a patient which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a patient which" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form would be "a patient who" when referring to a person. Example: "The doctor examined a patient who had been experiencing severe headaches."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Astrov's anguish at the death of a patient, which interrupts his drunken effusions, is among the production's most affecting moments, as he buries his face in his hands.

The New York Times

Lee says his team has now been granted approval to test the system in a patient, which they aim to do in the next few months.

MIT Technology Review

The time step k represents spread from one site to the next in a patient, which can be calibrated with data.

Nature

Sometimes that requires him to take longer than the scheduled time with a patient, which can cause him to run behind for his other appointments that day.

Stanford University

If doctors learn how to use it, they will understand better what the tests can actually tell them about a patient, which will help them and their patients make better decisions about treatment.

Cornell University

In wireless medical sensor network (WMSN), bio-sensors are implanted within the patient body to sense the sensitive information of a patient which later on can be transmitted to the remote medical centers for further processing.

Future Generation Computer Systems

Human gene therapy (HGT) is defined as the transfer of nucleic acids (DNA) to somatic cells of a patient which results in a therapeutic effect, by either correcting genetic defects or by overexpressing proteins that are therapeutically useful.

Molecular Aspects of Medicine

Moreover, the novel design enables tomography images by simultaneously obtaining eight projections with eight-detector modules located along the 180° orbit surrounding a patient, which allows designing of a stationary cardiac SPECT.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

It is not a patient's crudely sensual desires which constitute the temptation.

The New Yorker

Her husband, Alex, 38, a management accountant, is a dialysis patient, which means the couple are very interested in health issues and the NHS.

The Guardian

Chester (perhaps heavily sedated) seemed barely able to recognize Glass and walked in a slow shuffle; the only sign of emotion he showed was when he mentioned throwing a bowl of porridge at a fellow patient, which made him titter.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "who" instead of "which" when referring to a patient. Remember that "who" is for people, while "which" is for things.

Common error

Avoid using "which" to refer to people. Using "which" can sound impersonal and grammatically incorrect in medical or general writing; use "who" to maintain accuracy and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a patient which" functions as a relative clause aiming to provide additional information about a patient. However, it incorrectly uses the relative pronoun "which" instead of "who". According to Ludwig AI, this usage is not correct in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

56%

News & Media

26%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a patient which" is frequently used across various sources, including scientific, news, and academic contexts. However, according to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "a patient who", as "who" should be used to refer to people. Despite its prevalence, using "which" in this context is considered an error in standard written English. When writing, always remember to use "who" when referring to a person to ensure grammatical accuracy and clarity. Consider using alternative phrases such as "an individual with" or "a person that" to maintain accuracy while varying your phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a patient who

Replaces "which" with the correct relative pronoun "who" for referring to a person.

an individual with

Substitutes "patient" with "individual" and uses "with" to connect to a condition or characteristic.

a person that

Replaces "which" with "that", offering a grammatically acceptable alternative to "who".

a subject undergoing

Uses "subject" instead of "patient", suitable in research contexts, and specifies an ongoing process.

a case involving

Emphasizes the patient as a "case" within a medical context, connected to a specific situation.

a participant in

Frames the patient as actively involved in a study or treatment program.

an affected person

Highlights the impact of a condition on the person, emphasizing their state.

a client receiving

Presents the patient as a "client" receiving care or services, altering the relationship dynamic.

a consumer of healthcare

Positions the patient as someone who utilizes healthcare services, focusing on their role as a consumer.

a member seeking

Identifies the patient as part of a group seeking medical assistance, changing the context.

FAQs

When should I use "who" instead of "which" when referring to patients?

Always use "who" when referring to people, including patients. "Which" is reserved for objects, animals, or concepts. Therefore, it's correct to say "a patient "who"" instead of "a patient which".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "a patient which"?

Instead of "a patient which", use alternatives such as "a patient "who"", "an individual "with"", or "a person "that"", depending on the specific context.

Is "a patient which" grammatically correct?

No, "a patient which" is not grammatically correct. The correct relative pronoun to use when referring to a person is "who", making "a patient "who"" the appropriate choice.

What's the difference between "a patient who" and "a patient which"?

"A patient "who"" is grammatically correct because "who" is used to refer to people. "A patient which" is incorrect because "which" is used for inanimate objects or animals, not humans.