which helps

USAGE SUMMARY

"which helps" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used to introduce a phrase that explains or supports another phrase that came before it. For example: "Our team has developed a new method, which helps to reduce waste."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Division which helps the Chinese.

The Economist

The team has played well, which helps.

The New York Times - Sports

It is non-partisan, which helps.

The Economist

Looks kind of menacing too, which helps.

The Guardian

I meditate a lot, which helps.

The Guardian

The room is good, which helps.

The Guardian

"There's a shorthand there, which helps.

The Guardian - Film

"I own a rhyming dictionary, which helps".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Which helps explain several seemingly strange happenings.

The New York Times

Plus the girls like it, which helps.

The Guardian - Music

Which helps explain events like Saturday's.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which helps" to smoothly introduce a clarifying detail or a reason why something is effective. Place it after the element it's describing for clear connection.

Common error

Avoid replacing "which helps" with "that helps" in nonrestrictive clauses. "Which" introduces nonessential information set off by commas, whereas "that" introduces essential information without commas.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which helps" functions as a nonrestrictive relative clause, providing additional, non-essential information about the preceding noun or clause. According to Ludwig, it is commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "which helps" serves as a versatile tool in English writing, functioning as a nonrestrictive relative clause to provide additional information about the preceding element. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, "which helps" offers a neutral tone suitable for various registers. It’s important to differentiate its use from "that helps", especially in restrictive versus nonrestrictive clauses. In summary, "which helps" is a handy way to add clarifying details or explain the positive impact of something, enhancing readability and comprehension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that benefits

Focuses on the positive impact or advantage provided.

that aids

Similar to "that assists", offering a slightly more concise alternative.

that assists

Replaces "which helps" with a more formal and direct expression of assistance.

that enables

Emphasizes the capacity of something to make an action or process possible.

that supports

Highlights the supportive nature of something, providing backing or assistance.

that contributes

Emphasizes the contribution something makes to a particular outcome.

that is advantageous

A more descriptive way of saying something provides an advantage.

that promotes

Focuses on the role of encouraging or furthering a specific outcome.

that facilitates

Highlights the role of making something easier or smoother.

that is conducive to

Indicates that something creates favorable conditions for a particular result.

FAQs

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

Use "which helps" to add extra information that clarifies or explains the preceding clause, for example: "The new software includes a tutorial, "which helps" beginners get started quickly".

What are some alternatives to "which helps"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "that aids", "that assists", or "that benefits".

Is it better to use "which helps" or "that helps"?

"Which helps" is used in nonrestrictive clauses, adding extra non-essential information and is set off by commas. "That helps" is used in restrictive clauses defining essential information and does not use commas. Choose based on whether the information is essential to the sentence's meaning.

Can "which helps" start a sentence?

No, "which helps" cannot start a sentence. It is a relative clause that refers back to a previous clause or statement. Instead, start with the main idea and use "which helps" to add more detail.