the thing which

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "the thing which" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to emphasize that something is part of a larger group of things. For example, "He found the thing which he was looking for."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The thing which did it was the family.

The Guardian - Sport

What is the thing which you most enjoy about reading and writing books?

The Guardian

I stared up at the thing, which slowly and methodically rotated some 25 degrees.

The New York Times

Her life will turn on the thing which did not happen, which might have been.

The Guardian - Books

Countering the drawbacks of mail-in voting is the convenience of the thing, which is profound.

The New York Times

"The thing which first caught my eye about him is his command of the penalty area.

The Guardian - Sport

The thing which made them rich was the very fact that they lived in Pepys Road".

The Guardian - Books

Racing is the thing which is bringing him [on], which is brilliant.

The Guardian - Sport

The thing which has been living in your imagination suddenly becomes a part of the tangible world.

The New York Times - Books

Lately I've been saying, "I no longer want to make the thing," which might be a cup.

The New York Times

We examined the phenomenon of hitting things, and concluded that the thing which moves around like a gazelle is more difficult to hit than the thing which stands still like a rotting tree stump.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the thing which" to clearly identify a specific item or concept among others, especially when adding a clarifying clause.

Common error

Avoid using "the thing which" in simple sentences where direct language is clearer. For instance, instead of "The thing which I need is a pen", write "I need a pen".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the thing which" functions as a relative clause introducing additional information about a previously mentioned noun or idea. As seen in Ludwig, this construction allows for elaboration or specification of what is being referred to. It is a way to single out and emphasize a particular aspect or item.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the thing which" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce relative clauses, providing extra detail about a noun. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and grammatical correctness. While versatile, it is important to consider conciseness and avoid overuse in simple sentences, where alternatives like "what" or "that" might be more effective. As an alternative "the aspect that" is appropriate for many contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the aspect that

Focuses on a specific feature or component.

the item that

Emphasizes a particular object or piece.

the element that

Highlights a constituent part or ingredient.

the component that

Stresses a functional part of a larger whole.

the factor that

Indicates a contributing cause or influence.

the detail that

Draws attention to a specific piece of information.

the feature that

Points out a notable characteristic or attribute.

the quality that

Emphasizes a characteristic or attribute.

what it is that

More emphatic and verbose way of expressing something similar.

the reason why

Explains the motivation or cause behind something.

FAQs

How can I use "the thing which" in a sentence?

Use "the thing which" to specify or elaborate on a particular item or idea. For example, "The thing which surprised me most was the ending."

What's a simpler way to say "the thing which"?

Consider using "what" or "that" for brevity. For example, instead of "the thing which I wanted", try "what I wanted" or "the thing that I wanted".

Is it better to say "the thing that" or "the thing which"?

Both "the thing that" and "the thing which" are grammatically correct, but "that" is often preferred in modern usage for its conciseness. For example, "The thing that matters" is generally favored over "The thing which matters."

When should I use "the thing which" instead of "the thing that"?

While interchangeable in many contexts, some writers prefer "the thing which" in nonrestrictive clauses (though commas are not included in the phrase itself). However, using "the thing that" will be more concise.