but of which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but of which" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or incorrect in many contexts.
It can be used in formal or literary contexts when referring back to a previously mentioned subject or object, but it is often better to rephrase for clarity. Example: "The book contains several chapters, but of which only a few are relevant to my research."

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Her name was Bella, but of which family is unknown.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Al-Jazeera has a conspiracy theory that it cannot prove, but of which it is genuinely convinced.

The Guardian

The question is one not just of national government spending, but of which national government will be doing the spending.

The Guardian - Business

These are the failings that other people see but of which we ourselves may not be aware.

The Guardian

At 17 he joined the British Interplanetary Society, an organisation then widely regarded as crackpot, but of which he was later to be treasurer and, eventually, chairman.

The Guardian - Books

It is rooted in something that was true before September 11th, but of which the events of that day formed a terrible confirmation.

The Economist

For a young bride, wedlock seems like "some benevolent, secret society to which almost everyone belonged but of which hardly anyone ever spoke".

The New Yorker

Or possibly before, in the Ottoman past that lies all around but of which the book's characters can hardly ever speak.

The Guardian - Books

Heels are sensible, makeup is pale and the talk is not of handbags but of which Parisian doctor is willing to write Cipro prescriptions.

The New York Times - Magazine

Then there are other aspects that are less defined but of which one should be wary; for example, complexity of information displays, information load per page, and visual aspects, such as color and form.

User-Centered Design Stories Real-World UCD Case Files

We are being afflicted with a new disease of which some readers may not yet have heard the name, but of which they will hear a great deal in the years to come – namely, technological unemployment.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While grammatically correct, consider if a more direct construction might improve clarity. For example, instead of "a concept but of which the implications are vast", try "a concept, but its implications are vast".

Common error

Avoid using "but of which" in informal writing. It can sound stilted and unnatural in casual contexts. Opt for simpler phrasing like "but its..." or "but they..." instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but of which" functions as a conjunction introducing a relative clause that contrasts with or qualifies a preceding noun or idea. It connects two clauses, with "but" indicating the contrast and "of which" referring back to the previously mentioned subject. Ludwig's examples demonstrate this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but of which" is a conjunction used to introduce a contrasting or qualifying relative clause, typically in formal contexts. While grammatically acceptable, it can sometimes sound stilted in casual writing, as Ludwig AI points out. Alternatives like "yet of which" or rephrasing for clarity might be preferable in less formal situations. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, Science, and Academic sources. It's important to note that while technically correct, choosing clearer and more direct phrasing can enhance the overall impact and readability of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet of which

Emphasizes contrast more strongly than "but of which".

though of which

Offers a slightly more concessive tone.

however, of which

More explicitly signals a contrast or qualification.

instead of which

Indicates a substitution or replacement, rather than a simple contrast.

but concerning which

Replaces "of which" with a more direct prepositional phrase.

but regarding which

Similar to "but concerning which" but with a slightly different nuance.

of which however

Inverts the phrase for a slightly different emphasis.

but in respect of which

More formal and legalistic alternative.

but about which

More conversational but less precise.

but wherein

More concise and literary alternative.

FAQs

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

Use "but of which" to introduce a contrasting or qualifying statement about something previously mentioned. For example, "The project has several stages, but of which the initial phase is the most critical."

What can I say instead of "but of which"?

You can use alternatives like "yet of which", "though of which", or rephrase the sentence for better clarity.

Is it always necessary to use "but of which" in formal writing?

No, it's not always necessary. While grammatically correct, "but of which" can sometimes sound overly formal. Consider whether a simpler construction using "but its" or "but they" would be clearer and more effective.

Which is correct, "but of which" or "but which"?

"But which" is grammatically incorrect in most contexts where "but of which" is used. "But of which" is used to connect a contrasting idea to a previously mentioned noun, where "of which" indicates possession or belonging. If you're unsure, rephrasing the sentence is often the best approach.