which account for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which account for" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to explain the cause of something or why something happens. For example: "The recent rise in prices is due to several factors, which account for the overall increase."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He wears prostheses, which account for his slightly lumbering gait.

The New York Times - Arts

Hospital infections, which account for an estimated 100,000 deaths every year.

The New York Times

Saudi Arabia is highly dependent on oil exports, which account for most of the government's budget.

The New York Times

A large part of that growth comes from pod sales, which account for 90% of revenues.

The Guardian

Commercial properties, which account for most of the tax refunds, entail another set of valuation complexities.

The New York Times

Commodities, which account for about a quarter of the fund, also helped.

The New York Times

The fund made money in public utilities, which account for 23percentt of its assets.

The New York Times

Higher prices for oil, which account for about half of government revenue, helped economic growth.

The New York Times

Business partnerships, which account for much of the state's wealth, escape most state taxes.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Mr. Humer acknowledges that pharmaceuticals, which account for 60percentt of revenue, face a dry spell.

The New York Times

Poverty is twice as high in rural areas, which account "for nearly 85% of total poverty".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which account for", ensure the noun it refers to is clearly defined and that the percentage or quantity explained is accurate.

Common error

Avoid using "that" instead of "which" when the clause provides additional, non-essential information. "Which" is appropriate for non-restrictive clauses set off by commas.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which account for" functions as a relative clause, providing additional information about a preceding noun or noun phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it explains causation, proportion, or composition, as seen in various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "which account for" is a versatile relative clause used to provide additional information, explain causation, or indicate the proportion something contributes to a whole. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse domains, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. Although suitable for both formal and informal writing, it is more frequently seen in analytical contexts. Related phrases include "that explain", "that are responsible for", and "that constitute". Common errors involve misusing "that" instead of "which", making it essential to understand the grammatical function for effective writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that explain

Focuses on the explanatory aspect, omitting the direct numerical association.

that are responsible for

Highlights responsibility or causation rather than just numerical contribution.

that constitute

Emphasizes the composition or formation of a whole.

that make up

Similar to 'constitute' but less formal.

that explain in part

Indicates a partial explanation or contribution.

that contribute to

Highlights the contribution towards something.

that are attributed to

Focuses on attribution or assignment of a cause.

that derive from

Indicates the origin or source of something.

that stem from

Implies origination or causation, often from a single source.

that are caused by

Directly indicates causation or effect.

FAQs

How do I use "which account for" in a sentence?

Use "which account for" to introduce a clause that explains the proportion or cause of something. For example, "Sales from overseas, which account for 60% of our revenue, have increased significantly this year."

What's the difference between "which account for" and "which accounts for"?

"Which account for" is used when referring to a plural noun, while "which accounts for" is used with a singular noun. Example: "Factors, which account for the change, are numerous" vs "One factor, which accounts for the change, is the weather."

What can I say instead of "which account for"?

You can use alternatives like "that explain", "that are responsible for", or "that constitute" depending on the context.

Is "which account for" formal or informal?

"Which account for" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. The context of the sentence determines the overall formality.