which

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "which" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a pronoun used to refer to something previously mentioned. For example: "I just bought a new car, which is much better than my old one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The food market, while it shares that trait that everybody's in it, it is not a market in which your participation is often unpredictable and often involuntary".

The New York Times

So which is it?

The New York Times

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The Guardian - Lifestyle

Trials of this idea are currently under way, one of which should report next year.

The Economist

ReprintsThe first "arm" of the trial, in which PRO 2000 formed 2% of the gel, was abandoned early because results elsewhere suggested this was an ineffective mix.

The Economist

"There will be some circumstances in which it's right for public bodies, for example at the border, at airport security, to say there is a practical necessity for asking somebody to remove a veil.

The Guardian

But Greek voters are equally certain that it's unfair for them to suffer years of slim government budgets and high unemployment in order to repay foreign banks and richer northern neighbors, which have reaped outsized benefits from closer European integration.

The New York Times

Which is good.

The New York Times

"The British government is working with others in the world to bring peace to Gaza and we do now have a tentative ceasefire which we all hope will hold".

The Guardian

"Tickets are valid on all other routes into London and Southern passengers are advised to avoid travelling through Clapham Junction, which is very busy.

The Guardian

North Korea's state media often boasts of successful military and space accomplishments, including the launch of a functional communications satellite, which are not independently verified by outside experts.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which" with a comma to introduce nonrestrictive clauses that add extra information but are not essential to the sentence's meaning. Without a comma, use "that" for restrictive clauses that are essential.

Common error

Avoid using "which" for restrictive clauses. Restrictive clauses define or limit the noun they modify and should be introduced by "that" without a comma. For example: "The car that I bought is red" (not "The car, which I bought, is red").

Linguistic Context

The word "which" functions primarily as a relative pronoun or a determiner. As a pronoun, it introduces nonrestrictive clauses, providing additional, non-essential information. As a determiner, it specifies one or more items from a group. Ludwig AI confirms these functions through its examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "which" is a versatile and commonly used relative pronoun and determiner. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and functions to introduce nonrestrictive clauses, adding extra details to sentences, and specify information. While generally neutral in register, its use can lend a slightly more formal tone, particularly in professional or academic contexts. Pay attention to the distinction between "which" and "that" to ensure grammatically correct and clear writing. Remember to use commas with "which" to introduce nonrestrictive clauses, while using "that" for restrictive clauses without commas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in which

A more formal way to introduce a relative clause, often used in academic writing.

that

A more general-purpose relative pronoun, sometimes interchangeable with "which" but can alter the sentence's nuance.

and that

Adds an additional piece of information related to the previous statement, providing extra detail.

who

Used when referring to people instead of things or ideas, providing a more specific reference.

whom

The objective form of "who", used when the pronoun is the object of a verb or preposition, adding a formal tone.

namely

Used to specify or identify something mentioned previously, providing a clarifying detail.

what

Used to ask for specific information or to refer to something indefinite, differing in its interrogative function.

where

Used to indicate a location or place, changing the focus from a thing to a location.

when

Used to indicate a time or occasion, shifting the focus to a temporal aspect.

that being said

Introduces a contrasting or qualifying statement, altering the flow of information.

FAQs

How do I use "which" in a sentence?

"Which" is used to introduce relative clauses, providing additional information about a noun. For example: "I bought a new laptop, "which is" faster than my old one."

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

"Which" introduces nonrestrictive clauses (extra information, set off by commas), while "that" introduces restrictive clauses (essential information, no commas). For example: "The book that I borrowed is due today" (essential) vs. "The book, "which I borrowed", is a first edition" (extra info).

Can I start a sentence with "which"?

While technically possible, starting a sentence with "which" is generally avoided in formal writing. It's more common to use "which" to continue a thought or add information to a previous clause.

What can I say instead of "which" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "in "in which"" or "for "for which"" instead of a simple "which". These alternatives often create a more sophisticated tone.