which described

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which described" is correct and usable in written English.
You would typically use "which described" when referring back to something that has been previously mentioned in the text. For example: She wrote a detailed story about her childhood, which described her small town upbringing.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Crosby said the report, which described his misjudgments as "toxic", made for "very chastening reading".

The Guardian - Business

Her view was immediately condemned by the Refugee Council, which described the proposals as "thoroughly chilling".

The Guardian

DaSilva had maintained a business Web site, which described itself as a "provider of creative technology-enabled business solutions".

The New York Times - Sports

The student is accused of taking documents, which described the technology to control access to DirecTV, and releasing them.

The New York Times

The inspiration for the name came from an article on Bill Gates, which described him as "the guru of technology".

The New York Times

Writer picked up some festival literature which described "Devil's Angels" and 17 other movies which were to be screened.

The New Yorker

The new measure angered NFU Scotland, which described the decision as naive and taken without an adequate debate.

The Guardian

Cole," which described the 2000 attack that killed 17 sailors on the ship in the Yemeni port of Aden.

The New York Times

It was all chronicled in the 24-year-old's Instagram post, which described the incident in detail.

The Guardian - Sport

That contradicts Pannu's internal emails, and the purported authorisation from Yeung, which described Pannu as "acting chairman" in June 2010.

The Guardian - Sport

Henry flourished the most recent issue of the Economist, which described Iran as "the fist that most threatens the world".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which described" to add non-essential, descriptive information about a previously mentioned noun or subject. Make sure the clause is set off with commas.

Common error

Avoid using "that described" when "which described" is appropriate. "Which" introduces non-restrictive clauses (adds extra information), while "that" introduces restrictive clauses (essential information). If the description is essential to identify the noun, use "that"; otherwise, use "which".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which described" functions as a relative clause, providing additional, non-essential information about a noun that precedes it. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is used to add descriptive details, enhancing understanding without being crucial to the sentence's core meaning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which described" is a commonly used relative clause that adds non-essential descriptive information to a noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely applicable across various writing styles. It is important to use "which" to introduce non-restrictive clauses, setting them off with commas. While alternatives like "that depicted" or "which outlined" exist, the best choice depends on the specific nuance you aim to convey. Analysis of usage patterns shows it is frequently found in the news and media and scientific writings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that depicted

Replaces "described" with "depicted", focusing on a visual or representative portrayal rather than a verbal account.

that characterized

Uses "characterized" instead of "described", emphasizing the identification of key traits or features.

which portrayed

Uses "portrayed" instead of "described", suggesting a representation or depiction of something.

which outlined

Replaces "described" with "outlined", suggesting a summary or highlighting of main points.

that detailed

Uses "detailed" instead of "described", emphasizing thoroughness and precision.

that defined

Replaces "described" with "defined", emphasizing a clear and precise explanation of meaning or scope.

which illustrated

Replaces "described" with "illustrated", focusing on providing examples or visual aids to clarify.

that specified

Replaces "described" with "specified", focusing on precise and explicit information.

that explained

Uses "explained" instead of "described", focusing on making something understandable or clear.

that recounted

Uses "recounted" instead of "described", suggesting a narrative or storytelling aspect.

FAQs

How to use "which described" in a sentence?

Use "which described" to introduce a non-restrictive clause that adds extra information about a noun. For example, "The book, which described the author's journey, became a bestseller."

What can I say instead of "which described"?

You can use alternatives like "that depicted", "which outlined", or "that characterized" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "that described" instead of "which described"?

While sometimes interchangeable, "which described" is generally used for non-restrictive clauses (providing additional, non-essential information), whereas "that described" is more appropriate for restrictive clauses (essential information). Consider whether the description is crucial for identifying the noun in question.

What's the difference between "which described" and "which defined"?

"Which described" offers a general account or portrayal, while "which defined" provides a precise explanation of meaning or scope. The choice depends on whether you're giving a broad description or a specific definition.