which came from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which came from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the origin or source of something, often in a descriptive or explanatory context. Example: "The ancient artifact, which came from a long-lost civilization, was discovered during the excavation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The realised profits, which came from asset sales, were £216m.

The Guardian - Business

Talk story about the origin of assassination which came from ancient Persia of the 11th century.

The New Yorker

Zvonareva, 26, had 10 winners, only one of which came from her forehand.

The New York Times - Sports

It devoured a thousand truckloads of materials, which came from all over.

The New Yorker

As for the barnyard butchery, which came from the King novel, it occurred offstage (and silently).

The New York Times

It lives on in words like "adobe," which came from "tby," the Demotic for brick.

The New York Times - Science

The pope gave a special thanks for the "beautiful flowers," which came from the Netherlands.

The New York Times

Tells about some of the unsympathetic comments which came from other sections of the country.

The New Yorker

The best known is "Opposite Your Smile", which came from their stage musical, The Card.

Independent

Miss Vorderman dissociates herself from the quote, which came from a news agency.

The Guardian

But the effort produced only 101 yards rushing — 29 of which came from Sanchez.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which came from", ensure the clause is nonrestrictive and set off by commas. This clarifies that the information is additional and not essential to the sentence's core meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "that" in place of "which" when introducing a nonrestrictive clause. "That" is typically reserved for restrictive clauses that are essential to the sentence's meaning. For example, use "the data, which came from the survey, is reliable" not "the data that came from the survey is reliable."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which came from" functions as a relative clause, providing additional, non-essential information about the noun it modifies. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically sound and commonly found in various writing styles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

33%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which came from" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that introduces nonrestrictive clauses to explain the origin or source of something. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is widely accepted and applicable across various writing styles, particularly in news, science, and general contexts. When using this phrase, remember to set it off with commas to indicate that the information is additional and not essential to the sentence. Alternatives like "that originated from" or "that derived from" can be used to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that originated from

Uses "originated" for a slightly more formal tone, emphasizing the start or beginning.

that derived from

Implies a process of reasoning or development from a source.

that stemmed from

Suggests a more direct causal relationship or origin.

that arose from

Emphasizes the emergence or rise of something from a particular source.

that issued from

Formal, suggesting something being produced or sent out from a source.

that emanated from

Suggests a gradual spread or flow from a source.

that was sourced from

Highlights the procurement or obtaining of something from a specific origin.

that traces its origins to

A more verbose alternative emphasizing historical roots or lineage.

that has its roots in

Highlights the fundamental or foundational source of something.

that is attributable to

Focuses on assigning the origin or cause to a specific source.

FAQs

How do I use "which came from" in a sentence?

Use "which came from" to introduce a nonrestrictive clause providing additional information about something already mentioned. For example, "The idea, which came from a brainstorming session, was innovative."

What's the difference between "which came from" and "that came from"?

"Which came from" introduces a nonrestrictive clause, adding extra information. "That came from" introduces a restrictive clause, essential to the sentence's meaning. For example, "The data "that came from the survey" is reliable" (essential data) vs "The data, "which came from the survey", is reliable" (additional detail).

What can I say instead of "which came from"?

You can use alternatives like "that originated from", "that derived from", or "that stemmed from" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to use a comma before "which came from"?

Yes, when "which came from" introduces a nonrestrictive clause, it should be preceded by a comma. This indicates that the information is additional and not essential to the sentence's core meaning. If the clause is essential, you would typically use "that" instead.