Where applicable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Where applicable" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something should be done or considered only in relevant situations or contexts. Example: "Please fill out the form completely, including your previous addresses where applicable."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Where applicable, I dug up clumps with a scoop.

The New York Times

Where applicable, direct acquisition through fieldwork is much preferred.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Where applicable, data are expressed as mean ± SEM.

Plosone

Where applicable, a Mann-Whitney U test was performed.

Plosone

Where applicable, data are presented as the mean ± SD.

Plosone

Where applicable, IQRs are also provided.

European Journal of Pediatrics

Where applicable, REMARK reporting criteria have been used [ 32].

Breast Cancer Research and Treatment

Where applicable, data are presented as mean ± standard deviation.

BMC Biotechnology

Where applicable, values expressed as mean ± standard error.

Critical Care

Where applicable, values are expressed as mean ± SD.

Critical Care

Where applicable, values are expressed as ± standard deviation.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "where applicable", ensure the context clearly indicates when the condition applies to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "where applicable" in situations where its relevance is already obvious. This can make your writing seem redundant and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "where applicable" functions as an adverbial phrase or a relative clause, modifying a verb or clause to indicate conditional application. Ludwig confirms this usage, showing examples where it clarifies that something only applies under certain conditions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

7%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "where applicable" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that a condition or instruction only applies in certain situations. As confirmed by Ludwig, its function is to limit scope and ensure relevance. While grammatically correct and widely used across various domains, it's important to avoid redundancy by using it only when its relevance isn't already implied. Alternatives like "if relevant" or "as appropriate" can be used depending on the specific context. Its frequency is common, particularly in science, news and media, and wiki sources, and its register tends to be neutral to formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

where relevant

Direct synonym, using "relevant" instead of "applicable".

if relevant

Focuses on the relevance of something in a given situation.

if appropriate

Highlights the appropriateness of something in a particular context.

as appropriate

Similar to "if appropriate", but with a slightly more active implication.

when relevant

Emphasizes the timing or condition of relevance.

when necessary

Indicates that something should only be done if it's essential.

if required

Highlights the necessity of something under specific conditions.

as needed

Similar to "when necessary", but with a slightly more flexible tone.

in relevant cases

Highlights specific instances where something is pertinent.

subject to applicability

Indicates that something is contingent on whether it can be applied.

FAQs

How do I use "where applicable" in a sentence?

Use "where applicable" to indicate that a certain instruction or condition only applies in specific situations. For example, "Please provide supporting documentation, where applicable" means you only need to provide documentation if it is relevant to your situation.

What's a good alternative to "where applicable"?

Alternatives include "if relevant", "as appropriate", or "when necessary", depending on the specific context.

Is it ever wrong to use "where applicable"?

While grammatically correct, using "where applicable" can be redundant if the relevance of something is already implied. In such cases, it's best to omit the phrase for clearer writing.

What is the difference between "where applicable" and "where relevant"?

"Where applicable" and "where relevant" are largely interchangeable. "Applicable" emphasizes the suitability of something, while "relevant" emphasizes its pertinence. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.