a country whose

USAGE SUMMARY

"a country whose" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a country and its characteristics, like this: "Canada is a country whose population is largely bilingual."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Living in a country whose gov't.

The New Yorker

"Yet Somaliland is a country whose history is totally hidden.

The Guardian

Vietnam was a country whose democracy was being strangled in the cradle.

University of California, Berkeley

It marked another embarrassment for a country whose mantle of success is slipping.

The Economist

Are you an expat in a country whose customs are not your own?

The New York Times

Our special report in this issue describes a country whose revolutionary fire has been extinguished.

The Economist

To be from a country whose existence and survival I could take for granted.

The New York Times

But it is unsustainable for a country whose public debt is high and rising.

The Economist

Membership for a country whose land mass is overwhelmingly in Asia would indeed be anomalous.

The Economist

Then there's Turkey, a country whose relations with the EU stand at a historical low.

The Guardian - Opinion

Amaze your friends with a stylish selection from a country whose wine they haven't tried before.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a country whose", ensure the possessive pronoun 'whose' clearly refers back to the country. The phrase is most effective when the following clause describes a defining characteristic or feature of that country.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by ensuring the clause following "a country whose" directly and logically relates to the country. A misplaced modifier can create confusion about what is being described.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a country whose" functions as a determiner introducing a relative clause that modifies the noun "country". It indicates possession or a relationship between the country and the following description. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is both correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

19%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a country whose" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for characterizing a country by highlighting its attributes. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread applicability. To use it effectively, ensure the 'whose' clause clearly refers to the country and that the clause provides a key descriptor. While versatile, avoid ambiguity by placing modifiers carefully. Given its common usage in both News & Media and academic contexts, it represents a valuable tool for clear and descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a nation that

Uses a more general term 'nation' instead of 'country'.

a state where

Replaces 'country' with 'state' and uses 'where' to introduce the relative clause.

a land with

Employs 'land' for 'country' and 'with' to connect the country to its features.

a territory which

Substitutes 'country' with 'territory' and uses 'which' as the relative pronoun.

a realm whose

Uses 'realm', a more formal term for 'country', maintaining the relative pronoun 'whose'.

a region that

Replaces 'country' with 'region' and uses 'that' instead of 'whose'.

a place where

Substitutes 'country' with 'place' and uses 'where' to introduce the defining clause.

a society that

Replaces 'country' with 'society', focusing on the population and social structure.

a people whose

Shifts the focus to the people of the country using 'people' instead of 'country'.

a community where

Uses 'community' as a substitute, highlighting the collective aspect of the country.

FAQs

How can I use "a country whose" in a sentence?

Use "a country whose" to introduce a relative clause that describes a characteristic, attribute, or condition of a particular country. For example, "Italy is "a country whose" cuisine is famous worldwide".

What are some alternatives to "a country whose"?

Alternatives include "a nation that", "a state where", or "a land with depending on the context".

Is it grammatically correct to use "whose" after "country"?

Yes, using "whose" after "country" is grammatically correct. "Whose" is a possessive pronoun that can be used to show a relationship between a country and its attributes or characteristics.

What's the difference between "a country whose" and "a country that has"?

"A country whose" emphasizes a defining quality or inherent attribute, while "a country that has" simply indicates possession. For example, "a country whose economy is booming" suggests the economy is a key aspect, whereas "a country that has a large population" just states a fact.