which caters to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which caters to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that serves or meets the needs of a particular group or audience. Example: "The new restaurant offers a menu that caters to vegan customers, ensuring they have plenty of delicious options."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Datek uses its Island E.C.N., which caters to active traders.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, H.P.'s services business, which caters to corporate clients, gained 2 percent, to $9 billion.

The New York Times - Tech

At Nordstrom, which caters to higher-end shoppers, same-store sales rose 6.5 percent.

The New York Times

Compellent also fits nicely into Dell's distribution model, which caters to small and midsize businesses.

The New York Times

H.P.'s services business, which caters to corporate clients, gained 2 percent, to $9 billion.

The New York Times - Tech

Knicks officials believe Milicic could thrive in D'Antoni's fluid offense, which caters to multiskilled big men.

The New York Times

There are different challenges for York Theatre Royal, which caters to an audience of all ages.

The Guardian

Tennis fans, however, appear infatuated with the "phenom" syndrome, which caters to players such as Becker.

The New York Times - Sports

It said Anglo Irish, which caters to small and medium-size businesses, wanted excessive management control.

The New York Times

Ms. Monello noted the homes proximity to Napas airport, which caters to private planes.

The New York Times

The Web site, which caters to 32- to 45-year-olds, began on Dec. 1.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which caters to", ensure that the noun or pronoun "which" refers to is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "The service, which caters to…", specify "The online service, which caters to…".

Common error

Avoid using "that" in place of "which" when the clause provides nonessential information. "Which" is appropriate when the clause adds extra detail but isn't crucial to the sentence's core meaning. For example, "The restaurant, which caters to vegans, is highly rated" (correct) vs. using "that" in the same context (less appropriate).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which caters to" functions as a relative clause, providing additional information about the noun it modifies. It specifies the target or focus of a service, product, or offering, as seen in Ludwig's examples of businesses catering to specific clientele.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Academia

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which caters to" functions as a relative clause that describes a service, product, or offering tailored to a specific audience. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse contexts, including news, science, and business. While "which caters to" is widely accepted and understood, alternative phrases like "that is tailored to" or "that is designed for" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. This phrase is best used when precision and clarity are needed, ensuring that the targeted group is explicitly identified.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is tailored to

Stresses customization and adaptation to fit specific requirements or preferences.

that targets

Suggests a direct and intentional effort to reach a specific audience or demographic.

that is geared towards

Highlights the intention and design being specifically oriented towards a certain group.

that is intended for

Focuses on the purpose and objective for which something is created or offered.

that is designed for

Emphasizes the creation of something with a particular purpose or audience in mind.

that is aimed at

Suggests a direct targeting of efforts or products towards a defined group.

that accommodates

Implies making adjustments and providing facilities to meet specific needs or requirements.

that attends to

Focuses more on the act of giving attention and care, implying a more personalized service.

that provides for

Highlights the action of supplying or making available what is needed or desired.

that serves

A simpler and more general way to express the action of providing for someone's needs.

FAQs

How can I use "which caters to" in a sentence?

Use "which caters to" to describe something that provides specific services or products tailored for a particular audience. For example, "The hotel, "which caters to" business travelers, offers high-speed internet and conference rooms."

What are some alternatives to "which caters to"?

Alternatives include "that serves", "that is designed for", or "that is tailored to", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "that caters to" instead of "which caters to"?

While both can be grammatically correct, "which caters to" is generally used when the clause is nonrestrictive, providing additional but nonessential information. "That caters to" is used for restrictive clauses that are essential to the sentence's meaning. Consider: "The product that caters to seniors is selling well" versus "The product, which caters to seniors, includes large buttons."

What's the difference between "which caters to" and "which serves"?

"Which caters to" implies a more specialized and intentional effort to meet the needs of a specific group. "Which serves" ("that serves") is a broader term, indicating a general provision of services or products without necessarily implying specialization or customization.