was retrieved from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was retrieved from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating the source or origin of information, data, or materials that have been obtained. Example: "The data for this analysis was retrieved from the national database."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Another bottle was retrieved from the snow.

The Guardian - Travel

The literature was retrieved from the Medline and CINAHL databases.

Nurse Education Today

Many a green handkerchief was retrieved from many a breast pocket.

The Guardian - Music

Clinical information was retrieved from medical records.

Duke University

Information was retrieved from the offender's prison files.

Health & Justice

Pain intensity was retrieved from the 1-week pain diary.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

The curated set of resistance genes was retrieved from literatures.

Clinical and Translational Medicine

Core#3 was retrieved from the same Berea sandstone.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

The information was retrieved from the main Paris attacks suspect's (Abdel Salam) laptop.

Forbes

Everything was retrieved from the trash.

Los Angeles Times

His arm was retrieved from the shark's gullet and reattached.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was retrieved from", ensure that the source is clearly identified and credible to enhance the reliability of your statement.

Common error

Avoid excessive use of passive voice constructions like "was retrieved from". Consider active voice alternatives for a more direct and engaging writing style; for example, instead of saying "The information was retrieved from the database", try "We retrieved the information from the database."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was retrieved from" functions as a passive construction, indicating the source from which something was obtained. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct construction, commonly used to specify the origin of data, information, or objects. The examples from Ludwig illustrate its application across diverse contexts, reinforcing its role in academic, scientific, and general writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

23%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was retrieved from" is a grammatically correct and very common passive construction used to denote the source of information, data, or objects. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. It is particularly prevalent in scientific and academic writing, as well as news reporting, where clear attribution is essential. While alternatives like "was obtained from" and "was sourced from" exist, "was retrieved from" maintains a neutral to formal tone suitable for professional and scholarly contexts. Be mindful of overusing passive voice and consider active voice alternatives for more engaging writing. By ensuring source credibility and avoiding overuse, you can effectively utilize "was retrieved from" to enhance the clarity and reliability of your written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was obtained from

Focuses on the act of acquiring something from a source, similar to retrieving.

was sourced from

Emphasizes the origin or place from which something came.

was extracted from

Highlights the act of taking something out of a larger source.

was acquired from

Similar to obtained, but may imply a more formal or complex process of gaining something.

was gathered from

Indicates that something was collected from multiple sources.

was taken from

A more general term indicating the removal of something from a source.

was drawn from

Suggests that something was derived or inferred from a source.

was accessed from

Emphasizes the act of gaining entry to a source to obtain something.

was derived from

Highlights the origin and how something was developed or obtained.

originated from

Focuses on the initial source or beginning of something.

FAQs

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

Use "was retrieved from" to indicate the source of information or an object, for example, "The data "was retrieved from" the database" or "The artifact "was retrieved from" the excavation site".

What are some alternatives to "was retrieved from"?

You can use phrases such as "was obtained from", "was sourced from", or "was extracted from" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing where data came from?

While "was retrieved from" is grammatically correct in the passive voice, using the active voice (e.g., "We retrieved the data from...") can make your writing more direct and engaging. Choose the voice that best suits your writing style and the context.

What's the difference between "was retrieved from" and "was recovered from"?

"was recovered from" often implies that something was lost or in a difficult state before being found again, while ""was retrieved from"" simply means it was obtained from a specific source. The terms are similar, but "was recovered from" carries the extra connotation of recovery.