for which was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for which was" is not correct and usable in written English.
It is typically incorrect because it lacks a clear subject or context, making it difficult to understand. Example: "The reason for which was unclear to everyone involved."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Rock Party released a 12" single, "Everything to Live For", which was produced by Joe Wissert, Phil Rigger, and Phil Beazley.

Wikipedia

Here's his recent single Boss Zonke, the video for which was directed by Adriaan Louw.

The Guardian

He saw what we were working for, which was the pathos of the moment".

The New York Times - Magazine

Unfortunately, I got what I paid for, which was the cheap one.

The New Yorker

AH We got the day we were looking for, which was a lot more relaxed.

The Guardian - Sport

That is far short of the 4,000 originally hoped for, which was itself too few.

The Economist

"Appearance-wise, he was everything I was looking for, which was exciting," she recalled.

The New York Times

They got what they paid for, which was a physician who didn't know his or her stuff".

The Guardian

"We blundered about what we thought A.I. was going to be good for, which was replacing people," he said.

The New York Times - Tech

The test, in "geographical methods", was identical to that from 2014, the marking scheme for which was available online.

Independent

Devol originated the design for a programmable manipulator, the U.S. patent for which was issued in 1961.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the clause introduced by "for which" has a clear subject. If missing, add "it" or another appropriate subject to improve clarity and grammatical correctness. For example, use "for which it was" instead of "for which was".

Common error

Avoid omitting the subject after "for which". This often leads to grammatically incorrect sentences. Always include a subject (e.g., "it", "that", "the reason") to ensure the clause is clear and complete.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for which was" introduces a relative clause, typically modifying a preceding noun. However, it's often flagged as grammatically questionable because it frequently lacks a clear subject, leading to potential ambiguity. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is generally incorrect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

37%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for which was" is commonly used but often grammatically incorrect due to the absence of a clear subject. As Ludwig AI points out, this omission can lead to ambiguity and structural issues. To ensure clarity and grammatical correctness, consider adding a subject like "it", resulting in "for which it was". This adjustment enhances the grammatical integrity and communicative effectiveness of your writing. Usage spans diverse contexts, from news and scientific reports to general encyclopedic entries, but adherence to proper grammatical structure is crucial for maintaining credibility, especially in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for which it was

Adds a subject ("it") to clarify the clause, improving grammatical structure.

for which that was

Introduces "that" to provide additional emphasis or specification to the clause.

of which it was

Replaces "for" with "of" and adds "it" to form a clearer possessive relationship.

for which there was

Uses "there was" to indicate existence or presence related to the preceding noun.

for which the reason was

Specifies "the reason" to clarify the purpose or cause being referred to.

for which the intention was

Clarifies that the clause refers to an intended purpose or aim.

for what purpose

Simplifies the structure to directly ask about the purpose.

to what end

Uses a more concise and formal expression to ask about the goal or outcome.

where it was

Replaces "for which" with "where" to focus on the location or context.

in regard to which there was

Employs a more elaborate phrasing to indicate relation.

FAQs

How can I properly use "for which was" in a sentence?

While the phrase "for which was" is frequently found, it often lacks a clear subject, leading to grammatical errors. To correct it, ensure a subject is present, such as using "for which it was".

What are some alternatives to "for which was" that improve sentence clarity?

To enhance clarity, you can use alternatives such as "for which it was", "of which it was", or rephrase the sentence to avoid the construction altogether.

Is "for which was" grammatically correct?

The phrase "for which was" often results in grammatically incorrect sentences due to the absence of a clear subject. Including a subject like "it" (e.g., "for which it was") can rectify this issue.

What is the difference between "for which was" and "for which it was"?

The key difference is grammatical completeness. "For which was" typically omits a necessary subject, whereas "for which it was" includes the subject "it", making the clause grammatically sound and easier to understand.