a documentary in which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a documentary in which" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a description or explanation of the content or focus of a documentary film. Example: "The documentary in which scientists explore climate change provides valuable insights into environmental issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Celebrity figures in "$ellebrity," a documentary by the star photographer Kevin Mazur, and in "Decoding Deepak," also a documentary, in which Gotham Chopra examines his famous father, Deepak.

The New York Times

In 2006, the independent National Commission on Violence Against Women sponsored a documentary in which high school students videotaped interviews with survivors.

The New York Times

His most recent film work includes 2015's A Space Program, a documentary in which he and his team send a pair of female astronauts to Mars.

The Guardian - Arts

"Third Watch," the NBC series about New York City police officers, firefighters and paramedics, offered a documentary in which real-life emergency workers recalled Sept. 11.

The New York Times - Arts

She marvels at Humphreys's approach (witnessed in a documentary) in which, with gradual and painstaking tact, she let people know their mothers had been found.

The Guardian - Film

The latter is a documentary in which he and the German rock musician Alexander Hacke explore the fusion of Eastern and Western music in Istanbul.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

A blogger, Justin Megahan, collected some of the Twitter messages in one blog post and titled it "Catfished," referring to "Catfish," a 2010 documentary in which a woman created a fake online persona to strike up a relationship.

The New York Times - Sports

It was there that I caught the tail-end of a TV documentary in which a woman complained of exactly my symptoms.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Ballet has a "perceived exclusive quality... conferring on its participants the gloss of something 'high class.'" She describes a mid-1990s documentary in which a fundraiser for London's Royal Opera House called elitism "one of [her] biggest selling points".

Huffington Post

Have you ever watched a nature documentary in which a skilled predator stalks its prey, slowly wearing it down until the poor antelope finally calls it quits and surrenders to the darkness?

Vice

"Privilege" begins as a film in a familiar genre, realized in a familiar way — an investigative documentary in which Rainer interviews middle-aged women about their experiences of menopause.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a documentary in which" to precisely describe the content or perspective that the documentary presents. This phrasing is particularly useful when detailing a specific angle or focus.

Common error

Avoid using "a documentary in which" for overly simplistic descriptions. If the subject can be clearly stated with "a documentary about", that option may be more concise and direct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a documentary in which" functions as a relative clause, providing additional information about the documentary by specifying its content, perspective, or approach. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a documentary in which" serves as a relative clause, effectively describing the core subject or perspective of a documentary film. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly within News & Media sources. While grammatically sound, writers should ensure it adds valuable detail and isn't used unnecessarily in place of more concise alternatives. Considering alternatives such as "a documentary focusing on" or "a documentary about" can improve clarity and conciseness. The phrase is suitable for a neutral register, making it appropriate for a variety of contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a documentary focusing on

Highlights the central subject of the documentary, using a participial phrase.

a documentary featuring

Emphasizes the elements or people showcased in the documentary.

a documentary that explores

Shifts focus to the exploratory nature of the documentary.

a documentary showcasing

Emphasizes the act of displaying particular elements or aspects within the documentary.

a film that documents

Focuses on the act of documenting, changing the structure from a relative clause to a more direct statement.

a documentary examining

Highlights the critical analysis and scrutiny present in the documentary.

a documentary presenting

Focuses on how the information is conveyed in the documentary.

a documentary detailing

Highlights the level of detail provided by the documentary.

a documentary about

Provides a more general reference to the documentary's subject matter.

a documentary with

Simple change in wording; focuses on the presence of specific content.

FAQs

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

Use "a documentary in which" to introduce what the documentary covers, such as, "I watched "a documentary in which" scientists explore climate change."

What are some alternatives to "a documentary in which"?

You can use alternatives like "a documentary focusing on", "a documentary featuring", or "a documentary about" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a documentary in which" or "a documentary that"?

While both are grammatically correct, "a documentary in which" often implies a more detailed or specific examination, whereas "a documentary that" can be more general. The choice depends on the context and the level of detail you want to convey.

What's the difference between "a documentary in which" and "a documentary with"?

"A documentary in which" specifies the subject or perspective explored, while "a documentary with" indicates the presence of certain elements. For example, ""a documentary in which" recovering heroin addict and film director, Garry Fraser, takes us to the heart of the poor marginalised community he grew up in." versus "a documentary with never-before-seen footage".