a murder in which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a murder in which" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a specific incident or scenario involving a murder, often leading into further details about the circumstances or individuals involved. Example: "The detective was assigned to investigate a murder in which the victim had been seen arguing with a suspect just hours before the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"Murderers can at least be questioned," he writes, "but a suicide is a murder in which the killer is also the victim: in which the reason, the motive, dies with the act".

Independent

But was there ever a murder in which the prospect of hanging so singularly failed to act as a deterrent?

The Guardian

He asked that the other eight constables be absolved of a murder in which they had no part.

The Guardian

With her, he agreed that this was "a really super 'whodunit'"—a murder in which "the witnesses have seen the corpse, but cannot produce it".

The Economist

R. Guadalupe -- a murder in which Mr. Quick was a prime suspect -- we actually get to listen in on the deliberate debasement of the criminal justice system.

The New York Times

In between, he mesmerizes us with the story of why Nasar must die – a murder in which the whole town is implicated.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The firm's Canadian operation suffered a drop in passengers over security fears last year arising from a gruesome murder in which a passenger was beheaded and cannibalised by a schizophrenic man on a Greyhound bus near Winnipeg.

The Guardian - Business

She arrives at work and Mulder tells her about a murder in Texas, which he believes to be the work of vampires.

Wikipedia

The directive was announced last August amid outrage after a triple murder in which one of the suspects was an illegal immigrant who had been released on bail after previous arrests.

The New York Times

Mr. McKnight, 25, has also been charged with a second murder, in which the death penalty has not been sought.

The New York Times

But, he added, in the case of a mass murder in which almost 3,000 people died, the question "gets caught in the traffic of a very busy moral crossroads".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a murder in which" to introduce specific details or circumstances surrounding a murder, providing context or linking it to other events or people. For clarity, ensure the clause following "in which" directly relates to and modifies 'murder'.

Common error

Avoid using "a murder in which" if the following clause does not clearly and directly relate to the murder itself. Ensure the 'which' refers unambiguously to the 'murder' and not some other element in the sentence. For example, don't say: "A murder in which the weather was bad," unless the weather is somehow directly relevant to the murder.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a murder in which" functions as a relative clause introducer. It sets the stage for providing additional information or specific details about a particular instance of murder. This usage is supported by Ludwig, which provides several examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

8%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a murder in which" is a common and grammatically correct way to introduce details or context surrounding a specific murder. As evidenced by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news and media, as well as in encyclopedic and academic contexts. While semantically similar alternatives like "a homicide where" or "a killing in that" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance and formality desired. When using "a murder in which", ensure the following clause directly relates to the murder to maintain clarity and relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A homicide where

Replaces "in which" with "where", changing the relative pronoun used to introduce the clause.

A killing in that

Substitutes "murder" with "killing" and "in which" with "in that", providing a slightly more formal tone.

A slaying wherein

Uses "slaying" instead of "murder" and "wherein" as a more archaic substitute for "in which".

A case of murder involving

Restructures the sentence to use "involving" instead of a relative clause, making it slightly less formal.

The murder, characterized by

Turns the phrase into a description, highlighting specific characteristics of the murder.

Concerning a murder that

Introduces the murder as the topic of concern or discussion.

Regarding a murder where

Similar to "concerning", but with a slightly different nuance in introducing the topic.

A murder during which

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of events surrounding the murder.

A murder as a result of which

Highlights the cause-and-effect relationship related to the murder.

A murder due to which

Focuses on the direct cause leading to the murder.

FAQs

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

Use "a murder in which" to introduce a clause that provides more information or context about a specific murder. For example, "The trial focused on "a murder in which" the victim was a prominent politician".

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

You can use alternatives such as "a homicide where", "a killing in that", or "a slaying wherein" depending on the context and desired formality.

Is it correct to say "the murder that" instead of "a murder in which"?

While "the murder that" is grammatically correct, ""a murder in which"" is often used to provide more detailed context or introduce a relative clause describing the circumstances of the murder. "The murder that" is more general.

What's the difference between "a murder in which" and "a murder case where"?

"A murder in which" emphasizes the circumstances or details directly related to the act of murder. "A murder case where" focuses on the legal or investigative aspects related to the murder. The choice depends on the specific focus of your statement.