which can affect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which can affect" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a dependent clause that describes a particular aspect or effect of something. Here is an example: "The new policy, which can affect all employees, has caused some concern among the staff." In this sentence, "which can affect all employees" provides additional information about the policy and its potential impact on a certain group of people.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The researchers excluded children with learning disabilities and sleep problems, which can affect cognitive skills.

The New York Times - Health

There is no cure for this autoimmune disease, which can affect the skin, blood and joints.

The New York Times - Arts

Each meta-search site configures its technology and accesses fares slightly differently, which can affect results.

The New York Times - Travel

They are also complicated to understand, which can affect take-up.

The Economist

Be warned: mobile phone and satellite service is sketchy, which can affect even the best GPS car system.

The Guardian - Travel

"You do your best to enact policies, which can affect behavior if not what is in people's hearts.

The New York Times

"But there are all sorts of other factors which can affect numbers, especially the situation in places like Syria.

The Guardian

"We are trying to address food security, which can affect the growth and health of our people.

The Guardian

which can affect the efficiency of computation off-loading.

Complex Adaptive Systems Modeling

And 14% of us suffer from osteoarthritis, which can affect the ankles and knees.

BBC

It's also continuously changing the product, which can affect short-term revenues.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which can affect", ensure the clause is nonrestrictive and set off by commas. This clarifies that the information is additional and not essential to the sentence's meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "that" instead of "which" when introducing a nonrestrictive clause. "That" is typically used for restrictive clauses that are essential to the sentence's meaning, while "which" introduces additional, nonessential information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which can affect" primarily functions as a relative clause, specifically a nonrestrictive (or nonessential) clause. It introduces additional information about a noun or noun phrase without being crucial to the sentence's core meaning. Ludwig's examples showcase its role in providing supplementary details.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which can affect" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to introduce nonrestrictive clauses that elaborate on potential influences or consequences. According to Ludwig, it serves to add extra information. It's common across various domains, particularly in news, science, and general informational contexts. When using this phrase, remember to enclose it with commas to signal its nonessential nature. Alternatives like "that may influence" or "that could impact" can be used to provide subtle variations in meaning, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that may influence

Replaces "can affect" with "may influence", suggesting a potential impact rather than a definite one.

that has an effect on

Substitutes "which can affect" with a more descriptive phrase, emphasizing the presence of an influence.

that could impact

Uses "impact" instead of "affect", implying a potentially significant influence.

with the potential to alter

Replaces "which can affect" with a phrase highlighting the potential for change.

that might modify

Offers a more subtle way of indicating change or influence.

that is liable to influence

Indicates a tendency or likelihood of influencing something.

which may determine

Shifts the focus to a more decisive influence, suggesting that it might dictate an outcome.

that has consequences for

Emphasizes the results or outcomes of an influence.

that contributes to

Highlights the role of something in causing or bringing about an effect.

which is relevant to

Indicates that something has a bearing on or connection to a particular matter.

FAQs

How do I use "which can affect" in a sentence?

Use "which can affect" to add extra information about something. For example, "The new policy, "which can affect" all employees, will be implemented next month."

Is "which can affect" formal or informal?

The phrase "which can affect" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the writing.

What are some alternatives to "which can affect"?

You can use alternatives such as "that may influence", "that could impact", or "that has an effect on" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "which can affect" and "that can affect"?

"Which can affect" introduces a nonrestrictive clause, adding extra information, while "that can affect" introduces a restrictive clause, essential for defining the subject. For example, "The policies "that can affect" employee morale will be reviewed" (essential) versus "The new policy, "which can affect" all employees, will be implemented next month" (extra information).