which informs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which informs" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something provides information or knowledge about a subject. Example: "The research paper presents new findings, which informs our understanding of climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Statistical agencies provide accurate, timely, and credible information, which informs current and future policies.

International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences

This information is returned to each CH, which informs the center nodes of their time slot.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

It is the unpredictability of Lagos which informs my work.

The Guardian

There's a wider use, too, which informs future work: do particular combinations achieve a better return?

The Guardian

Tavi has also gotten into feminism, which informs her second post, on the subject of "girl-hate".

The New Yorker

Another touches on Goya's savage political vision, which informs Manet's harrowing "The Execution of Emperor Maximilian" (1867).

The New Yorker

His mother's motto, which informs Carson's conservatism, was: "If you don't succeed, you have only yourself to blame".

The New Yorker

Miranda's father, Luis Miranda, Jr., is a long-established Democratic political operative, which informs the way the show gleefully depicts the hypocrisies of political campaigning.

The New Yorker

The site also provides a courtesy card for travelers whose seat is being blocked, which informs the person in front that reclining would compromise your knees.

The New York Times - Travel

But it is, and knowing this is one of the insights that followed my years of caregiving, which informs all the work I do here.

The New York Times

The chorus alternates with spoken narrative, which informs us that his first victim is the friend with whom she was unfaithful.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which informs", ensure that the noun it modifies is clearly defined and directly related to the information being provided. This maintains clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

A common error is using "that" instead of "which" when introducing a nonrestrictive clause. Remember, "which" introduces nonessential information, set off by commas. Avoid using "that" when the clause provides additional, non-essential context. For example, "The study, which informs our understanding of the topic, was groundbreaking."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "which informs" is to introduce a nonrestrictive (or nonessential) relative clause. As shown by Ludwig, this clause adds extra information about the noun it modifies without being crucial to the sentence's core meaning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which informs" is a grammatically sound and frequently used relative clause. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. It functions to provide additional, nonessential information, enhancing understanding and context. While its register varies from neutral to formal, depending on the source, it's commonly found in scientific, news, and business writing. Remember to use "which" with nonrestrictive clauses, setting them off with commas, to avoid grammatical errors and ensure clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that provides insight

This phrase focuses on giving a deeper understanding of a topic.

that clarifies

This alternative focuses on making something clearer or easier to understand.

that sheds light on

This alternative means to reveal or clarify something, often something previously obscure.

that elucidates

This alternative emphasizes the act of making something plain or clear; it's more formal.

that gives context to

This alternative focuses on providing the necessary background information.

that shapes

This alternative highlights the influence or impact on the form or development of something.

that influences

This option emphasizes the power to have an effect on something's character or behavior.

that contributes to

This option highlights the act of adding to or playing a part in something.

that is instrumental in

This alternative emphasizes the crucial role something plays in achieving a particular outcome.

that sets the tone for

This option focuses on establishing a particular mood or character for something.

FAQs

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

Use "which informs" to introduce a nonrestrictive clause that provides additional information about the noun it modifies. Example: "The data, "which informs" our strategy, was gathered from multiple sources."

What can I say instead of "which informs"?

You can use alternatives like "that clarifies", "that provides insight", or "that influences" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "which informs" at the beginning of a sentence?

No, "which informs" is a relative clause and should not start a sentence. It should always follow the noun it modifies within the sentence.

What's the difference between "which informs" and "that informs"?

"Which informs" introduces a nonrestrictive clause providing additional, nonessential information, while "that informs" would introduce a restrictive clause that is essential to the sentence's meaning. "Which" clauses are set off by commas, while "that" clauses are not.