I have this sentence:
Moreover, spelling’s error patterns and statistical trends can be derived (from /by/through/by means of) the software.
It means that the software outputs some statistical results in which some patterns can be discovered.
What is the best preposition for my meaning. Or even an equivalent sentence. "From" is the collocation word but I am afraid it is not applicable here.
Best Answer
It depends on what you're trying to say:
In this case Y is what forms the basis for X, so X is based on Y.
Here Y is what performs the action, but X is derived from something else. Y just makes the action of deriving happen.
In this case, Y would most likely be an action that starts the action of deriving. For example:
In your sentence, through would fit best as I suppose it is the software that does the deriving for the user.