Learn English – “Within the range of values from the literature” vs. “within the range of values in the literature”

prepositionsword-choice

Which is better English (if either)?

  • The results are within the range of values from the literature.
  • The results are within the range of values in the literature.

Best Answer

Per mine and Edwin's comments above, Google Books confirms an overwhelming preference for

...the range of values found in the literature.

As a native speaker, I expected that before checking usage figures, but explaining why isn't so easy. Partly it's just a matter of established idiomatic usage, but I do think "found" is more consistent with the [research/testing] context, in that it shows the writer has made an effort to locate and quantify the relevant values.