Below you will find one of the uses of the phrasal verb 'stem from' which you are likely to find used in the Cambridge Advanced exam.

In addition to the meaning/definition, you will also find two examples of it being used with this meaning (to help you better understand its use and the context it is used in).

In order to remember this use, make sure to make an example in your own words with the phrasal verb.

Use

To say what the original or most important cause of why something happened or is happening is.

My fear of dogs STEMS FROM being bitten by one when I was a child. Since then, I've always been scared of them.

"Do you know why she doesn't like Peter?"
"I think it STEMS FROM when he insulted her sister at a party a year ago. She hasn't forgotten that.

Click here to watch a YouTube video on this meaning of the phrasal verb


Return to the list of 50 commonly phrasal verbs in the CAE exam.