed from"?

You can use alternatives like "derived from", "inspired by", or "adapted from" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "was loaned from" instead of "was borrowed from"?

"Was loaned from" implies a temporary transfer with the expectation of return, typically involving physical items. While similar, "was borrowed from" is more versatile and applies to both tangible and intangible elements.

What's the difference between "was influenced by" and "was borrowed from"?

"Was influenced by" suggests a more subtle and indirect impact, while "was borrowed from" implies a direct and intentional adoption or adaptation of something from a specific source.