which is characterised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which is characterised" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a specific quality or feature of something in a formal context. Example: "The painting, which is characterised by vibrant colors and dynamic brush strokes, captures the essence of the artist's style."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As a result, they developed narcolepsy, which is characterised by overwhelming daytime sleepiness.

The Guardian

I have Burning Mouth Syndrome, which is characterised by occurring almost invariably in a healthy mouth.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He also suffered from sleep apnea, which is characterised by blockage of the airways.

The Guardian - Music

She turned to a phenomenon called fibromyalgia, which is characterised by widespread pain across the body.

The Economist

Las Vegas has become the symbol of "new" unionism, which is characterised by a missionary approach to recruitment.

The Economist

But the artists and schizophrenics scored very differently on another measure called introvertive anhedonia, which is characterised by social withdrawal and emotional emptiness.

The Guardian

About one in 20 boys in the UK are diagnosed with ADHD, which is characterised by behaviour including hyperactivity and being easily distracted.

The Times

Treating anorexia, which is characterised by self-starvation and an inability to maintain an adequate body weight, seems absurdly simple on the surface: just eat and gain weight.

The Guardian

The third risk is that statins can definitely cause a condition called myopathy which is characterised by muscle pain and evidence of muscle damage on blood tests.

The Guardian - Opinion

Most of Iran's territory is classified as arid and semi-arid, about half of which is characterised by rangeland, barren land and mountains.

The Guardian

At least 229 Brazilians have died in 2015 due to the disease, which is characterised by flu-like symptoms, fever and vomiting.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which is characterised" to introduce a defining feature or attribute of a subject, ensuring clarity and precision in your description.

Common error

Avoid using "which is characterised" in casual or informal writing. Opt for simpler, more direct alternatives like "known for" or "features" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "which is characterised" is to introduce a non-restrictive relative clause that provides additional information about a noun phrase. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples where it describes key attributes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which is characterised" is a grammatically correct and widely used relative clause that serves to describe or define the attributes of a noun. As verified by Ludwig, it is particularly common in scientific and news-related contexts, with a formal register. While versatile, it's best to avoid it in informal settings, opting for simpler alternatives like "defined by" or "known for". Remember to use this phrase to add precise, descriptive details to enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is characterized by

Replaces "which is" with "that is", providing a slightly more formal tone.

that features

Uses a more concise verb to indicate the presence of specific attributes.

distinguished by

Highlights the unique aspects that set something apart.

marked by

Emphasizes the presence of notable or distinct features.

defined by

Focuses on the essential qualities that determine the nature of something.

identified by

Highlights the attributes used to recognize or classify something.

known for

Indicates the widely recognized attributes or qualities.

that exhibits

Uses a more formal verb to describe the display of specific traits.

that presents

Suggests the showcasing of certain attributes or qualities.

with features including

Expands the phrase to explicitly list the defining characteristics.

FAQs

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

Use "which is characterised" to add descriptive information about a noun phrase. For example, "Alzheimer's disease (AD), "which is characterised" by a progressive cognitive decline, affects millions worldwide".

What are some alternatives to "which is characterised"?

You can use alternatives like "defined by", "marked by", or "known for" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "that is characterised" instead of "which is characterised"?

Yes, "that is characterised" is also correct and can be used, especially in more formal writing. Both phrases serve the same function of providing additional description or defining a characteristic.

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

"Which is characterised" is typically used in nonrestrictive clauses, adding extra information that is not essential to the sentence's meaning. "That is characterised" is more common in restrictive clauses, where the information is essential to defining the noun. However, in practice, they are often used interchangeably.