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Prepositions after verbs

Originate from vs originate in

Originate from usually refers to source or origin, while originate in commonly refers to the place, time, or situation where something began.

Quick answer

Which preposition goes with originate?

Use originate from for the source of something and originate in for the place, field, or context where something began. Both are standard, but they express different relationships.

The tradition originated from ancient harvest rituals.
The idea originated in France.
Several rumours originated from a single post online.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
originate from + source

Showing the source or cause

Use originate from when naming the source, cause, or starting point of something.

The complaint originated from local residents.
Most of the noise originated from the engine room.
2
originate in + place

Showing where something began

Use originate in for the country, city, region, or area where something started.

Jazz originated in New Orleans.
The custom originated in rural communities.
3
originate in + field or context

Showing the context of development

Originate in can also refer to a subject area, institution, or situation.

The policy originated in academic research.
The movement originated in student protests.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
originate from
The conflict originated from a misunderstanding.
Shows the source or cause.
originate in
The recipe originated in northern Italy.
Shows the place or context where something began.
originate at
The signal originated at the control centre.
Possible when referring to a physical starting point of a signal or action, not a general origin.
originate with
The proposal originated with the finance team.
Names the person or group that first created something.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using from for a location of origin

Use in when referring to the place where something began.

✕ The style originated from Japan. ✓ The style originated in Japan.

Using in for a source or cause

Use from for the source of information, influence, or material.

✕ The confusion originated in a translation error. ✓ The confusion originated from a translation error.

Confusing originate with come from

Originate is more formal and often used for beginnings or development.

✓ Many traditions originate from older religious practices.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The practice ___ ancient farming communities.
2. The leak ___ a damaged pipe.
3. The proposal ___ the research department.

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Frequently asked questions

Can originate from refer to people?

Yes. You can say an idea or complaint originated from a person or group.

Can originate in refer to time periods?

Yes. For example: The tradition originated in the Middle Ages.

Is originate from more common than originate in?

They are both common, but they are used for different meanings: source versus place or context.

oblige-to-by-with-in, for obscure by, for, from, in or to? observe in, by, on, with or for? "obsess about" or "obsess over"? "obtain from" or "obtain by"? occupy by, with, in, for or at? occur in, to, at, on or during? offend by, at, in, against or with? "offer by" or "offer to"? offset by, from, with, for or against? "omit from" or "omit by"? "open in" or "open to"?

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