which are examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which are examples" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce specific instances or illustrations of a broader concept or category that has been mentioned previously. Example: "There are several types of renewable energy sources, which are examples of sustainable practices."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Each Account has its own balance and account holder name, which are examples of instance attributes.

University of California, Berkeley

Annexed to which are examples selected from well-known objects in the animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms.

Yale University

Detecting which uses are legitimate and which are examples of abuse is especially hard because these operations are allowed to operate with a considerable degree of privacy.

The New York Times

This paper is concerned with the design of reinforced concrete structures like deep beams and squat shear walls which are examples of so called Disturbed or D regions in which plane sections do not remain plane after loading.

Engineering Structures

The individual bones of the skeleton are held firmly together by ligaments, and muscles are attached to bone by tendons, both of which are examples of dense connective tissue in which many fibre bundles are associated in parallel array to provide great tensile strength.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This curriculum unit will consist of an essay on the material to be presented in the classroom and the pedagogical strategies to be employed, followed by several lesson plans, which are examples of those to be used by the teacher, and an annotated bibliography.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

And that corresponds to the example in the text, which is example 3.1.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Let's first of all, look at the example in the text, which is Example 9.1.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

There's also another example in the text, the example that precedes this one, which is example 4.10.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Just to underscore that point, let me draw your attention to another example in the text, which is Example 9.2.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This study showed the recent origins of flood-resistant riparian plants, which are remarkable examples of plant ecological adaptation.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the antecedent (the noun before the phrase) is plural, as the verb "are" requires a plural subject.

Common error

Avoid using "which are examples" when referring to a single item. If your antecedent is singular, you must use "which is an example" to maintain grammatical agreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which are examples" functions as a non-restrictive relative clause. It is used to provide additional, non-essential information about a plural noun that precedes it. According to Ludwig, it typically serves to bridge a general category with specific instances for the sake of clarity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

45%

Academia

35%

News & Media

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Professional

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "which are examples" is a standard and highly effective linguistic tool for introducing illustrations in English writing. Ludwig AI confirms its high frequency in authoritative sources, particularly within the fields of Science and Academia. It is most commonly used as a non-restrictive relative clause, meaning it should typically be preceded by a comma. The most critical rule to remember is subject-verb agreement: only use "which are examples" when the preceding noun is plural. For singular subjects, the correct alternative is "which is an example". Overall, it is a reliable choice for any writer looking to provide clarity through specific instances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which exemplify

Uses a more formal, high-register verb to indicate representation.

which serve as examples

Emphasizes the functional role of the items being mentioned.

which are instances of

More precise in technical or logical contexts.

which illustrate

Uses an active verb to show the purpose of the provided items.

such as

A significantly more concise way to introduce examples, though it functions as a preposition.

which represent

Broadens the scope to include symbolic or categorical representation.

including

A simpler participle form that fits seamlessly into most sentences.

which demonstrate

Suggests that the examples provide evidence or proof of a concept.

which act as examples

Focuses on the temporary or structural function within the text.

which are cases of

Often used in medical, legal, or specific situational analysis.

FAQs

How do I use "which are examples" in a sentence?

You use it to introduce specific instances of a plural category mentioned previously. For example: "The lab studied various noble gases, which are examples of stable elements."

What is the difference between "which are examples" and "such as"?

While both introduce illustrations, "such as" is a prepositional phrase often used for brief lists, whereas "which are examples" is a relative clause that can add more descriptive weight to the sentence.

Should I use a comma before "which are examples"?

Yes, in most cases where the clause is non-essential (providing extra information), a comma is required to set it off from the rest of the sentence.

Can I say "which is an example" instead?

Only if you are referring to one thing. If you have a single subject, use ""which is an example""; otherwise, stay with the plural form.