which describes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which describes" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used when introducing information or providing a detailed explanation about a specific subject or concept in a sentence. Example: The article provides a detailed analysis of the current economic situation, which describes the impact of various government policies on the country's GDP.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Which describes Lawrence's art, too.

The New York Times - Arts

Helles -- Hell means bright, which describes this pale beer best.

The New York Times - Travel

and an object tree which describes existing plot objects.

Harvard University

Which describes quite a lot of people, surely?

The Guardian - Music

Or modestly compelling, which describes much of what's here.

The New York Times - Arts

Occupy Democrats, which describes itself as a grassroots political organisation, was bottom of the table.

The Guardian

These teams are given a written "task paragraph" which describes the problem and the goal.

Harvard Business Review

Nilgai is the Hindustani word for "blue cow," which describes the blue-gray of adult bulls.

Britannica

That's especially true for pi, which describes a perfect circle that appears everywhere in nature.

The Washington Post

It has a text which describes in great detail, all the stages of the operation.

The New York Times

Ashleigh Property owns Hickman Properties Limited, which describes itself as a property investment and rental business.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which describes" to introduce non-essential information that adds detail to a noun or concept. Always precede it with a comma.

Common error

Avoid using "that" when "which" is required to introduce non-restrictive clauses. "That" is for essential information only.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which describes" functions as a relative clause introducer. It connects a non-restrictive (non-essential) clause to a noun or noun phrase, providing additional information. As Ludwig AI explains, this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

34%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which describes" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase for introducing non-essential clauses that provide additional details. As Ludwig AI confirms, its function is to offer extra clarification or information, and it maintains a neutral register across various writing styles. Predominantly featured in news, media, science, and academic contexts, this phrase proves to be a valuable tool for enhancing descriptive writing. Remember to use "which describes" (preceded by a comma) when adding non-essential information, and avoid substituting "that" in its place. For increased impact, experiment with related phrases like "that details" or "that explains".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that explains

Centers on providing a reason or justification for something.

which characterizes

Indicates the typical or distinctive features of something.

that defines

Focuses on setting forth the meaning of something.

that details

Focuses on providing specific information or particulars about something.

that specifies

Indicates that something is being precisely identified or defined.

that outlines

Highlights the act of providing a summary or a general overview.

that clarifies

Emphasizes the act of making something clearer or easier to understand.

that illustrates

Emphasizes the act of providing examples or visual representations.

that portrays

Focuses on depicting or representing something in a specific way.

that elucidates

Highlights the act of making something clear and comprehensible, often used in formal contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "which describes" in a sentence?

Use "which describes" to add extra information about a noun. For example, "The report, which describes the findings in detail, is available online."

What is a good alternative to "which describes"?

You can use alternatives like "that details", "that explains", or "that defines" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

While both "that" and "which" can introduce relative clauses, "which" is preferred for non-restrictive clauses, which provide additional but non-essential information. "That" is generally used for restrictive clauses, which are essential to the meaning of the sentence.

What's the difference between "which describes" and "which characterizes"?

"Which describes" generally offers a more comprehensive overview, while "which characterizes" highlights the defining features or qualities of something.