which are then

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which are then" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to introduce an idea or concept that is a consequence of something mentioned in the preceding sentence. For example: "Many business owners are wary of hiring in an uncertain economy, which are then faced with a shortage of talent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The measured charge corresponds to certain colors, which are then superimposed over the portrait.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They begin as improvised drawings, which are then developed on a computer.

The Guardian - Arts

Dozens of hunters on horseback will corral elephant herds, which are then shot from the saddle.

The Guardian

This process heats the rocks, which are then used to cook the food.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The figures emerge as halves, which are then glued and clamped together.

The New York Times

Each night audience members are asked to suggest policies, which are then discussed and voted upon.

The Guardian - Opinion

Allegations are put to people that seem to be untested and unproven, which are then broadcast.

The Guardian - Opinion

"But these are one-off events, which are then applied to a wider context.

The Guardian

Judges explain in open court their sentencing decisions, which are then subject to appellate review.

The New York Times

Typically, prisoners send letters to people or companies on the outside, which are then posted online.

The New York Times

The overlapping images are spliced together into panoramas, which are then integrated into Google Maps.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which are then" to clearly indicate a sequence of events or a cause-and-effect relationship between actions described in your sentences. Ensure the connection between the clauses is logical and easily understood by the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "which are then" in restrictive clauses where 'that' would be more appropriate. 'Which' typically introduces non-essential information set off by commas, while 'that' introduces essential information necessary for understanding the sentence's core meaning. For example, you might incorrectly use "which are then" when 'that are then' would be grammatically correct.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "which are then" is to introduce a nonrestrictive relative clause, providing additional, non-essential information about a noun phrase. Ludwig AI confirms this use through its numerous examples, showing how the phrase adds detail to a preceding statement without altering its core meaning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

56%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "which are then" is a common and grammatically correct construction used to introduce nonrestrictive clauses that describe a sequence or consequence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is frequently found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic content. When using "which are then", ensure it follows a comma and introduces information that adds detail but isn't essential to the sentence's core meaning. Alternatives such as "that are subsequently" or "that are consequently" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey. However, it's essential to distinguish between 'which' and 'that' to maintain grammatical accuracy, especially regarding restrictive versus nonrestrictive clauses. The frequent presence of the phrase in authoritative sources such as "The Guardian", "The New York Times", and "The Economist" indicates its wide acceptance in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that are subsequently

Emphasizes the temporal succession of events.

that are subsequently

Indicates a later occurrence in a series of events.

that are consequently

Highlights the logical consequence of a preceding action or event.

that are afterwards

Focuses on the time that passes before the next event occurs.

and therefore

Expresses a logical conclusion based on prior information.

which thus

Similar to "which are then", but more concise.

and thus

Offers a concise way to show a cause-and-effect relationship.

that follow

Simple and direct way to describe sequential events.

that are so

Indicates a result or outcome directly linked to the previous event.

that are next

Simply indicates what comes directly after.

FAQs

How can I use "which are then" in a sentence?

The phrase "which are then" is used to show a sequence or a consequence of an action. For instance, "The data is collected, "which are then" analyzed by the team."

What are some alternatives to using "which are then"?

Some alternatives include "that are subsequently", "that are consequently", or "that follow" depending on the context.

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

The key difference lies in clause type. "Which are then" introduces nonrestrictive clauses (additional, non-essential information) and should be preceded by a comma. "That are then" introduces restrictive clauses (essential information). For example: "The reports, "which are then" reviewed, are sent to management" vs "The reports that are then reviewed are sent to management".

What kind of sentences typically use the phrase "which are then"?

Sentences using "which are then" often describe a process or series of steps, where one action directly results from a previous one. They commonly appear in scientific, technical, or formal writing.