which entail

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which entail" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something involves or requires certain actions, conditions, or consequences. Example: "The new policy changes, which entail additional training for all employees, will be implemented next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For example, Williamson points out that philosophical views which entail that there are no mountains are often thought, in virtue of such entailments, to be highly counterintuitive.

SEP

The new partnership should rest on three pillars, all of which entail concrete acts of cooperation.

The New York Times

Use of these cells is less controversial than use of embryonic stem cells, which entail the destruction of an embryo.

The New York Times

But thriving traditions (which entail a conjunction of art and business) depend upon a preponderance of crap.

The New Yorker

Many of those were Hannah Montana makeovers, which entail donning blond wigs, makeup and concert costumes like the ones the girls' idol wears.

The New York Times

Repeat offenders can also be issued "enforcement notices" under the same legislation, which entail the ICO requiring a business to take particular steps to prevent a re-occurrence.

The Guardian - Business

Chronic repeated plucking is now a common reason why women have eyebrow transplants, which entail using hair from the scalp, arms or pubic area.

The New York Times

But part of the problem may lie in existing cleanup procedures, which entail using machines that absorb groundwater and process it to remove TCE.

The New York Times

These days, any health club worth its sweat offers cycling classes, which entail adding resistance to recreate hills or a blast of wind.

The New York Times

As the shot hurtles toward him, Hartnell makes a series of decisions and calculations, none of which entail getting out of the way.

The New York Times - Sports

The old style of physical training, he said, was less relevant to soldiers' tasks, which entail lots of jumping, crouching and climbing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which entail" to clearly indicate that a specific action, condition, or result is a necessary consequence of something else. This helps establish a strong logical connection in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "which entail" in overly simple sentences where a more direct verb like "involve" or "require" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex and less accessible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which entail" functions as a non-restrictive relative clause, providing additional information about a noun or noun phrase. Ludwig's examples show it connecting actions or conditions to their necessary consequences. It describes characteristics or outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which entail" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a relative clause that specifies the necessary consequences or requirements of something. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, as evidenced by numerous examples from reputable sources. While the phrase is most common in science and news media, it's important to avoid overuse in simple sentences, opting for more direct verbs when appropriate. When considering alternatives, options such as "which involve" or "which require" can be used depending on the intended nuance. By understanding these nuances and usage contexts, you can effectively incorporate "which entail" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which involve

This alternative is more general and suggests inclusion rather than a necessary consequence.

which require

This suggests a necessity or condition that must be met.

which necessitate

This implies a stronger sense of inevitability or logical consequence.

which lead to

This indicates a cause-and-effect relationship.

which result in

This emphasizes the outcome or effect of a particular action or situation.

which imply

This suggests a logical deduction or inference that can be drawn.

which encompass

This denotes a wider scope of inclusion.

which presuppose

This indicates something assumed beforehand.

which demand

This suggests a firm requirement or expectation.

which give rise to

This highlights the causal origination of something.

FAQs

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

Use "which entail" to show that something necessarily involves or leads to a specific outcome. For example, "The new regulations, which entail a significant increase in paperwork, will affect all departments."

What are some alternatives to "which entail"?

You can use alternatives like "which involve", "which require", or "which imply" depending on the context.

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

While both "that" and "which" can introduce relative clauses, "which" is generally preferred when providing additional, non-essential information. If the clause is essential to the sentence's meaning, "that" might be more appropriate, but in most cases where "entail" is used, "which" is more suitable.

What's the difference between "which entail" and "which include"?

"Which include" suggests a list of items or components, whereas "which entail" indicates necessary consequences or implications. For example, a project might "include" several tasks, but it would "entail" certain risks or costs.