which are so

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which are so" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to specific items or qualities that have been previously mentioned, often to emphasize their nature or characteristics. Example: "The results of the experiment were inconclusive, which are so disappointing for the research team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was orecchiette, which are so popular in Apulia.

The New York Times

My son introduced me to Cressida Cowell's dragon books, which are so good and funny.

The New York Times - Books

Pregnant pigs are often confined in farrowing crates which are so restrictive they cannot turn around.

Independent

So Helen begins tracking Roger, looking into his past and Seattle's, which are so intertwined.

The New York Times - Books

Flags, slogans, signals, signboards, clothes, suntan even, which are so many messages to me".

The New York Times - Magazine

And the toggle switches, which are so important to a sports car".

The New York Times

The report presents a sad picture of relationships with friends, which are so important to children.

The Guardian

Crucially, too, they do not cover services, which are so central to Britain's economy.

The Guardian

Serving lettuce with highly spiced foods, which are so common in tropical cuisines, seemed natural.

The New York Times - Food

Strachan retains the kind of man-management attributes which are so valuable in international football.

The Guardian - Sport

"In playing recitals, which are so intimate, you constantly have to have that dialogue.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which are so", ensure that the adjective following "so" accurately and effectively conveys the intended degree or quality. Overuse can dilute the impact, so vary your phrasing for emphasis.

Common error

Avoid using "which are so" repeatedly within a short span of text. This can make your writing sound monotonous. Instead, diversify your sentence structures and use synonyms to maintain reader engagement and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which are so" functions as a relative clause introducing additional information about a noun or noun phrase. As noted by Ludwig AI, it emphasizes a particular quality or characteristic. The examples in Ludwig demonstrate its use in describing various attributes, ranging from physical properties to emotional states.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which are so" is a grammatically correct and frequently used construction for adding descriptive detail and emphasizing qualities. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and wide applicability. It functions as a relative clause, often found in news, media, and scientific contexts. While versatile, writers should be mindful of overuse to maintain clarity and impact. Alternatives such as "that are extremely" or "which are particularly" can offer variation. In formal writing, consider using more precise vocabulary for added impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that are very

Substitutes "so" with "very", providing a less intense degree of the adjective.

that are extremely

Changes "which" to "that" and replaces "so" with "extremely" for added emphasis.

which are incredibly

Uses "incredibly" instead of "so" to express a high level of the described attribute.

which are remarkably

Replaces "so" with "remarkably", indicating a notable degree or quality.

which are intensely

Uses "intensely" instead of "so" for a stronger degree of the quality.

which are particularly

Replaces "so" with "particularly", focusing on specific emphasis.

which are exceptionally

Substitutes "so" with "exceptionally", denoting rarity or unusualness.

that are uniquely

Switches "which" to "that" and "so" to "uniquely", highlighting the distinctiveness of something.

which happen to be

Adds "happen to be" to soften the emphasis while maintaining a similar meaning.

which prove to be

Emphasizes the result or outcome of something, instead of the direct adjective.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "which are so" in a sentence?

Use "which are so" to provide additional information or emphasize a quality of something previously mentioned. For example, "The tasks, "which are so demanding", require careful planning."

What are some alternatives to "which are so"?

Alternatives include "that are very", "that are extremely", or "which are particularly", depending on the level of emphasis you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "which are so" and "that are so"?

"Which are so" introduces a non-restrictive clause, adding extra information, while "that are so" introduces a restrictive clause, essential to the meaning of the sentence. Therefore, using "which" or "that" depends on whether the information is crucial or additional.

When is it appropriate to use "which are so" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "which are so" can sometimes sound less formal. In very formal contexts, consider stronger, more precise vocabulary to describe the qualities, or use alternatives like "which are exceptionally" or "which are remarkably".