but which bears

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but which bears" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a clause that provides additional information about a subject, often in a formal or literary context. Example: "The painting is a masterpiece, but which bears the signature of a renowned artist."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It's only because she is selfless that she can defeat evil: a story that many have heard before, but which bears repeating, albeit in hope rather than expectation.

The Guardian - Books

So inventive, in fact, that in creating Borat he has also created an imaginary country - a violent, primitive and oppressive place which he calls "Kazakhstan", but which bears no resemblance to the real Kazakhstan.

The Guardian - Opinion

Last fall, Gerson, now a Washington Post columnist, published a book called "Heroic Conservatism," which reads like a defense of a Bush legacy that Gerson wanted to create while he worked in the White House but which bears no resemblance to Bush's actual Presidency.

The New Yorker

"It was a cruel system, but if you think about it, how else would you get this gold out of the land?" he asks, surveying the ruins of Elgen, a labour camp for women, where the barracks and barbed wire are still visible, but which bears no monument or plaque detailing its past.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It was a sentence with which I was familiar but which bore repetition.

The Guardian - Books

They fed us some sort of buffalo stew (I think) and shared glasses of homebrew moonshine which was apparently made of honey and river water, but which bore far more resemblance to murky rocket fuel.

Independent

A consequence particularly for engineering applications is that simplified kinetic expressions ("intrinsic kinetics") are used which describe the operation of the catalyst very adequately over restricted ranges of the partial pressures of the reactants and products and also of temperature but which bear little formal relationship to the mechanism of the reaction in question.

Heterogeneous Catalysis Fundamentals and Applications

To determine if ICP4 binding to the ICP0 promoter contributed to de novo repression of ICP0GFP mRNA synthesis, the recombinant viruses HSV-1 0−4BS− and 0+4BS− were constructed which were equivalent to HSV-1 0−GFP and 0+GFP, respectively, but which bore a 4-bp deletion in the ICP4-binding site in the ICP0 promoter (Fig. 7A).

Plosone

Modern life is increasingly placing us in static, artificial, micro-niches optimized for our convenience, but which bear little resemblance to the dynamic inputs provided by the environments that nurtured our evolution.

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

But the firm which bears her name – still controlled by Kaupthing administrators – has warned of a trademark infringement if she returns to business, as planned, under the brand name Karen or KM.

The Guardian - Business

Singling out the Scottish editions of the Daily Mail and Daily Telegraph, he said some of the titles' journalists produced "not just rightwing nonsense" but "mad rightwing nonsense" which "bears as much resemblance to reality as a Daily Express weather report".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but which bears" to introduce a contrasting element while simultaneously specifying a characteristic or attribute of the subject. This adds a layer of complexity and nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "but which bears" excessively in informal writing. Simpler conjunctions like "but" or "yet" often provide a clearer and more direct connection between ideas in casual contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but which bears" functions as a conjunctive relative clause, connecting two contrasting elements while simultaneously introducing a characteristic or attribute of the subject. This is evident in Ludwig's examples where it elaborates on a preceding noun with an added, often unexpected, detail.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but which bears" serves as a conjunctive relative clause, connecting contrasting ideas while highlighting a specific attribute. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is appropriate for written English. While not exceedingly common, it finds usage in news, media, and scientific contexts. As Ludwig's examples demonstrate, "but which bears" is most effective in formal writing when you wish to add a nuanced qualification or unexpected detail.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet which carries

Replaces "but" with "yet", maintaining the contrast but sounding slightly more formal. "Carries" emphasizes possession or transmission.

however, which includes

"However" offers a stronger contrast than "but". "Includes" focuses on containment rather than bearing.

though it holds

"Though" provides a softer contrast. "Holds" suggests a more passive or temporary association.

although it exhibits

"Although" offers a softer contrast. "Exhibits" focuses on displaying a quality.

while it displays

"While" implies simultaneous existence or action. "Displays" suggests a visible or prominent attribute.

nonetheless featuring

"Nonetheless" provides a stronger contrast and formality. "Featuring" emphasizes a key aspect or characteristic.

still possessing

"Still" maintains a sense of continuation despite the contrast. "Possessing" highlights ownership or inherent quality.

even so, exhibiting

"Even so" provides a concessive contrast. "Exhibiting" highlights a particular trait or feature.

despite showcasing

"Despite" sets up a clear contradiction. "Showcasing" emphasizes a deliberate presentation of a quality.

conversely, manifesting

"Conversely" introduces a direct opposite. "Manifesting" indicates a clear demonstration or embodiment.

FAQs

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

Use "but which bears" to connect two contrasting ideas while adding a specific attribute to the subject of the second clause. For example, "The theory is elegant, but which bears little resemblance to reality."

What are some alternatives to "but which bears"?

You can use alternatives like "yet which carries", "however which includes", or "though it holds" depending on the desired nuance.

Is it always necessary to use "but which bears"?

No, it's not always necessary. Simpler conjunctions like "but", "yet", or "although" can often convey the same meaning more directly. Use "but which bears" when you specifically want to emphasize a contrasting attribute.

How does "but which bears" differ from "but that bears"?

"But which bears" is generally preferred over "but that bears" when introducing a non-restrictive relative clause, providing additional, non-essential information. "That" is more common in restrictive clauses, which are essential to the meaning of the sentence.