were devolved from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were devolved from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the origin or development of something, particularly in a biological or evolutionary context. Example: "The modern horse and its ancestors were devolved from a small, multi-toed creature that roamed the earth millions of years ago."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It has come about after the powers to make legislation relating to the Welsh language were devolved from Westminster to the assembly after lengthy discussions between the two governments.

BBC

Elsewhere though, he saw through major reforms to Scotland's civil justice system, deemed to have become inefficient, and, in one of his final ministerial acts, reduced the drink drive limit after new power were devolved from Westminster.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

More funding is devolved from Whitehall to regional authorities.

The Guardian

"For example, I think power should be devolved from Holyrood to communities.

The Guardian

Since 1997 extensive powers have been devolved from London to Edinburgh.

The Economist

As part of the peace agreement, power was devolved from Westminster to Belfast.

The Economist

In 1999, responsibility for drug-testing was devolved from the International Olympic Committee to the newly created World Anti-Doping Agency.

The Guardian

Authority is devolved from expertise to the data and thus, ultimately, to the patient.

The New York Times - Magazine

But the relevant allocations have not yet been devolved from Westminster.

The Guardian

He believed in pluralistic government, and in particular that power should be devolved from the federal government to the states.

The Economist

This was meant to be an historic week, when power was devolved from London to the Northern Irish assembly and a "power-sharing executive" of erstwhile enemies formed.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were devolved from", ensure that the subject clearly indicates what powers, responsibilities, or attributes are being transferred from a central authority to a local or subordinate entity. For clarity, specify both the origin and destination of the devolved elements.

Common error

Avoid using "were devolved from" with singular subjects. Ensure the subject is plural to match the verb "were". For example, use "powers were devolved from" instead of "power were devolved from".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were devolved from" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating the transfer of power, authority, or responsibility from one entity to another. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it describes how powers are redistributed from a central authority to a local or regional one.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were devolved from" is a grammatically correct passive voice construction used to describe the transfer of power or responsibility from a central authority, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is most commonly found in news and media, as well as in scientific and formal business contexts. While not extremely common, its usage is clear and consistent. When writing, ensure the subject is plural to match "were" and that the context clearly indicates both the source and destination of the devolved powers. Related phrases include "were transferred from" and "originated from".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were transferred from

This alternative focuses on the act of transferring something, implying a shift of control or responsibility.

were delegated from

This option highlights the assignment of tasks or responsibilities to a lower level.

were passed down from

This suggests a hierarchical transfer, often implying inheritance or tradition.

originated from

This alternative emphasizes the point of origin or commencement.

stemmed from

This indicates that something arose or developed as a consequence of something else.

were derived from

This suggests that something was obtained or extracted from a source.

descended from

This implies a lineage or hereditary connection.

were inherited from

This emphasizes the receipt of something, usually implying a legal or formal transfer.

were ceded from

This alternative underlines the act of formally surrendering or relinquishing control.

were transitioned from

This expresses a gradual or phased shift from one state or entity to another.

FAQs

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

The phrase "were devolved from" indicates that certain powers, responsibilities, or functions have been transferred from a central authority to a local or subordinate entity. For example: "The powers to legislate on environmental issues "were devolved from" the federal government to the states".

What phrases are similar to "were devolved from"?

Similar phrases include "were transferred from", "were delegated from", and "originated from". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was devolved from" instead of "were devolved from"?

No, "was devolved from" is used with singular subjects, while "were devolved from" is used with plural subjects. For example, "Power was devolved from the central government," but "Powers "were devolved from" the central government."

In what contexts is "were devolved from" commonly used?

The phrase "were devolved from" is commonly used in political science, public administration, and organizational management contexts to describe the redistribution of authority or responsibilities. Ludwig's examples show its use in discussing governmental powers and responsibilities.