which contained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'which contained' is correct and usable in written English.
It is commonly used when referring to a particular set of items or ideas that were previously mentioned. For example: "The book was filled with secrets, which contained information that was meant to be kept hidden from the public."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

701, and which contained a subsec.

Cornell University

Here, we gave a filename argument which contained the text.

Stanford University

Skip the baked clams, which contained more bread than seafood.

The New York Times

His briefcase, which contained classified material, was missing.

The New Yorker

They also snatched her purse, which contained $200.

The New York Times

pylori IgG than in serum, which contained specific antibodies.

Nature

NOSPs were a metastable materials which contained 50 at% oxygen.

Catalysis Today

Dense coatings which contained mainly Nickel phase could be achieved.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Tells about the Clock Room, which contained 2000 clocks.

The New Yorker

Victorian babies were quietened with Godfrey's Cordial, which contained opium.

The Economist

The Revised Event/Activity annotations were conducted on 24 concepts, which contained a temporal component.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which contained", verify that the sentence remains grammatically correct and clear if the "which contained" clause is removed. If removing the clause alters the core meaning, consider using "that contained" instead.

Common error

Avoid using "that contained" when "which contained" is more appropriate. "Which" introduces non-restrictive clauses that add extra information, whereas "that" introduces essential clauses. Using the wrong one can confuse readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which contained" functions as a relative clause, providing additional information about a preceding noun. As shown in Ludwig's examples, it modifies nouns by specifying their contents or characteristics. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Academia

31%

Science

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which contained" is a versatile relative clause used to provide non-essential details about a noun. As affirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and widely applicable across diverse writing styles. It is most prevalent in news, academic, and scientific contexts. When employing "which contained", ensure proper comma usage and distinguish it from "that contained" to maintain clarity. For variety, consider alternatives like "that included" or "comprising of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that included

Replaces "which contained" with a more direct phrasing, emphasizing inclusion.

that held

Substitutes "contained" with "held", suggesting physical holding or retention.

comprising of

Uses "comprising of" to indicate the elements that make up the whole.

consisting of

Emphasizes the components that constitute something.

that encompassed

Suggests a broader scope of inclusion compared to "contained".

incorporating

Focuses on the act of integrating or including elements.

that featured

Highlights specific aspects or characteristics that were present.

with

Simplifies the structure, focusing on a description that something possesses something else.

that possessed

Indicates ownership or presence of certain attributes.

that bore

Emphasizes carrying or displaying a particular quality or content.

FAQs

How to use "which contained" in a sentence?

Use "which contained" to add extra, non-essential information about a noun. For instance, "The box, "which contained" old letters, was found in the attic."

What's the difference between "which contained" and "that contained"?

"Which contained" introduces a non-restrictive clause, offering additional details. "That contained" introduces a restrictive clause, essential for defining the noun. For example, "The file "that contained" the evidence was crucial."

Can I replace "which contained" with a simpler phrase?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "that included", "comprising of", or "consisting of" depending on the context. These can make your writing more direct.

Is "which contained" formal or informal?

"Which contained" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure than the phrase itself.