four of which

USAGE SUMMARY

'four of which' is a perfectly acceptable phrase to use in written English.
It is used to indicate a selection from a larger group. For example, "I have six cats, four of which are Ragdoll breeds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He has written 5 novels, four of which are unpublished.

The New Yorker

Her husband, Wilson, died in 1963 leaving her with six children, four of which have died.

The Guardian

Ross has released five studio LPs, four of which topped the US Billboard charts.

The Guardian - Music

Their nine medals, four of which were gold, meant the average expense per medal was £3m.

The Guardian - Sport

It was ultimately translated into twelve languages, four of which I could read.

The New Yorker

SAP American depository receipts, four of which represent an ordinary share, fell $1.65, to $19.70.

The New York Times

There are eight in total, four of which are by Dickens.

The Guardian - Books

The self-portraits by John, four of which are reproduced here, are breathtaking.

The Guardian - Books

The panels are controlled by six actuators, four of which have been recovered from the sea.

The Guardian

He has launched six startups to date, four of which he still controls.

The Guardian

And yet: just nine songs, four of which don't merit any substantial discussion now.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure the antecedent (the larger group being referred to) is clear and unambiguous to avoid confusion. For example, "We reviewed ten applications, four of which met the criteria" is more effective than "We reviewed ten applications, four of which were good."

Common error

Avoid using "four of which" when the initial number doesn't logically allow for such a selection. For instance, if you start with "three options", you can't then say "four of which". Ensure the initial quantity is greater than or equal to four.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "four of which" functions as a relative clause introducing additional information about a subset of a previously mentioned group. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, which is supported by the many examples found.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

32%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "four of which" is a grammatically sound and frequently used relative clause that enables speakers and writers to specify elements within a larger set. It appears across various sources, from news and media to scientific publications, as pointed out by Ludwig AI. To use it effectively, ensure a clear antecedent is established and avoid mismatched number agreements. Consider related phrases for stylistic variation, such as "four among them". Proper use enhances clarity and specificity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

four that

Simplifies the structure by omitting 'of which'.

four among them

Replaces 'which' with 'them', focusing on a specific group.

four from which

Slightly more formal alternative using 'from which'.

four that are

Expands on the selection using a relative clause.

four out of these

Uses 'out of these' to emphasize selection.

four from those

Replaces 'which' with 'those', referring to a previously mentioned group.

four included

A concise alternative, focusing on the inclusion aspect.

four specimens thereof

More formal and specific to contexts involving samples or items.

four in number

Emphasizes the quantity while implying selection.

a quartet of these

Uses 'quartet' for a more descriptive and less common selection.

FAQs

How do I use "four of which" in a sentence?

Use "four of which" to specify a subset of four items from a larger, previously mentioned group. For example, "I bought six apples, "four of which" were red."

What are some alternatives to "four of which"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "four among them", "four from which", or simply "four that".

Is it ever incorrect to use "four of which"?

It would be incorrect to use "four of which" if you haven't established a larger group from which the four are being selected. Make sure the number in the group is at least four.

What's the difference between "four of which" and "four of whom"?

"Four of which" refers to things, while "four of whom" refers to people. For example, "I have six books, four of which are novels" vs. "I interviewed six candidates, four of whom were highly qualified".