in a state which

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "in a state which" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a specific state or condition that something or someone is in. Here is an example: "The building was in a state which could only be described as chaotic, with people running in every direction and alarms blaring."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Each of these "aye" votes on the PPACA also sponsored S. 979, the Small Business Health Options Program Act of 2009, which offered tax credits to small businesses only "in a State which..

Forbes

A great work --yes; butheot the greatest, unless he find a State suitable to him; for in a State which is suitable to him, he will have a larger growth and be the saviour of his country, as well as of himself.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

That seems unthinkable at first in a state which has a strong independent streak and a history of political activism.

The Guardian

"If you continue to run the World Cup in a state which enslaves workers, it shames the game.

The Guardian

Here was a fearless, charismatic and ruthless soldier in a state which, like many, has done bad things in half a century of wars.

The Economist

In June Mr Cuomo brought in a cap on property taxes, in a state which the Tax Foundation ranks as the sixth-most-taxed in the country.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

It's one of the novellas in In a Free State, which brought him the 1971 Booker Prize.

The Guardian

This shows that GFP gene was in a heterochromatic state which is in agreement with a transcriptionally inactive period).

BioMed Research International

Yeast cells, like all other living cells, spend most of their time in a quiescent state, which in yeast results from starvation for one or more nutrients.

Genetics

Faith, War and Hope in a Shattered State," which was released in February 2012.

The New York Times

Most of the plant will be maintained in a 'quiescent state', which means functioning at a low level, until then.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in a state which", ensure that the relative clause clearly defines or provides essential information about the state being described. This helps maintain clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid substituting "which" with "that" when "which" is used after a comma to introduce a nonrestrictive clause. Nonrestrictive clauses provide additional information but are not essential to the sentence's core meaning. For instance, "The country, in a state which was ravaged by war, needed assistance" uses "which" correctly after the comma.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a state which" functions as a relative clause introducing additional information or providing a description about the preceding noun. This usage is verified by Ludwig, affirming its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in a state which" functions as a relative clause, commonly used to provide additional descriptive information. While not as frequent as other similar phrases, Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and applicability in various contexts, particularly in news and academic writing. When using this phrase, it is crucial to ensure that the relative clause appropriately defines or clarifies the state being described to avoid ambiguity. Remember to use commas for nonrestrictive clauses. Alternatives like "where" or "when" can sometimes provide a more concise way to express the same idea. In conclusion, understanding these subtle nuances will empower you to wield the phrase "in a state which" with precision and efficacy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a condition where

Replaces "state" with "condition", focusing on the circumstances.

in a situation where

Substitutes "state" with "situation", highlighting the context.

in circumstances in which

Uses the more formal "circumstances" instead of "state" and rewords the phrase.

under circumstances that

Changes the structure to emphasize the prevailing conditions.

in a position that

Focuses on the placement or status of something.

in a world where

Highlights a global or widespread context, using "world" instead of "state".

in a realm where

Implies a specific domain or area of experience.

within an environment that

Emphasizes the surrounding factors or setting.

in a framework where

Highlights the structural or organizational context.

in a scenario that

Suggests a hypothetical or projected situation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase “in a state which” to sound more concise?

Consider using alternatives like "where", "when", or "under conditions "where"", depending on the context to achieve a more streamlined sentence.

Is it always necessary to use a comma before “in a state which”?

The necessity of a comma depends on whether the clause introduced by “in a state which” is restrictive (essential to the sentence's meaning) or nonrestrictive (adds extra information). Nonrestrictive clauses, which are more common with this phrase, require a comma.

What's the difference between "in a state that" and "in a state which"?

While both phrases are grammatically acceptable, "in a state "that"" is typically used for restrictive clauses (essential information), and "in a state which" is used for nonrestrictive clauses (additional information set off by commas).

Can "in a state which" be used to describe abstract concepts, or is it limited to physical conditions?

The phrase can describe both abstract concepts (e.g., "in a state which is characterized by economic instability") and physical conditions (e.g., "in a state which is prone to earthquakes"), making it versatile for various contexts.