an idea which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an idea which" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when introducing a specific concept or thought that is being elaborated upon or explained further. Example: "She presented an idea which could revolutionize the way we approach renewable energy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That is an idea which could spread.

The Economist

"Italy has launched an idea which is worth looking at," Mr. Hollande said.

The New York Times

"We're pushing the engagement of an idea which leads you then to the product," he said.

The New York Times

Mr Hatoyama calls it "an idea which I want to constrain".

The Economist

And the seed of an idea, which turned out to be Skinny Sketcher, was planted.

The Guardian

"This was an idea which has grown and caught on straight away.

The Guardian

I came up with an idea, which I showed him, but it wasn't very good.

The Guardian - Film

Benjamin Franklin was one of the first to propose such an idea, which led to the development of the dirigible.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is an idea which hasn't been disproved yet, a song the words of which have not gone bad.

The New Yorker

It offers a vision of changing the world, he says, through buying stuff, an "idea which has stuck around".

The Guardian - Books

Washington Wentworth Sheffield, dentist, was the first to use them for toothpaste, an idea which Colgate further developed.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an idea which", ensure that the "which" clause provides essential information that defines or limits the scope of the idea, not just extra details. Consider if 'that' might be more appropriate if the information is crucial to the sentence's meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "which" when 'that' is more appropriate. 'That' introduces a restrictive clause essential to the sentence's meaning, while 'which' introduces a non-restrictive clause that adds extra, non-essential information. If removing the clause changes the sentence's core meaning, use 'that'.

Linguistic Context

"An idea which" functions as a noun phrase followed by a relative clause. It introduces a concept or proposition that is then further defined or described by the 'which' clause. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

22%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an idea which" serves as a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase to introduce a concept alongside a relative clause that offers elaboration. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science sources, this expression exhibits a neutral register and is suitable for various contexts. When employing "an idea which", ensure the 'which' clause provides essential information, distinguishing it from non-restrictive clauses where 'that' may be more appropriate. Alternatives like "a concept that" or "a notion that" can be considered based on the specific nuance desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a concept that

Replaces "idea" with a more formal term, slightly shifting the tone.

a notion that

Substitutes "idea" with "notion", implying a less concrete or more speculative concept.

a thought that

Replaces "idea" with "thought", focusing on the mental process.

a proposal that

Replaces idea with a more formal synonym

a suggestion that

Changes the idea into a suggestion

a plan that

Changes the idea into a plan

a belief that

Shifts the focus to a conviction or held opinion.

a scheme that

Changes the idea into a scheme

a theory that

Changes the idea into a theory

a hypothesis that

Makes "idea" more scientific

FAQs

How can I use "an idea which" in a sentence?

Use "an idea which" to introduce a concept followed by a relative clause that provides more information about that concept. For example: "This proposal presents "an idea which" could revolutionize the industry."

What are some alternatives to "an idea which"?

You can use alternatives like "a concept that", "a notion that", or "a plan that" depending on the context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to use "which" after "an idea"?

No, it's not always necessary. The choice between "which" and "that" depends on whether the information is essential to understanding the idea. If the clause is non-restrictive (adds extra information), use "which"; otherwise, consider using "that" or rewriting the sentence.

What's the difference between using "an idea which" and "an idea that"?

The key difference lies in whether the following clause is restrictive or non-restrictive. "That" introduces a restrictive clause (essential to the sentence's meaning), while "which" introduces a non-restrictive clause (adds extra information). For instance, "an idea that works" specifies a particular type of idea, whereas "an idea, which is innovative, is being tested" provides extra detail.