which I applaud

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which I applaud" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express approval or admiration for something that has been mentioned previously. Example: "The new policy on sustainability is a significant step forward, which I applaud."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

TechCrunch

Huffington Post

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

A sensible comment which I applaud.

The Guardian

AL, London This was an interesting case as you were prepared to take it as far and as high as you could – which I applaud.

The Guardian - Money

After many emails and the involvement of EBD's solicitors, it accepts it was breaching the regulations and has agreed to refund your deposit, which I applaud.

The Guardian - Money

"So that's a triumph, or it may be a recognition that they've been shortchanged over quite a long time and it's now got to a point where even this government has to do something about it, which I applaud.

The Guardian

Inside the administration there's been a political judgment to do more, which I applaud, but there has not been an analytical definition of need or a budget planning process that could meet it".

The New York Times

At Boston University, she told the graduating class, "There are too few in our society who really have clear, individual convictions about right and wrong, truth and falsehood, and to use the words of our President — which I applaud — 'good and evil.' " Of George W. Bush, she added, "The fact that he sees the world in fairly simple terms is actually a virtue".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

We also demonstrate a measure of libertarian openness, which I also applaud.

Huffington Post

There has finally been a decision for which I would applaud the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Huffington Post

I think it only matters about your determination not to give up or not to stop learning new things - which I absolutely applaud.

Huffington Post

He then went on to talk about the Mormon Church's stance on immigration, which has been surprising to some in its liberality and its fierce principle of protecting family bonds, and which I personally applaud, and which may have been a big part of the reason that Utah Mormons refused to vote for Donald Trump in large numbers during the primaries this year.

Huffington Post

So whether you choose to celebrate your nerdiness (in which case I applaud you with intense admiration) or if you, like me, keep it hidden from others' sights, only to let loose when fangirling over the fact that Holly Smale's NEW BOOK is out SO SOON, let us come together and unite.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which I applaud" to clearly and concisely express your approval or admiration for a specific action, decision, or idea previously mentioned.

Common error

While grammatically correct, avoid using "which I applaud" excessively in casual conversations or informal writing; it may sound overly formal or pompous. Consider using simpler expressions like "I like that" or "That's great" for a more relaxed tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which I applaud" functions as a non-restrictive relative clause, adding extra information or commentary about a preceding statement or action. As seen in the examples provided by Ludwig, it expresses approval or admiration for something already mentioned.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62.5%

TechCrunch

18.75%

Huffington Post

15.625%

Less common in

Science

3.125%

Wiki

3.125%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which I applaud" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to express approval. As noted by Ludwig, it functions as a non-restrictive relative clause and serves to positively evaluate a preceding statement or action. While suitable for a range of contexts, it leans towards a neutral to formal register, making it particularly apt in news, media, and professional settings. When writing, ensure the phrase directly relates to a clearly defined prior action or statement and consider more informal alternatives when the situation calls for a more relaxed tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I commend that

Replaces "applaud" with "commend", offering a slightly more formal tone.

I approve of that

Substitutes "applaud" with "approve", indicating agreement or satisfaction.

I support that

Replaces "applaud" with "support", conveying a sense of backing or advocacy.

I endorse that

Uses "endorse" instead of "applaud", suggesting support for an idea or action.

I welcome that

Uses "welcome" instead of "applaud", indicating a positive reception.

I'm in favor of that

Expresses support by stating being in favor of something.

That has my approval

Phrases the sentiment as granting approval rather than expressing personal applause.

That meets with my approval

Similar to "That has my approval" but with a slightly different structure.

I think that's excellent

Expresses approval by directly stating the positive quality of something.

I am gratified by that

Expresses that something makes you feel happy and grateful.

FAQs

How can I use "which I applaud" in a sentence?

You can use "which I applaud" after mentioning a specific action, decision, or idea that you approve of. For example, "The company's commitment to sustainability is a significant step, "which I applaud"."

What are some alternatives to "which I applaud"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "I commend that", "I approve of that", or "I support that".

Is it correct to say "that I applaud" instead of "which I applaud"?

While "that I applaud" might be grammatically acceptable in some contexts, "which I applaud" is generally preferred when referring back to a specific clause or idea. "That" is more commonly used to introduce essential clauses, whereas "which" is used for non-essential, additional information.

When is it appropriate to use "which I applaud"?

It's appropriate to use "which I applaud" in formal writing or speech when you want to express approval in a clear and somewhat elevated manner. However, be mindful of the context and audience to avoid sounding overly formal.