which appears

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which appears" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a clause that provides additional information about something that is visible or evident. Example: "The report contains several errors, which appears to be a result of a lack of proofreading."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Which appears to be legalese for: "You want your money?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Which appears quite difficult to avoid in Sydney anyway.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Moussaieff recalled the following exchange, which appears in Friedman's book.

The New York Times - Magazine

That which appears solid is in fact relatively weightless.

Independent

Can they halt a headlong decline which appears quite unprecedented?

Independent

That which appears light and airy is in fact substantial.

Independent

Art has become a business, which appears to serve only the needs of the art market.

The Guardian - Opinion

None of which appears to bear any great relation to what happens at his live performances.

The Guardian - Music

The finding, which appears in the journal Science, is based on a small study.

The New York Times - Science

Rheingold even exhumed its 1930's ad slogan "Good Beer," which appears on the bottle caps.

The New York Times

Hammond pledged £1.4bn for 40,000 "affordable" homes, which appears to be just £35,000 each.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which appears" to introduce a clause that provides additional, often visual or evidential, information about the preceding subject. It works well when describing observations or making inferences based on what is seen or perceived.

Common error

Avoid using "which appears" and "that appears" interchangeably without considering the context. "Which appears" is generally used in nonrestrictive clauses, adding extra information, while "that appears" can be used in restrictive clauses, essential for defining the subject. Using the wrong one can change the meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "which appears" is to act as a relative clause, introducing additional information or observations about the subject of the main clause. Ludwig examples show it modifying nouns and phrases by offering an assessment of how things seem or present themselves.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

20%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which appears" is a versatile phrase used to introduce additional information about a subject based on observation or available evidence. Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically sound and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. While frequently used, it's crucial to understand when to use "which" versus "that" to maintain grammatical accuracy. Alternatives like "that seems to be" and "as it seems" can offer variety, but understanding the slight differences in meaning is key. Proper use and understanding of context will ensure this phrase enhances clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that seems to be

Emphasizes the impression or feeling that something is a certain way.

that is evident

Focuses on the clear and obvious nature of something.

as it seems

Introduces an element of uncertainty or subjectivity.

that is apparent

Highlights the easily noticeable quality of something.

what is visible

Specifically refers to something that can be seen.

that is suggested

Indicates that something implies a certain conclusion.

as can be seen

Directly points out that something is observable.

that is presented

Emphasizes how something is displayed or shown.

that is manifested

Focuses on how something becomes apparent or real.

that is exposed

Highlights the revealing or uncovering of something.

FAQs

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

Use "which appears" to add nonessential information about something you've already mentioned. For example: "The data, "which appears" to be incomplete, needs further review."

What's a good alternative to "which appears"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "that seems to be", "that is evident", or "as it seems".

Is it always necessary to use a comma before "which appears"?

Yes, you typically need a comma before "which appears" because it introduces a nonrestrictive clause, providing additional but nonessential information. If the clause is essential to the sentence's meaning, consider rephrasing or using "that" instead.

What is the difference between "which appears" and "which is"?

"Which is" is a more general phrase, used to define or describe something. "Which appears" is more specific, implying something is evident or visually apparent. For example, "The solution, "which is" quite simple, involves two steps" versus "The problem, "which appears" to be a software bug, requires further investigation".