the community which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the community which" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific group of people or a collective entity that shares common interests or characteristics. Example: "The community which supports local artists has grown significantly over the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Here made manifest was the community which might eventually replace the traditional us-and-them relationship.

The Guardian

Everyone relies equally on the community, which diminishes the likelihood of abuse.

The Guardian - Tech

"It opened up real fractures in the community which hadn't been there before.

The Guardian

"It's extremely uplifting, both for us and for the community which we helped," says Al-Jassem.

The Guardian

"We're interested in justice and in uniting the community, which will now be possible".

The New York Times

"He wanted to work with the community, which is always a welcome change for a developer.

The New York Times

Land in Karamoja is particularly important to the community, which depends on nomadic pastoralism for survival.

The Guardian

My parents were always donating their time to the community, which also influenced me.

The New York Times

In 1993, the Greek government provided electricity to the community, which consisted of about 53 families.

The New York Times

The community, which was made up mainly of artisans, was famous for its pottery.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Judge Debbie Mortimer will consider whether Queensland should compensate the community, which has also asked for a formal apology.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the community which", ensure that the relative clause introduced by "which" provides essential information that defines or clarifies which community is being referenced. Avoid using it in non-restrictive clauses where the information is merely additional.

Common error

Avoid using "who" instead of "which" when referring to a community as a collective entity. While "who" is appropriate for individuals, "which" is generally used for groups or organizations. However, if you're emphasizing the people within the community, using "who" can be acceptable, but "that" might still be a better fit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the community which" functions as a noun phrase followed by a relative clause, where "which" introduces additional information about the community. Ludwig AI confirms it's usable in written English. The relative clause typically clarifies or defines the specific community being referenced.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

23%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

4%

Huffington Post

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the community which" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase for specifying a particular community and adding defining information through a relative clause. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is considered neutral in register and appears most often in news and media sources, as well as in scientific and encyclopedic contexts. When writing, ensure that the "which" clause is essential to the sentence and not merely additional information. Consider using "that" as an alternative, especially in American English. By understanding the nuances of this phrase, you can enhance the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the community that

Replaces "which" with "that", a common alternative relative pronoun.

the community who

Uses "who" instead of "which" to refer to the community, emphasizing the people within it.

the local community that

Adds "local" to specify a geographically defined community, replacing "which" with "that".

the group that

Substitutes "community" with "group", providing a broader term for a collection of individuals.

the population that

Replaces "community" with "population", focusing on a demographic aspect.

the neighborhood that

Uses "neighborhood" to specify a geographically localized community, using "that" instead of "which".

the society that

Substitutes "community" with "society", suggesting a more structured and organized group.

the people who

Focuses directly on the individuals forming the community, using "who" as the relative pronoun.

the residents who

Replaces "community" with "residents", specifying those who live in a particular area.

the citizens who

Replaces "community" with "citizens", implying a formal membership within a defined area or nation.

FAQs

When should I use "the community which" versus "the community that"?

Both "the community which" and "the community that" are grammatically correct. "That" is generally preferred in American English, while "which" is more common in British English. In both cases, be sure that the clause introduced by either word is essential to identifying the community being discussed.

Is it ever appropriate to use "the community who"?

While technically, using "which" is more correct when referring to a community as a whole, you can use "the community who" if you want to emphasize the people that make up the community. It's subtly different, but acceptable in some contexts. An alternative that works in pretty much every context is "the people who".

What are some alternative ways to refer to a community?

Depending on the context, you might use terms like "the local community", "the group that", "the population that", or "the society that". Choose the term that best reflects the specific characteristics of the community you are discussing.

How can I make my writing more concise when using "the community which"?

Consider restructuring your sentence to avoid the relative clause altogether. For example, instead of "the community which supports local artists", you could write "the community supporting local artists" or simply "the local artists' community".