but which lies

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but which lies" 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 descriptive or explanatory context. Example: "The book presents a fascinating theory, but which lies outside the conventional understanding of the topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The challenge, perhaps surprisingly, comes from Indonesia, which has the world's largest Muslim population but which lies thousands of miles away from the Islamic State's base in the Middle East.

The New York Times

The ruins are a result of the war that has been waged off and on since 1988 between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountain enclave of spectacular beauty whose population has been heavily Armenian for the last century but which lies within the territory of rival Azerbaijan.

The New York Times

This is accomplished by a special kind of action that most people don't know about but which lies at the heart of getting what you want.

HuffPost

Gerontologists on the whole research an area yet to be experienced by them, but which lies in their potential future.

Ageing and Society

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Two years ago, the former world No 1 was penalised two shots in his second round here for brushing away some sand that was not on the green but which lay between his ball and the flag.

Independent

The posthumous release features an aria recorded by the opera singer 50 years ago but which lay unheard in his personal archives for five decades before it was unearthed by his widow, Nicoletta Mantovani.

The Guardian - Music

Two years ago, McIlroy was penalised two shots in his second round in Abu Dhabi for brushing away some sand that was not on the green, but which lay between his ball and the flag.

BBC

Two SNPs from dbSNP were identified, currently labeled as intronic, but which lie in these alternate first exons: both rs12839420 and rs1473666 reside in exon 0b but only rs1473666 was polymorphic.

American Journal of Medical Genetics, Part B, Neuropsychiatric Genetics

But Ichikikushikino, which lies slightly further away from the plant, receives only a fraction of that, even though residents say they would face similar health risks from radiation leaks in the event of an accident.

The Guardian

This is scarcely a liberal bastion, but the county, which lies some 70 miles northwest of Chicago, cast a majority of votes for the fellow Illinoisan in the White House.

The New York Times

But their ethic, which lies at the core of the foundation of America, is falling away.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but which lies", ensure that the 'but' introduces a genuine contrast or exception to the preceding statement. Avoid overuse, as it can sometimes sound overly formal or complex; consider simpler alternatives if appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "but which lies" when a simple relative clause with 'that' or 'which' would suffice. Overusing complex constructions can make your writing seem convoluted. For example, instead of 'The problem, but which lies in...', try 'The problem that lies in...' or 'The problem, which lies in...'

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but which lies" functions as a connector introducing a relative clause that provides additional information, often with a sense of contrast or exception. Ludwig AI confirms it's correct. Examples show it connecting a description to a preceding statement, adding a nuance of contrast.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but which lies" functions as a connector, introducing relative clauses with a hint of contrast or exception. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While primarily found in news and scientific writing, its formality suggests cautious use in more casual settings. Simpler alternatives like "yet that resides" can sometimes be more appropriate. When using "but which lies", ensure it genuinely introduces a contrasting or qualifying element to avoid redundancy and maintain clarity. As usage examples show, context is key in choosing the most effective phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet that resides

Replaces the conjunction and verb with a simpler alternative emphasizing location or existence.

but that exists

Similar to the original but uses 'exists' for a more direct statement of presence.

yet which remains

Substitutes 'lies' with 'remains' to emphasize persistence or continuation.

but that is situated

Replaces 'lies' with 'is situated' for a more formal description of location.

though which resides

Uses 'though' instead of 'but' to express a contrast, with 'resides' indicating placement.

although that exists

Similar to the original but starts with the contrasting "although" instead of "but".

however that remains

Alternative using "however" and the word "remains" to express contrast and persistence

nevertheless that is located

This option uses stronger contrast with "nevertheless" and substitutes "lies" to a passive form like "is located"

still that is found

An alternative expression, uses "still" to mark contrast and "is found" instead of "lies".

yet that can be detected

Substitutes location with possibility of detecting for a broader implication

FAQs

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

The phrase "but which lies" is used to introduce a clause that contrasts with or provides an exception to the preceding statement. For example, "The theory is compelling, but which lies outside the current scientific consensus."

What are some alternatives to "but which lies"?

Alternatives include "yet that resides", "but that exists", or a simpler relative clause using 'that' or 'which' alone.

Is "but which lies" always the best choice, or are there times to avoid it?

While grammatically correct, "but which lies" can sometimes sound formal or complex. Use it when you need to emphasize a contrast or exception. In simpler contexts, phrases such as "yet that remains" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "but which lies" and "that lies"?

"But which lies" indicates a contrast to the previous statement. "That lies" simply introduces a relative clause specifying a location or attribute without necessarily implying a contradiction.