were drawn from

USAGE SUMMARY

"were drawn from" is correct and usable in written English.
Generally, it is used to indicate that something was extracted or taken from somewhere else. For example, "The data used in the study were drawn from a sample of 500 people."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Its curators were drawn from the fair.

The New York Times - Arts

Musical numbers performed yesterday were drawn from both shows.

The New York Times

Buckets of water were drawn from the river.

The Guardian

Four general conclusions were drawn from the Hawthorne studies: 1.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Its members were drawn from a variety of backgrounds.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Tooker's magical images were drawn from mundane experience.

The New York Times

Respondents were drawn from 36 sites.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Several conclusions were drawn from this analysis.

Protein & Cell

The songs were drawn from different genres.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

Data were drawn from interviews and diaries of password use.

International Journal of Human-Computer Studies

New insights were drawn from network governance studies.

Reliability Engineering & System Safety

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were drawn from" when you want to emphasize that something was selected or obtained from a particular source or pool. It implies a deliberate choice or derivation.

Common error

Avoid using "drawn from" in the active voice when it should be passive. Incorrect: "The study drew data from the database." Correct: "Data were drawn from the database."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were drawn from" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that something (e.g., data, conclusions) has been selected or derived from a specified source. As shown in Ludwig's examples, it's often used to describe the origin or basis of information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

21%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were drawn from" is a common and grammatically correct passive verb construction used to indicate that something has been selected, derived, or obtained from a particular source. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it's frequently used in scientific, academic, and news contexts to provide context and establish credibility by referencing the source of information. When writing, ensure that "were drawn from" is used in the passive voice, and consider alternatives like "originated from" or "stemmed from" to vary your language while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were taken from

Indicates a direct removal or extraction from a source.

were derived from

Highlights the process of obtaining something from a source through reasoning or calculation.

were obtained from

Focuses on the act of acquiring or gaining something from a source.

were sourced from

Focuses on the origin of materials or resources.

were selected from

Highlights the act of choosing from a larger set.

originated from

Focuses on the point of origin rather than the selection process implied by "were drawn from".

were excerpted from

Specifically refers to taking a portion or passage from a larger work.

stemmed from

Emphasizes the causal relationship and development from a source.

were based on

Indicates that something is founded or predicated on something else.

were influenced by

Highlights the impact or effect of a source on something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "were drawn from"?

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

When is it appropriate to use "were drawn from" in a sentence?

Use "were drawn from" when indicating that specific elements, data, or conclusions have been selected or derived from a particular source or collection. It emphasizes the source of the information or elements.

Is "were drawn from" formal or informal?

"Were drawn from" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, it's more commonly found in academic, scientific, or professional writing.

What's the difference between "were drawn from" and "were taken from"?

"Were drawn from" often implies a selection process, whereas "were taken from" suggests a more direct removal or extraction without necessarily implying a choice among multiple options.