which are written

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which are written" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to items or documents that have been documented or recorded in written form. Example: "The guidelines, which are written in the manual, must be followed closely to ensure compliance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We cannot control lies which are written," he said.

Independent

The ark contains one or more scrolls, on which are written the Five Books of Moses.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Or stumbling upon Dirty Poet's "publications," all of which are written on lampposts around town.

The New Yorker

Station attendants flick tabs to change the digits, which are written on hard black rubber spools.

The New York Times

Nazım Hikmet is also known for his plays, which are written in vigorous prose and are also mainly Marxist inspired.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Unlike the other posts, which are written as media releases, the two reviews are written in the first person.

The Guardian - Opinion

International standards, which are written by the London-based International Accounting Standards Board, have been adopted by many countries.

The New York Times

Azerbaijan remains a poor country and its schools depend on old Soviet-era textbooks, which are written in Cyrillic.

The New York Times

Following the recipes, which are written for professionals, is not easy because the ingredients are listed in charts.

The New York Times

And the Lupe Solano books, which are written in English, have been translated into 10 languages, including Italian and Japanese.

The New York Times - Style

In Tamil the epics Chilappatikaram and Jivikachintamani, which are written from a Jain perspective, are important works of early postclassical Tamil literature.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which are written", ensure the 'which' clause refers to a non-restrictive clause, adding extra information that isn't essential to the sentence's meaning. If the information is essential, use 'that are written' instead.

Common error

Avoid using "which are written" in restrictive clauses, where the information is essential for identifying the noun. In such cases, "that are written" is more appropriate. For example, instead of "The books, which are written in English, are popular", use "The books that are written in English are popular" if only the English books are popular.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which are written" typically functions as a non-restrictive relative clause, providing additional, non-essential information about a noun. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. This clause modifies a noun and adds extra detail without being crucial to the sentence's core meaning, as demonstrated by examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which are written" is a grammatically correct and very common non-restrictive relative clause used to provide additional details about something in written form. Ludwig confirms its usability and validity. It appears frequently in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Scientific content. When using this phrase, ensure that it introduces a non-essential clause. Alternatives include "that are written" for restrictive clauses or variations like "which have been composed" for more formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that are written

The word 'that' is used instead of 'which' as a relative pronoun. This is a restrictive relative clause providing essential information about the noun it modifies.

that have been written

Emphasizes the completion of the writing action using the present perfect tense, adding a sense of finality or completion.

that were written

Changes the tense to past, indicating the writing occurred at a specific time in the past.

which have been composed

Replaces 'written' with 'composed', often used for more formal or artistic contexts like music or literature.

which are documented

Focuses on the act of documentation rather than writing, implying an official or formal record.

which are recorded

Similar to 'documented', but can apply to a broader range of media beyond just written text.

which are drafted

Implies a preliminary or initial writing, often used in legal or planning contexts.

that are inscribed

Suggests writing that is engraved or carved onto a surface, adding a sense of permanence.

that are transcribed

Implies the act of copying or converting spoken words into written form.

which are authored

Focuses on the creator or author of the written content.

FAQs

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

Use "which are written" to introduce a non-restrictive clause that provides additional, non-essential information about a noun. For instance, "The reports, "which are written" in detail, provide a comprehensive overview of the project."

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

"Which are written" introduces non-restrictive clauses (additional, non-essential information), while "that are written" introduces restrictive clauses (essential information). For example, "The poems that are written by her are inspiring" (essential) vs. "The poems, "which are written" in free verse, are often complex" (non-essential).

Can I use "which are written" at the beginning of a sentence?

No, "which are written" cannot start a sentence. It is a relative clause and must follow the noun it modifies. You can rephrase the sentence to place it correctly, such as "The instructions, "which are written" clearly, are easy to follow."

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "that are written", "that were written", or "which have been composed" to convey a similar meaning.