a development which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a development which" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a clause that provides additional information about a specific development or event. Example: "The report highlighted a development which could significantly impact the local economy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their landlord, the British insurance company Standard Life Investments, has since drawn up a £90m deal with property developer Native Land for a development which would see 42 flats built above a shopping arcade.

The Guardian

The future of a development which has still not been built a decade after developers took control of a seafront site has raised concern in a Kent town.

BBC

A development which I highly regret.

The Guardian - Books

Putin is undoubtedly scared of such a development, which is why he can't solve the Kadyrov problem".

The Guardian

I pointed out that this meant the beginning of a development which threatened the legal system in an alarming manner.

Yale University

These days, you can even get a McAloo Tikki burger in Indian McDonald's, a development which, sadly, has not made it as far as Britain.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Indonesia is investigating claims that Australia paid people smugglers to turn their boat back to Indonesian waters in a development which, if proved, it would consider "very concerning".

The Guardian

In this perspective, a development which might seem to others an honourable advance towards the ultimate objective appeared as abject desertion of duty.

The Guardian

The Senate however voted to keep $10bn in associated spending, a development which blows another big hole in Tony Abbott's budget.

The Guardian

With the right director attached, it might even restore Jolie's reputation as an awards season presence, a development which could not fail to help her directing career.

The Guardian - Film

Mr Mclennan will know at 6pm tomorrow whether other nominations for the leadership have been submitted - a development which would be incredible.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a development which" to introduce a clause that elaborates on the nature, impact, or implications of a specific change or advancement.

Common error

Avoid using "a development which" in simple sentences where a direct subject-verb construction would be more concise and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a development which" functions as a noun phrase followed by a relative clause. It introduces further information about a particular advancement, change, or occurrence. Ludwig indicates its correct usage in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

18%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a development which" is a grammatically correct and frequently used construction for introducing further information or analysis about a specific event or change. Ludwig's analysis confirms its usability across various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific writing. While versatile, it is important to ensure its use enhances clarity and avoids unnecessary wordiness. Related phrases like "a circumstance that" or "an event that" can offer stylistic alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a circumstance that

Replaces 'development' with 'circumstance', focusing on the situation or condition.

an event that

Substitutes 'development' with 'event', highlighting the occurrence itself.

a situation that

Uses 'situation' instead of 'development', emphasizing the state of affairs.

a change that

Replaces 'development' with 'change', focusing on the alteration or modification.

an outcome that

Emphasizes the result or consequence of the development.

a consequence that

Highlights the effect or result of the development.

a result that

Focuses on the end product or outcome of the development.

a factor that

Indicates the development as a contributing element.

a phenomenon that

Replaces 'development' with 'phenomenon', suitable for significant or unusual occurrences.

a trend that

Uses 'trend' instead of 'development', highlighting the direction or pattern of change.

FAQs

How can I use "a development which" in a sentence?

Use "a development which" to introduce a clause that adds detail about a specific occurrence, for example, "The study revealed a development which could revolutionize cancer treatment".

What are some alternatives to "a development which"?

You can use alternatives like "a circumstance that", "a situation that", or "an event that" to vary your writing.

Is it always necessary to use "a development which"?

No, sometimes a simpler construction is more effective. Consider whether the added clause is essential for clarity or if it can be integrated more directly into the sentence.

What is the difference between "a development which" and "a development that"?

"A development which" and "a development that" are often interchangeable, but "which" is generally preferred when introducing nonrestrictive clauses that provide additional, non-essential information.