an experience of which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an experience of which" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific experience and indicating a relationship to something previously mentioned. Example: "The workshop provided an experience of which I will always cherish the memories."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

His parents split up when he was 13 and had just started Eton, an experience of which he said: "I like to think it made me more compassionate in my understanding of human frailty".

The Guardian - Music

In 1994, she won the Sixth Concours International de Danse de Paris, and was off to Glasgow and Scottish Ballet, an experience of which she later said: "I spoke no English when I first got to Scotland but it didn't matter because the Scots didn't either".

The Guardian

Or Lockwood (1989, p. 88): co-consciousness is "the relation in which two experiences stand, when there is an experience of which they are both parts".

SEP

As an act of penance, Taj provided Stephen with an experience of which he said, "I've never brought such pleasure to a woman before".

Huffington Post

Gray does not want to round his poem off neatly, because death is an experience of which we cannot be certain, but also because the logic of his syntax demands continuity rather than completion".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Loneliness is also a condition of human life, an experience of humanizing which enables the person to sustain, extend, and deepen his/her humanity [ 3].

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

Some mothers who belong to reticent churches, even though they are reticent, have nevertheless had an experience of vaccination, which they recounted.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

We will enter a collective dreamspace, an experience out of which the students will be expected to render works of literature.

The New Yorker

We just did 28 Days Later as a 5.5 hour experience, of which the film was only 1.5 hours.

The Guardian - Film

Your mind, too, right now, is a poem the experience of which you are both beginning to write and read at the same time as I am finishing another one of my attempts to translate the untranslatable.

Huffington Post

The decision to open oneself to love enables an experience of grace over which one has no power and which one cannot decide.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an experience of which" in formal writing to precisely link an experience to a preceding noun or concept, ensuring clarity and avoiding ambiguity. For instance, when detailing research methodology, specify "a phase of experimentation, an experience of which yielded significant data."

Common error

Avoid using "an experience of which" in informal contexts; simpler alternatives like "an experience that" are often more appropriate and natural. Overusing formal constructions can make your writing sound stilted or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an experience of which" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a relative clause. It connects an experience to something previously mentioned, specifying a relationship or characteristic. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in academic and journalistic contexts to provide additional information or perspective on the experience.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an experience of which" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to connect an experience to a previously mentioned noun, indicating a relationship or characteristic. As noted by Ludwig, this phrase is more common in formal writing contexts found in news media and scientific publications, although it is relatively rare overall. For simpler, less formal contexts, alternatives such as "an experience that" or "an experience in which" may be more appropriate. When aiming for precision and clarity in academic or professional writing, "an experience of which" can be a useful tool.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an experience that

Replaces the prepositional phrase with a simpler relative pronoun, making the sentence more direct.

an experience in which

Uses "in which" instead of "of which", offering a slightly less formal alternative while maintaining precision.

an experience wherein

Substitutes "of which" with "wherein", providing a more formal and literary tone.

an instance of which

Replaces "experience" with "instance", emphasizing a particular occurrence or event.

a situation where

Replaces "experience" with "situation", shifting the focus to the broader context surrounding the event.

an event that

Uses "event" instead of "experience", focusing on the occurrence itself rather than the subjective feeling.

a case where

Similar to "a situation where", but suggests a specific instance or example.

an occasion when

Similar to "a moment when", but suggests a more formal or significant event.

a moment when

Replaces "experience" with "moment", highlighting a specific point in time.

something one undergoes

This is a more verbose substitute that refocuses on the undergoing of an experience.

FAQs

How can I use "an experience of which" in a sentence?

Use "an experience of which" to connect a specific experience to a previously mentioned noun, indicating a relationship or consequence. For example: "The retreat offered a moment of reflection, an experience of which transformed her perspective."

What are some alternatives to "an experience of which"?

You can use alternatives like "an experience that", "an experience in which", or "a situation where" depending on the context and desired level of formality. For example, you could say "The workshop was "an experience that" I will always cherish" instead of "The workshop was an experience of which I will always cherish".

Is it correct to use "an experience of which" in both formal and informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "an experience of which" is generally more suited for formal writing. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "an experience that" or "an experience in which" may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "an experience of which" and "an experience that"?

"An experience of which" is a more formal way of saying "an experience that". The latter is generally more common and acceptable in a wider range of contexts, while the former is typically reserved for more formal or academic writing.