a tribe of which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tribe of which" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific tribe and providing additional information about it. Example: "The Maasai, a tribe of which many are known for their distinctive customs, live in Kenya and Tanzania."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"It was his family, a tribe of which he was the chief.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Rumours that Machar, from the Nuer ethnic group, had been arrested appear to have sparked a confrontation with soldiers from the larger Dinka tribe, of which Kiir, is a member.

The Guardian

Recent cytogenetic studies have shown that a distinctive feature of the Brassiceae tribe, of which the Brassica species are members, is that they contain extensively triplicated genomes [ 7].

BMC Plant Biology

Recent cytogenetic studies have shown that a distinctive feature of the Brassiceae tribe, of which the Brassica species are members but A. thaliana is not, is that they contain extensively triplicated genomes [ 8].

BMC Genomics

The elite tribe of which Jack was once a temporary member is an endangered species.

The New York Times

Sheri Yellowhawk, chief executive of the Grand Canyon Resort Corporation, which is owned by the Hualapai tribe, of which she is a member, said: "It is not like we are building a ride.

The New York Times - Travel

People like Mika make the rest of her journalistic tribe, of which I am, for better or worse, a member, look more like propagandists than truth seekers.

Huffington Post

But leaders of the Janabi tribe, of which the girl, Abeer Qassim Hamza al-Janabi, was a member, were joined by other tribal leaders in condemning the sentence.

The New York Times

Male-biased expression in these paralogs suggests that their male-biased expression is conserved minimally in the Macrosiphini tribe, of which A. pisum and M. persicae are members.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

However, Smithers admits that he is glad that his father died as a real hero rather than being killed from a tribe of savage Amazon women, which Burns told him earlier.

Wikipedia

There is also a story about a marriage between a bear and a woman from which a tribe of the Skolt Sami (in Finland) is said to be descended.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a tribe of which" when you want to provide additional, non-restrictive information about a specific tribe, ensuring clarity and maintaining a formal tone.

Common error

Avoid replacing "of which" with "that" in formal writing. While "that" can often substitute "which", using "of which" maintains a higher level of formality and grammatical precision in complex sentences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tribe of which" functions as a relative clause introducer, providing additional information about the tribe in question. Ludwig AI indicates this usage is grammatically sound and found in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tribe of which" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce relative clauses that provide extra information about a tribe. According to Ludwig AI, it is more formal and appears most often in news, media, and scientific writing. While less common than simpler alternatives like "a tribe that", it offers a level of precision suitable for detailed descriptions. Remember to use it when you want to offer additional context without disrupting the main flow of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tribe that

Uses a simpler relative pronoun; less formal.

a tribe to which

Inverts the preposition; maintains formality.

a tribal group where

Alternative phrasing using 'tribal group'.

a tribe where

Suitable if referring to a place associated with the tribe.

a people of which

Replaces 'tribe' with 'people', maintains formality.

a tribe whose

Suitable when referring to possession or attributes of the tribe.

a clan from which

Replaces 'tribe' with 'clan'.

a tribe, and this

Breaks the sentence into two, less formal.

a tribe, of whom

More formal and archaic.

a tribe; its

Separates the idea into two independent clauses using a semicolon.

FAQs

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

Use "a tribe of which" to introduce a relative clause that provides additional information about a specific tribe. For example, "The Maasai, a tribe of which many are known for their distinctive customs, live in Kenya and Tanzania."

What's the difference between "a tribe of which" and "a tribe that"?

"A tribe of which" is more formal and often used in complex sentences to provide non-essential information. "A tribe that" is simpler and more common in everyday language. The choice depends on the desired level of formality and sentence structure.

Can I replace "a tribe of which" with "a tribe to which"?

Yes, you can often replace "a tribe of which" with "a tribe to which" without changing the meaning. The choice often comes down to stylistic preference, although "a tribe of which" might be perceived as slightly more elegant or formal.

What are some alternatives to "a tribe of which" that maintain a formal tone?

Alternatives that maintain a formal tone include phrases like "a tribe to which", "a people of which", or rephrasing the sentence to use a semicolon or separate clauses. For example, instead of "a tribe of which", you could say "a tribe; its members..."