were obtained from

USAGE SUMMARY

"were obtained from" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate the source or origin of something. For example: - The data used in the study were obtained from a national survey. - The ingredients for the recipe were obtained from a local farmer's market. - The information provided in the report was obtained from a variety of reliable sources.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The figures were obtained from hospital statistics.

Independent

Instead, the rights were obtained from Larry Kramer.

The New Yorker

were obtained from commercial sources.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Arthritis symptom assessments were obtained from the participants.

Huffington Post

Physical function assessment tests were obtained from the participants.

Huffington Post

Blood tests were obtained from the participants every 30 days.

Huffington Post

Fibromyalgia symptom assessments were obtained from the participants.

Huffington Post

URB597 were obtained from Cayman.

Plosone

Primers were obtained from SABiosciences.

Plosone

B65 cells were obtained from ECACC.

Plosone

Sperm were obtained from donor snails.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were obtained from", clearly specify the source to maintain transparency and credibility. Avoid vague references like "various sources".

Common error

While grammatically correct, excessive use of the passive voice ("") can make writing sound indirect. Consider using the active voice for a more engaging and direct style; for example, instead of "Data were obtained from the survey", try "We obtained the data from the survey".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were obtained from" functions as a passive voice construction indicating the source or origin of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used to specify where information or materials originated, as seen in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

81%

News & Media

17%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were obtained from" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to denote the source or origin of something, especially in formal writing. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, the phrase serves to enhance transparency and credibility by clearly indicating where data or materials originated. While effective, writers should be mindful of potential overuse of the passive voice and explore active voice alternatives where appropriate to maintain an engaging and direct writing style. Related phrases like "were acquired from" or "were derived from" offer nuanced variations for specific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were acquired from

Focuses on the act of gaining possession, emphasizing the process of acquisition rather than just the source.

were sourced from

Highlights the origin or supplier, particularly in a commercial or supply chain context.

were derived from

Implies a process of extraction or transformation, suggesting the original form was modified.

were gathered from

Suggests a collection process from multiple locations or sources.

were received from

Emphasizes the act of getting something, often from a sender or giver.

stemmed from

Indicates the origin or cause of something, often used for abstract concepts.

originated from

Highlights the place or time where something began.

came from

A simpler and more direct way of indicating the source or origin.

were taken from

Implies that something was removed or extracted from a source.

were extracted from

Suggests a careful or technical process of removal or separation.

FAQs

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

Use "were obtained from" to indicate the origin or source of information or materials. For example, "The results were obtained from a clinical trial".

What are some alternatives to "were obtained from"?

Alternatives include "were acquired from", "were sourced from", or "were derived from", depending on the specific context.

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

While "were obtained from" is grammatically correct (passive voice), using the active voice can often make your writing more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "The samples were obtained from patients", you could say "Researchers obtained the samples from patients".

What is the difference between "were obtained from" and "were derived from"?

"Were obtained from" simply indicates the source, while "were derived from" suggests that the source material has been processed or transformed in some way.