which form part of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which form part of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is included within a larger whole or is a component of a particular group. Example: "The documents you submitted are part of the reports which form part of the annual review."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Patterns of thought and activity which form part of a single whole are split into topics.

The Guardian - Books

"We do not comment on leaked documents, which form part of these important discussions".

The Guardian

Its search methods, which form part of a secret algorithm, have become far more elaborate.

The Economist

Philips meanwhile uses suppliers' CDP disclosure scores in their supplier sustainability ratings, which form part of their procurement assessments.

The Guardian

Many bacteria that cause infections are surrounded by two distinct membranes, which form part of their protective cell wall.

Nature

Major islands include Hecla, Deer, and Black, which form part of Hecla Provincial Park (333 square miles [862 square km]).

Britannica

The two pieces, which form part of Hirst's 'spot paintings', are painted with mutli-coloured dots on a white background.

Independent

The technique works by stimulating microglial cells, which form part of the brain's immune system, to engulf and absorb the plaques.

The Guardian

As will the staff and interested parents at the 12 schools, and counting, which form part of Mike Dwan's education empire.

The Guardian

Google has rebutted the anticompetitive claims, which form part of the growing unease over the dominant position of US technology firms within Europe.

The Guardian - Tech

All three TV ads, which form part of Mars's "look on the lighter side" campaign, will be broadcast during the opening ceremony of the Rio Paralympics on Wednesday.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which form part of", ensure that the noun phrase following "which" clearly refers to a specific, identifiable group or collection. This helps maintain clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

A common mistake is using singular verbs when the noun that "which" refers to is plural. For example, avoid "the elements which forms part of the system" and use "the elements which form part of the system" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which form part of" functions as a relative clause, specifically a nonrestrictive (or non-defining) relative clause. It provides additional information about a noun phrase without being essential to its identification. As Ludwig AI indicates, this is a correct usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which form part of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that introduces a nonrestrictive relative clause. It serves to provide additional information about the components or constituents of a larger entity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is valid. The phrase is commonly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When employing this phrase, ensure clear pronoun agreement and consider alternative phrasings like "which are included in" or "that constitute a portion of" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that constitute a portion of

Replaces "form part of" with "constitute a portion of", focusing on the idea of composing a fraction of the whole.

that are components of

Substitutes "form part of" with "are components of", highlighting the role as individual elements.

that are included within

Uses "are included within" instead of "form part of", emphasizing containment within a larger entity.

that make up a segment of

Replaces "form part of" with "make up a segment of", focusing on being a division or section.

that belong to the set of

Changes to "belong to the set of", stressing group membership and inclusion in the collection.

that are comprised within

Uses "are comprised within" instead of "form part of", emphasizing the composition aspect.

that are integrated into

Replaces "form part of" with "are integrated into", highlighting the integration process into a system.

that contribute to the whole of

Uses "contribute to the whole of" in place of "form part of", focusing on contributing to the entirety.

that are elements in

Changes to "are elements in", underscoring the elemental nature within a structure or framework.

that are members of

Replaces "form part of" with "are members of", stressing affiliation and belonging.

FAQs

How can I use "which form part of" in a sentence?

Use "which form part of" to describe elements that are included within a larger group or structure. For example: "The islands, "which form part of" the archipelago, are known for their unique biodiversity."

What are some alternatives to "which form part of"?

Alternatives include phrases like "which are included in", "which are components of", or "which constitute a portion of", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "that form part of" instead of "which form part of"?

While both "which" and "that" can introduce relative clauses, "which" is typically used for non-restrictive clauses that add extra information, while "that" is used for restrictive clauses essential to the sentence's meaning. Using "that" is more common when defining the group, but "which" can work if the group is already clearly defined.

What's the difference between "which form part of" and "which are a part of"?

"Which form part of" implies that the items are integral or structural components. "Which are a part of" is a more general statement of inclusion. The better choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the structural significance of the included items.