traced back to vs trace back to

Both "traced back to" and "trace back to" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Traced back to" is the past tense form and is used when referring to something that has already been investigated or researched. "Trace back to" is the present tense form and is used when talking about ongoing research or investigation.

Last updated: March 29, 2024 • 2863 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"traced back to"

This phrase is the past tense form and is used when referring to something that has already been investigated or researched.

Examples:

The origins of the tradition can be traced back to ancient times.
The problem was traced back to a faulty wiring system.
The disease was traced back to contaminated water sources.

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None of it can be traced back to this agency.
And it can't be traced back to the Agency.
Customs related to fireworks and firecrackers can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907).
Cultural history of Poland can be traced back to the Middle Ages.
The history of West Kalimantan can be traced back to 17th century.
Sergeant, nothing that happened today can be traced back to Walter.
You wanted the murder to be traced back to me.
They can't be traced back to him.
Humanity in Lefkada can be traced back to the Paleolithic era.
The query letter was traced back to a former Secret Service agent who was released from duty last month.
Its formation can be traced back to the late Neolithic Age.
That priority homicide traced back to our number.
And it can't be traced back to me.
You said it traced back to a kid.
Men who could never be traced back to you.
The serial number on the titanium knee traced back to him at this address.
If that sort of thing ever got traced back to me...
A bunch of the items traced back to recent burglaries in Ella's neighborhood.
The blockage can usually be traced back to some childhood imprint.

Alternatives:

attributed to
linked to
connected to
found to be from
originated from

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"trace back to"

This phrase is the present tense form and is used when talking about ongoing research or investigation.

Examples:

Researchers are trying to trace back the history of the ancient civilization.
The team is currently tracing back the source of the contamination.
The detective is tracing back the suspect's movements.

Show examples from the web [+]

Can you trace back to when they started so you can deal with any underlying issue too? The Sun (2012). The researchers used genetic material from 34 species of ...
Many English words trace back to Greek or Latin. See also: back, trace. The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin ...
Turn back the clock: NASCAR's earliest days trace back to Martinsville. By. Zack Albert NASCAR.com April 6, 2022 at 10:26 AM. Clay Campbell knows exactly ...
Dec 2, 2021 ... Genetics show humans likely trace back to Africa. But many of our ancestors picked up new DNA on their travels across time and continents.
Almost all living people outside of Africa trace back to a single migration more than 50,000 years ago · Genetic data confirm that ancient Aborigines and ...
Apr 4, 2022 ... Early symptoms of MS can vary widely, but will typically trace back to neurological impairment. Norton Healthcare / News / Services / ...
two experiences trace back to his youth · Difference : Trace Back Vs. Trace Down - English Only forum to trace back to something - English Only forum
Oct 4, 2011 ... Molecular analyses of MADS-box genes trace back to Gymnosperms the invention of fleshy fruits. Mol Biol Evol. 2012 Jan;29(1):409-19. doi: ...

Alternatives:

investigate the origins of
look into the history of
explore the roots of
research the background of
find the source of

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traced back to vs trace back to

"traced back to"

"trace back to"

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