something on which

USAGE SUMMARY

"something on which" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to introduce a phrase that further explains or clarifies the preceding clause or idea. For example: "My family has a strong tradition, something on which we have all agreed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Good operations can sometimes compensate for poor design and vice versa, but that is not something on which one should rely.

What Went Wrong? Case Histories of Process Plant Disasters and How They Could Hare Been Avoided

Something on which to turn one's back.

BBC

The idea that it is something on which civilisation depends, but which no one notices until it goes badly wrong, when you have to bring a specialist.

The Guardian - Books

THAT Barcelona is one of the great cities on Earth is something on which most people can agree.

The Economist

There is something on which to build.

The Economist

That is something on which they would have to disagree.

Independent

This was something on which the government refused to comment.

The Guardian

Something on which the jury's still out for the moment.

The Guardian

Finally, something on which he and McClaren agreed.

The Guardian - Sport

And that's something on which all Americans can agree.

The Guardian

But revulsion at violence is not something on which anyone has a monopoly.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "something on which" to clearly indicate a dependency or foundation for an argument, decision, or belief. This phrase introduces the specific thing that provides support or justification.

Common error

Avoid using "something on which" in simple sentences where a more direct preposition like "on" or "upon" would suffice. For example, instead of "a table is something on which to put items", use "a table is for putting items on".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "something on which" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a clause specifying the basis, foundation, or supporting element for a preceding statement. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "something on which" is a grammatically correct and widely used prepositional phrase employed to indicate a foundation, basis, or dependency. Ludwig AI confirms that it is frequently used in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While versatile, it should be used judiciously to avoid redundancy in simpler sentences. Related phrases like "matter on which" or "subject on which" can provide more specificity, depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

matter on which

Replaces "something" with a more specific noun, focusing on the subject of consideration.

subject on which

Specifies that the 'something' is a topic or subject being discussed or considered.

topic on which

Similar to 'subject on which', but emphasizes a specific theme or issue.

point on which

Highlights a specific aspect or detail that something relies upon.

issue on which

Indicates a matter of debate or concern that serves as a foundation.

basis for

Condenses the phrase to emphasize the foundation or reason for something.

foundation for

Highlights the underlying structure or support for something.

grounds for

Emphasizes the justification or reason for something.

area where

Shifts the focus to a specific field or domain where something is applicable.

field where

Similar to 'area where', but emphasizes a broader domain of application.

FAQs

How can I use "something on which" in a sentence?

Use "something on which" to introduce a clarifying detail. For example, "My family has a strong tradition, "something on which" we have all agreed."

What are some alternatives to "something on which"?

Alternatives include "matter on which", "subject on which", or "basis for", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "something on which" or a simpler preposition?

In complex sentences, "something on which" can add clarity. However, simpler prepositions like "on" or "upon" are preferable in straightforward sentences.

What's the difference between "something on which" and "something that"?

"Something on which" indicates a dependency or foundation, while "something that" introduces a descriptive or defining attribute. The choice depends on whether you're emphasizing a relationship of support or a characteristic.