everything which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "everything which" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a specific subset of items that are part of a larger group. For example: "I went to the store and bought everything which was on my list."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not everything which is technically doable should be done.

The New York Times

They have travel sizes of everything, which is really convenient.

The New York Times

He spoke about everything, which is to say nothing.

The New Yorker

"He puts butter in everything, which drives Claude crazy".

The New York Times - Style

"You're telling them everything, which is a very scary thought.

The New York Times

A cat sees everything, which doesn't mean it moves much.

The New York Times - Arts

He thought he had taught me everything, which is true".

The Guardian - Film

The convenience trumps everything, which makes audio fidelity a weirdly niche concern.

The New Yorker

This changes everything, which is why we have paradoxes of thrift and flexibility.

The New York Times

The Baby has a new habit of waving goodbye to everything, which breaks her heart.

The New Yorker

But all the other leaders keep obstructing things by agreeing to everything, which must be exasperating.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for conciseness, consider using "everything that" or "all that" instead of "everything which", as they often convey the same meaning more efficiently.

Common error

Avoid using "which" when "that" is more appropriate. In restrictive clauses (clauses essential to the meaning of the sentence), "that" is generally preferred. For instance, use "everything that is necessary" rather than "everything which is necessary" for a tighter sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "everything which" functions as a relative clause, specifying a particular subset of items or aspects. Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically correct. These clauses modify a noun or pronoun, providing additional information. For example, "Everything which is technically doable should be done."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "everything which" is a grammatically sound relative clause used to specify a subset of items or aspects, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While functional across various registers, "everything that" often offers a more concise alternative in restrictive clauses. The phrase sees frequent use in news media and scientific writing, denoting specification and limitation. When using "everything which", ensure it adds meaningful clarification, but consider alternatives like "everything that" or "all that" for potentially improved conciseness and flow.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

everything that

Replaces "which" with the more common relative pronoun "that".

all the things that

Breaks down "everything" into "all the things" for clarity.

all that

Replaces "everything which" with a simpler pronoun referring to a previously mentioned subject.

every single thing that

Adds emphasis to the comprehensive nature of "everything".

each thing that

Emphasizes the individual items encompassed within "everything".

everything that encompasses

Highlights the all-encompassing nature of "everything".

the entirety of what

Uses a more formal and emphatic phrase for "everything".

the whole of what

Implies completeness and totality, similar to "everything".

whatever

A more concise alternative, implying 'all that' or 'anything that'.

all aspects of

Focuses on encompassing all aspects or elements of something.

FAQs

How can I use "everything which" in a sentence?

Use "everything which" to refer to all the items or aspects of something that meet a specific condition. For example, "I took everything which was offered to me."

Is there a difference between "everything which" and "everything that"?

While both are often interchangeable, "everything that" is generally preferred in restrictive clauses for its conciseness and flow. "Everything which" is more common in non-restrictive clauses, though still less frequent than "everything that" overall.

What are some alternatives to "everything which"?

Alternatives include "all that", "everything that", or simply "everything" depending on the context. The best choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.

When is it best to use "everything which" over other similar phrases?

Use "everything which" when you want to emphasize a specific condition or qualification. However, consider whether "everything that" or "all that" might be more concise and equally effective.