a part of which

USAGE SUMMARY

"a part of which" is a grammatically correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It is typically used as a relative clause to add further information about a specific part of something mentioned in the main clause. Example: The book, a part of which was written in Paris, became an instant bestseller.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ellis comments how in Less Than Zero, Clay's passivity worked to protect him from the "bleak moral landscape he was a part of", which he views as Clay's major flaw.

Wikipedia

Later on we captured all the records of the French General Staff, a part of which have already been presented by Admiral Raeder's counsel.

Yale University

The Commission of the European Communities initiated in 1991 the Oklo Natural Analogue Programme, a part of which is devoted to present-day migration studies.

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

His plays were about a normative world that he himself was a part of, which he critiqued from the inside, as it were.

The New Yorker

In a private placement memorandum, a part of which was provided to a reporter, Nasdaq disclosed the talks but gave no details.

The New York Times

At the heart of the Old City is the magnificent Umayyad Mosque, a part of which was built originally as a Byzantine church.

The New Yorker

Overall, the model highlights that the herbicide resistance dynamics is under strong interactions between the different factors, only a part of which being under human control.

Crop Protection

We identified mutations of amino acid residues that decrease GTPase activity by orders of magnitude a part of which are conserved in GTP-binding proteins.

Journal of Molecular Biology

The company is in charge of the cleanup in the city of Tamura, a part of which lies within the 12-mile exclusion zone.

The New York Times

This collection must have comprised about 2000 pieces (ca. 1000 being reproductions of gemstones), only a part of which has survived, often in very bad condition and distributed all over campus.

Cornell University

About 80 miles northeast of Rome, the ruins (a part of which is at right), which date back 2,000 years, were at the center of the ancient village Falacrine, Vespasian's hometown.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a part of which" to add detail about a specific aspect or component of a larger subject already introduced. Ensure the added information is relevant and clarifies the initial subject.

Common error

Avoid using "a part of which" in simple sentences where a more direct construction would be clearer. For example, instead of "The house, a part of which was damaged, is being repaired," consider "Part of the house was damaged and is being repaired."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a part of which" functions as a relative clause, introducing additional information about a specific portion of something previously mentioned. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage aligns with standard grammatical practices and appears across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

33%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a part of which" functions as a relative clause introducing more information about a portion of something. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and used in a variety of sources. The analysis reveals the phrase to be most commonly employed in scientific and news-related contexts. While acceptable across various registers, it leans towards formality. For clarity, consider rephrasing in simpler terms when informality is desired. Remember, the objective is clear and concise communication and it's important not to overuse this phrase in simple sentences when direct language will improve clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a portion of which

Synonymous alternative, maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

some of which

Less formal alternative, suitable for more casual contexts.

a fraction of which

Emphasizes a smaller, less significant part.

a segment of which

Implies a distinct and identifiable piece.

a piece of which

More informal alternative, suggesting a fragment or component.

partly from which

Rephrases to focus on the origin of the part.

elements of which

Focuses on individual components or aspects.

aspects of which

Highlights particular features or characteristics.

components of which

Stresses that the part is an integral piece.

certain elements of which

Highlights specific components with an increased focus.

FAQs

How can I use "a part of which" in a sentence?

Use "a part of which" as a relative clause to provide more information about a specific portion of something you've already mentioned. For example, "The project, "a part of which" focuses on sustainability, is gaining momentum."

What's the difference between "a part of which" and "some of which"?

"A part of which" is generally more formal and can refer to a specific component, while "some of which" is less formal and refers to an unspecified quantity. Context dictates the best choice.

What can I say instead of "a part of which" to sound less formal?

Consider using alternatives such as "some of which", "and part of it", or simply restructuring the sentence for clarity.

Is "a part of which" always necessary, or can I rephrase the sentence?

While grammatically correct, "a part of which" can sometimes make sentences sound convoluted. Often, rephrasing to be more direct (e.g., "Part of the book was..." instead of "The book, "a part of which" was...") improves clarity.