were derived from

USAGE SUMMARY

"were derived from" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used in the passive voice, either as part of a larger verb phrase or as an independent clause. For example, "The results were derived from a rigorous set of experiments."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(The titles were derived from the scores).

The New York Times - Arts

The beef proteins were derived from hydrolysed cattle hides.

The Guardian

They were derived from the archaeology of the Aeolian Islands off Sicily.

The New York Times - Arts

Our questions were derived from the National Counterterrorism Center's internal documents.

The New York Times

The waters used for the irrigation of these farms were derived from shallow wells.

The New Yorker

Treatment guidelines were derived from pediatric experience.

Surgical Case Reports

Data were derived from interviews and observations.

Agricultural Systems

Emission factors were derived from literature values.

Energy Procedia

These compounds were derived from niphensamide.

Chinese Chemical Letters

Data representing mean ± SEM were derived from 3 independent experiments.

Protein & Cell

Three performance measures were derived from analysis of the video.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider alternative phrasings to "were derived from" to add variety to your writing. For instance, use "stemmed from" or "originated from" when appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "were derived from" without clearly specifying the source. For example, instead of saying "The data were derived from research", specify "The data were derived from a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were derived from" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating the source or origin of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly used in the passive voice. It emphasizes that something has been obtained or originated from a specific source, as showcased in the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were derived from" is a versatile and grammatically sound passive verb phrase used to indicate the source or origin of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's particularly prevalent in scientific and news contexts, emphasizing the provenance of information or materials. When employing this phrase, clarity is key – ensure the source is explicitly stated to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "originated from" or "stemmed from" to add variety to your writing. The high frequency and presence in authoritative sources underscore its importance in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

originated from

Focuses on the point of origin or beginning.

stemmed from

Implies a gradual development or branching out from a source.

were obtained from

Highlights the process of acquiring something from a source.

were sourced from

Emphasizes the origin or supplier of materials or information.

were drawn from

Suggests extracting or selecting from a larger pool of resources.

were extracted from

Implies a careful and deliberate removal of something from a source.

traced back to

Highlights the process of following something to its original source.

had their roots in

Emphasizes the fundamental origin or basis of something.

were developed from

Focuses on the process of creation or evolution from a starting point.

were based on

Highlights the foundation or underlying principles on which something is built.

FAQs

How can I use "were derived from" in a sentence?

Use "were derived from" to indicate the origin or source of something. For example, "The conclusions were derived from extensive research" or "The ingredients were derived from sustainable sources".

What is a good alternative to "were derived from"?

Alternatives include "stemmed from", "originated from", or "were obtained from", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "were derived from"?

The phrase "were derived from" is inherently passive. If you want to use the active voice, you could rephrase the sentence. For example, instead of "The results were derived from the experiment", you could say "The experiment yielded the results".

What's the difference between "were derived from" and "were based on"?

"Were derived from" implies a direct extraction or origin, while "were based on" suggests that something used as a foundation or starting point. For example, "The theory was derived from observations" (direct origin) vs. "The model was based on existing theories" (foundation).