which anyway

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which anyway" is not standard in written English and may be considered informal or colloquial.
It can be used in conversational contexts to imply that something is true regardless of other factors or to dismiss a previous point. Example: "I didn't really like the movie, which anyway was too long for my taste."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Economists usually make do with GDP (which anyway gauges income rather than assets).

The Economist

The break coincided with the problem of sex, which, anyway, could no longer be ignored.

The New Yorker

He did not offer any such solutions, which anyway do not come in handy packets.

The Guardian - Opinion

Indian companies pay more for power, capital and wages than do Chinese competitors, which anyway hide their costs, claims Rahul Bajaj.

The Economist

In one fascinating passage, he surveys a Costa Rican jungle, dispensing with the "100-meter square grids," which anyway "nonhuman animals don't understand".

The New York Times - Books

Sevanti Ninan, a media activist, reckons the practice will "grow and grow in a media which anyway has little notion of conflicts of interest".

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Which happens anyway.

The New York Times

Peer Steinbrück, the finance minister, believes he can allay their fears, which are anyway off the mark.

The Economist

Only an imperceptible portion of petrodollars bankroll terrorism, which is anyway quite cheap.

The Economist

An employer cannot impose extra hours, which will anyway be subject to 125% overtime pay.

The Economist

Buddhism, which is anyway a foreign import, has been cornered by the Dalai Lama.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context carefully. While "which anyway" is common, it's less appropriate for formal or academic writing where a more precise and less dismissive tone is often required. Use alternatives like "which in any case" in such scenarios.

Common error

Avoid using "which anyway" in formal documents or academic papers. It introduces a level of informality that can undermine the credibility of your writing. Instead, opt for more formal alternatives that convey a similar meaning without sounding dismissive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which anyway" functions as a nonrestrictive relative clause followed by an adverbial phrase, adding extra information to a preceding clause. It often serves to downplay the significance of the initial clause or provide a reason why it's not entirely relevant. As noted by Ludwig, this construction is acceptable but tends to be informal.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which anyway" is a common phrase functioning as a nonrestrictive relative clause followed by an adverbial phrase, used to add a dismissive or supplementary comment to a preceding clause. As noted by Ludwig, while considered acceptable, it leans towards the informal side and should be used cautiously in formal writing. It appears frequently in News & Media and Science contexts, suggesting a neutral to informal register. For more formal settings, alternatives like "which in any case" or "regardless" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which in any case

Replaces 'anyway' with a more formal equivalent, maintaining the dismissal of the preceding clause.

which regardless

Emphasizes that the preceding clause does not affect the main point, similar to 'anyway'.

which be that as it may

A more formal way of acknowledging a point but then setting it aside as not crucial.

which nonetheless

Indicates that despite the preceding clause, the main point still holds true.

which nevertheless

Similar to 'nonetheless', emphasizing the persistence of the main point despite the preceding clause.

which at any rate

Implies that the preceding clause is not particularly important to the overall conclusion.

which in either event

Suggests that regardless of what happened before, the main point remains valid.

which all the same

Indicates that the preceding clause does not change the outcome or the main point.

which despite everything

Highlights that even with the preceding information, the conclusion remains unchanged.

which that being said

Transitions from the preceding clause to a different, often contrasting, point.

FAQs

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

Use "which anyway" to add a dismissive or supplementary thought to a previous clause. For instance: "I didn't really like the movie, "which anyway" was too long for my taste."

What can I say instead of "which anyway"?

You can use alternatives like "in any case", "regardless", or "nevertheless" depending on the context.

Is "which anyway" grammatically correct?

While widely used, "which anyway" is considered informal. It's generally acceptable in casual conversation and some types of writing, but it's best to avoid it in formal contexts.

What's the difference between "which anyway" and "which in any case"?

"Which anyway" carries a more casual and dismissive tone compared to "which in any case", which is more formal and neutral. Choose "which in any case" for professional or academic writing.