a study which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a study which" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a specific study that you are referencing. For example, "This report draws on a study which looked at the impact of climate change on coral reefs in the Pacific."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She ordered a study, which confirmed her diagnosis.

The New York Times - Magazine

The Children's Society carried out a study which helped shape this part of the act.

The Guardian

Soon afterward, Harvard commissioned a study, which determined the bells' removal to be expensive but feasible.

The New Yorker

He has a study, which is always locked; Frank has never seen inside it.

The Guardian - Books

"I saw a study which said that, counter-intuitively, gentrification doesn't necessarily lead to displacement.

The New Yorker

Evidence of such successes abound: Christian Aid has done a study which demonstrates that such a future is possible.

The Guardian

This is a study which sets out to transcend the "narrow moment" of al-Qaeda.

The Economist

Mukherjee cites a study which found that women with breast cancer recalled eating a high-fat diet, whereas women without cancer did not.

The Guardian - Books

One of the active chemicals in cannabis inhibits psychotic symptoms in people with schizophrenia, according to a study which compared it with a leading anti-psychotic drug.

The Guardian

"I have carried out a study which showed that human growth hormone increased muscle mass in steroid users whose muscle growth had flattened out.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Then the mayor looked over a study which said that the program for shifting addicts from municipal jails to state treatment facilities had broken down.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a study which", ensure the 'which' clause provides essential information that clarifies which specific study you're referring to. This adds precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "that" instead of "which" when introducing nonrestrictive clauses. A nonrestrictive clause adds extra information but is not essential to the sentence's meaning. For example: The study, which was published this year, showed promising results.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a study which" functions as a relative clause introducer, connecting a main clause to a subordinate clause that provides additional information about a study. As Ludwig AI highlights, this structure is commonly used to add detail or context to a referenced piece of research.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a study which" is a versatile phrase used to introduce relative clauses that add detail to a study being referenced. As indicated by Ludwig AI, its grammatical correctness and common usage make it suitable for various writing contexts, particularly in academic, scientific, and journalistic writing. While alternatives exist, understanding the nuances of when and how to use "a study which" can enhance the precision and clarity of your writing, especially when detailing research findings. Remember to use 'which' for nonrestrictive clauses and consider the context when choosing between 'that' and 'which'.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a study demonstrating that

Highlights the conclusive or demonstrative aspect of the study.

a research project that

Emphasizes the project aspect rather than simply referring to it as a study.

an analysis that

Emphasizes analytical nature of the study.

an investigation that

Highlights the investigative nature of the study.

a report that

Focuses on the final report produced by the study.

a piece of research that

Focuses on the research output rather than the study itself.

a survey that

Specifically refers to studies conducted as surveys.

evidence suggesting that

This shifts the focus to the evidence provided, making it less about a specific study and more about broad support.

research indicating that

Shifts the focus to the research and its implications, rather than the study itself.

a trial that

More specifically refers to a test or experiment.

FAQs

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

Use "a study which" to introduce a relative clause that provides additional information about a specific study. For example, "The paper references "a study which" found a correlation between exercise and mental health".

Is it better to use "a study that" or "a study which"?

While both "that" and "which" can introduce relative clauses, "which" is generally preferred for nonrestrictive clauses (clauses that add extra information but are not essential to the sentence). "That" is often used for restrictive clauses (clauses that are essential for identifying what is being referred to). In many contexts, "a study that" can be used interchangeably.

What are some alternatives to using "a study which"?

Alternatives include "a study that", "research showing", or "findings indicating". The best choice depends on the specific context and the emphasis you want to convey.

How does "a study which" differ from "the study which"?

"A study which" refers to one unspecified study among many, while "the study which" refers to a specific study already identified or known to the reader. For example, "A study which examined this issue..." versus "The study which you mentioned earlier...".