which entails

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which entails" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to explain that an action or decision involves certain expected or implied consequences. For example, "Switching to a new job which entails a long commute will significantly reduce my free time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Which entails some risk.

The New York Times

That again demands infrastructure, which entails capital investment.

The Guardian

They are finding themselves, which entails losing us and Grafton.

The New York Times - Travel

The first is the prevalent scrapping process, which entails shredding.

Journal of Cleaner Production

She said that the "common enemy" is very cheap coal which entails much higher carbon emissions.

The Guardian

For some years now she has been a practising Buddhist, which entails daily meditation and study.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The company makes steel from scratch, which entails high fuel and environmental costs.

The New York Times

Even more poignantly, she has entered the preteen years, which entails a loss of childhood.

The New York Times

I plan to become an academic, which entails a great deal of the art of persuasion.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The SPD preaches "solidarity", which entails strong worker protection, minimum wages and robust social welfare.

The Economist

Parm gets its sandwiches right, even its club sandwich, which entails a higher degree of difficulty.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which entails" to clearly indicate a direct consequence or necessary element of a preceding action or decision, ensuring the connection is logical and understandable to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "which entails" in simple sentences where a more direct word like 'involves' or 'requires' would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which entails" functions as a relative clause introducing a consequence, condition, or necessary component of a preceding noun or clause. As Ludwig AI shows, it often connects actions with their implications.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

38%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which entails" is a versatile phrase used to specify consequences or necessary conditions, predominantly in formal contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse fields such as science, news, and academia. While alternatives like "which involves" or "which requires" exist, "which entails" maintains a distinct emphasis on direct consequence. When using this phrase, ensure that the relationship between the antecedent and the clause it introduces is clear and logical, and avoid overuse in contexts where simpler alternatives would be more appropriate. The high frequency and authoritative sources using this phrase underscore its value in formal English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which involves

Replaces 'entails' with 'involves', suggesting inclusion rather than strict necessity.

which requires

Substitutes 'entails' with 'requires', emphasizing necessity or obligation.

which necessitates

Uses 'necessitates' instead of 'entails', indicating a condition that makes something unavoidable.

which implies

Replaces 'entails' with 'implies', focusing on logical consequence or suggestion.

which leads to

Changes the structure to a causal one, highlighting the result of an action.

which results in

Similar to 'leads to', but emphasizes the final outcome or consequence.

which encompasses

Uses 'encompasses' to show inclusion of something within a broader scope.

which constitutes

Replaces 'entails' with 'constitutes', indicating composition or formation of something.

that includes

Offers a simpler alternative focusing on the inclusion of elements.

that demands

Substitutes with 'demands', underscoring a stringent requirement or expectation.

FAQs

How do I use "which entails" in a sentence?

Use "which entails" to connect a clause that specifies the consequences or necessary conditions of something previously mentioned. For example, "The project requires significant investment, "which entails" careful financial planning".

What can I say instead of "which entails"?

You can use alternatives like "which involves", "which requires", or "which implies" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "which entails" formal or informal?

"Which entails" is generally considered a formal phrase suitable for academic writing, business communications, and journalistic contexts. It's less common in informal conversation.

What's the difference between "which entails" and "which includes"?

"Which entails" indicates a necessary consequence or condition, while "which includes" simply means that something is part of a larger whole. For example, "The training program, "which entails" a practical exam, tests the skills of the participants" versus "The training program, "which includes" lectures and workshops, covers various topics".