which is about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which is about" can be used in written English.
For example: I am writing a paper which is about the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The scallops are $14.99 a pound, which is about seven.

The New York Times - Food

And Sergio bogeys the last, which is about right.

The Guardian - Sport

So you've got a bunch of things which is about do no harm.

Cornell University

This gives us a time constant of 200 microseconds, which is about 160 microseconds.

Cornell University

Which is about right.

Vice

And he's also #darkhorse on Twitter, which is about right.

Huffington Post

Figure 3A shows the transfection efficiency, which is about 16% for both plasmids.

Aging

Then 2/9, which is about 20 cents.

WikiHow

Which is about 42".

The Guardian

Fashion is about glamour, which is about seduction, which is about intrigue, which is about suggestion.

The New York Times

Jemaine "Which is about six".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which is about", ensure that the clause clearly and concisely defines or describes the subject. Avoid ambiguity by placing the clause as close as possible to the noun it modifies.

Common error

Avoid using "which is about" when the subject of the clause is vague or unclear. Ensure that the "which" clearly refers to a specific noun in the preceding clause to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which is about" functions as a relative clause, introducing additional information or description about the noun it modifies. It provides context and specifies the subject or topic being discussed, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Academia

31%

Science

24%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which is about" is a versatile and commonly used relative clause that serves to provide additional information or description about a noun. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and appears frequently across various contexts, including news, academic, and scientific publications. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal writing. When using "which is about", ensure that the clause is clear and concise, and avoid ambiguity by placing it close to the noun it modifies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that concerns

Uses a different verb to indicate relevance or connection.

that relates to

Highlights a relationship or association with the topic.

that focuses on

Emphasizes a specific concentration or attention to the subject.

that pertains to

Emphasizes a direct relevance or connection to the subject.

that deals with

Focuses on the act of handling or addressing a particular subject.

that is centered on

Highlights the central theme or focus.

that encompasses

Suggests the subject includes or covers a broad range of elements.

that revolves around

Implies the subject is the main point or core.

that specifies

Highlights the act of clearly defining or identifying the subject.

that indicates

Emphasizes the pointing out or showing of the subject.

FAQs

How can I use "which is about" in a sentence?

Use "which is about" to add a descriptive clause that provides more information about a preceding noun. For instance, "I'm reading a book "which is about" the history of Rome" provides more details about the type of book.

What are some alternatives to using "which is about"?

Alternatives include "that concerns", "that relates to", or "that focuses on". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to use "which is about" or can I omit the clause?

The necessity of using "which is about" depends on whether the additional information is crucial for understanding the sentence. If the information is non-essential, it can sometimes be omitted without changing the core meaning.

What's the difference between "which is about" and "that is about"?

"Which is about" typically introduces a non-restrictive clause, providing additional but non-essential information. "That is about" introduces a restrictive clause, essential for defining the noun it modifies. For instance, "The movie that is about World War II is very long" implies there are multiple movies, and you are talking about a very specific one, whereas "The movie, "which is about" World War II, is very long" gives supplementary information.