which are thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which are thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a clause that provides additional information about a subject, often in contexts discussing beliefs, theories, or perceptions. Example: "The theories, which are thought to explain the phenomenon, have been widely debated among scientists."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The value of these treatments, which are thought to be immunomodulating, is poorly understood.

Chest

(Whiteflies, which are thought to spread the virus, have been known to stow aboard planes).

The New York Times - Science

Furthermore, we summarize the mechanisms underlying SIT with recombinant hypoallergens which are thought to be responsible for their therapeutic effect.

Vaccine

The group is comprised of two genera Stegolophodon and Stegodon which are thought to have evolved from gomphotheres.

University of California, Berkeley

Footling breeches, which are thought to be the most difficult, in our experience, they often just slid right out".

The New York Times - Magazine

The researchers also found genes that influence the production of flavonoids in cacao, which are thought to offer cardiovascular benefits.

The New York Times - Science

Late in this succession came the first terrestrial tetrapod vertebrates, which are thought to have inhabited freshwater streams and rivers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Crystallized abilities, which are thought to derive from fluid abilities, include vocabulary, general information, and knowledge about specific fields.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There are several mechanisms which are thought to be the basis for a positive BEFR.

Forest Ecosystems

Saurischians include the theropods, which are thought to be the ancestors of modern birds.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Scientists say the whales - which are thought to have died shortly after birth - are exceptionally rare.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which are thought" to introduce nonessential clauses that provide extra information about a subject. Ensure the clause is set off with commas.

Common error

Avoid using "that" instead of "which" when introducing a nonessential clause. "Which" is appropriate when the information is additional and not crucial for identifying the subject. For example, "The theories, "which are thought" to explain the phenomenon, have been widely debated" is correct, whereas "The theories that are thought to explain the phenomenon have been widely debated" implies these are the only theories under consideration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which are thought" functions as a relative clause, introducing additional, non-essential information about a noun or noun phrase. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is commonly used to provide context regarding beliefs, theories, or perceptions about the subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

27%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "which are thought" is a very common relative clause used to introduce nonessential information, typically concerning beliefs, theories, or perceptions. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically correct and frequently employed across various domains. Its purpose is to provide additional context, allowing writers and speakers to share common understandings related to the subject at hand. While it maintains a generally neutral to formal register, its prevalence in scientific and academic writing emphasizes its suitability for factual and objective communication. Remember to use commas to offset this clause and to differentiate it from restrictive clauses that use "that."

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that are believed

Replaces "thought" with "believed", emphasizing a conviction or acceptance as true.

that are considered

Substitutes "thought" with "considered", focusing on a more formal assessment or evaluation.

that are understood

Replaces "thought" with "understood", highlighting comprehension or knowledge.

that are supposed

Uses "supposed" instead of "thought", implying an assumption or expectation.

that are known

Replaces "thought" with "known", indicating established knowledge or fact.

that are perceived

Substitutes "thought" with "perceived", focusing on how something is sensed or viewed.

that are imagined

Replaces "thought" with "imagined", indicating a creation of the mind or fantasy.

that are envisioned

Uses "envisioned" instead of "thought", implying a mental image or future possibility.

that are indicated

Replaces "thought" with "indicated", focusing on evidence or signs pointing to something.

that are expected

Substitutes "thought" with "expected", highlighting anticipation or likelihood.

FAQs

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

"Which are thought" is used to introduce a non-defining relative clause, providing additional information about the noun it modifies. Example: "Theories, "which are thought" to be correct, still require further testing."

What are some alternatives to "which are thought"?

You can use alternatives like "that are believed", "that are considered", or "that are understood" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "which are thought" and "that are thought"?

"Which are thought" introduces a non-restrictive clause (additional, non-essential information), while "that are thought" introduces a restrictive clause (essential information). The choice depends on whether the information is crucial to identifying the noun being modified. Always use commas with "which".

Is it more formal to use "which are thought" or "that are believed"?

Both ""which are thought"" and "that are believed" are relatively neutral in formality. The choice often depends on the specific context and the desired nuance, with "which are thought" sometimes implying a slightly more tentative or speculative view.