which generated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which generated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that caused or produced a particular result or outcome. Example: "The research study, which generated significant findings, has been published in a leading journal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But he could surprise and rile Lampley, which generated sparks during the HBO telecasts.

The New York Times - Sports

For decades Kodak had a virtual monopoly on color film, which generated huge profits.

The New York Times

The only bright spot was its advisory business, which generated fee revenue of $107 million.

The New York Times

He was forced to apologise for that statement, which generated more than 21,000 complaints.

The Guardian

One good idea was the International Award for Valor in Sport, which generated lots of publicity.

The New York Times

Activists highlighted the deaths with public demonstrations, which generated even more coverage.

The New York Times

There was no comparable game in 2001, only a noon broadcast, which generated a 14.5.

The New York Times - Sports

At one time book parties created a buzz, which generated sales.

The New York Times - Books

It also did substantial investment banking work for Enron, which generated fees for the firm.

The New York Times

He made the putt, which generated the traditional Nicklaus roar from the crowd.

The New York Times - Sports

Washington, which generated more than $5 billion in revenues last year, plans to continue seeking new projects.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which generated", ensure the clause adds nonessential information. If the information is crucial to the sentence's meaning, consider using "that generated" instead.

Common error

A common mistake is using "which generated" in restrictive clauses (clauses essential to the sentence's meaning). In such cases, "that generated" is more appropriate. Remember: "which" introduces non-essential information, while "that" introduces essential information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which generated" functions as a relative clause, providing additional, non-essential information about the noun it modifies. It indicates that the noun in question was the source or cause of something. As Ludwig AI shows, it's a common way to add detail.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which generated" is a frequently used relative clause that adds non-essential information by specifying what something produced or caused. It maintains a neutral register and is suitable for diverse writing contexts, as supported by Ludwig's examples. Remember to use "which" for nonrestrictive clauses and "that" for restrictive clauses to maintain grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that produced

Emphasizes the act of production or creation, offering a direct synonym for 'generated'.

that created

Focuses on the creation aspect, suitable when the outcome is a novel entity or result.

that caused

Highlights the direct causal relationship between the subject and the outcome.

resulting in

Shifts the focus to the outcome as a direct consequence of the preceding action or event.

giving rise to

Implies a more gradual or developmental process leading to the outcome.

that sparked

Suggests a sudden or initial generation, often implying a catalyst effect.

that brought about

Highlights the act of actively causing or instigating the outcome.

that yielded

Emphasizes the result as a product of a process, often used in scientific or business contexts.

that fostered

Implies a nurturing or supportive role in the generation of the outcome.

that contributed to

Suggests a partial or contributing role in the creation of the outcome.

FAQs

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

Use "which generated" to introduce a nonessential clause that provides additional information about a noun. For example: "The project, "which generated" significant revenue, was a success."

What can I say instead of "which generated"?

You can use alternatives like "that produced", "that created", or "resulting in" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, but the choice depends on whether the clause is restrictive (essential) or nonrestrictive (nonessential). Use "that generated" for restrictive clauses and "which generated" for nonrestrictive clauses. For example, "The software that generated the report is outdated" (essential) vs. "The software, "which generated" the report, is being upgraded" (nonessential).

What's the difference between "which generated" and "that led to"?

"Which generated" implies a direct output or result, while "that led to" suggests a sequential cause-and-effect relationship. The former is about production, and the latter is about causation. For example: "The experiment, "which generated" data, was carefully controlled" vs. "The experiment that led to new discoveries was groundbreaking."