which is part of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which is part of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that something is only a part of something larger. For example: "I am reading a book on ancient history, which is part of my coursework for this semester."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Which is part of their seduction.

The New York Times

Which is part of the point.

The New York Times - Books

Which is part of the story too".

The New Yorker

Which is part of the fun.

The New York Times - Sports

Which is part of the problem.

The Guardian - Sport

Standard & Poor's Industry Surveys which is part of NetAdvantage.

Princeton University

The Rusk Institute, which is part of the sprawling N.Y.U.

The New York Times - Magazine

Which is part of the originality of The History Boys.

The Guardian

Which is part of why I did it so wrong.

The New York Times - Magazine

Which is part of why politicians like to cut it.

The Washington Post

Which is part of how it gets to be chronic.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which is part of", ensure that the clause is nonrestrictive and adds extra information; use commas to set it off from the main clause. Omitting the comma can change the meaning of the sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "that" instead of "which" when the clause is nonrestrictive. A nonrestrictive clause provides additional information and is set off by commas, while a restrictive clause is essential to the sentence's meaning and uses "that" without commas. For example, "The museum, which is part of the historical society, is hosting an exhibit" is correct; using "that" here would be grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which is part of" functions as a relative clause, providing additional, non-essential information about a noun or noun phrase. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it clarifies the composition or affiliation of a subject within a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

42%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which is part of" is a versatile relative clause used to provide additional context or detail about a subject. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently employed across various writing styles, most notably in News & Media and Academia. When employing this phrase, ensure that you are using it to introduce nonrestrictive information and that you set off the clause with commas. By following these simple guidelines, you can use the phrase effectively and accurately in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which constitutes a portion of

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the contribution to the whole.

which comprises some of

This alternative is slightly more formal and highlights the composition of the larger entity.

that forms a component of

This is a more technical phrasing, suitable for describing systems or structures.

which makes up a piece of

This alternative uses more informal language.

that represents a fraction of

This version focuses on the numerical aspect of being a part.

an element of which is

This is a more roundabout and formal way of expressing the relationship.

a portion of which consists of

This option emphasizes the composition of the part itself.

that is encompassed within

This suggests a broader inclusion than simply being a part.

integral to

Focuses on the necessity of the part to the whole.

attributed to

This expresses belonging, not just being a physical part.

FAQs

How do I use "which is part of" in a sentence?

Use "which is part of" to introduce a nonrestrictive clause that provides additional information about something already mentioned. For example, "The software, "which is part of" the company's main product line, is undergoing a major update".

What are some alternatives to "which is part of"?

You can use alternatives such as "which constitutes a portion of", "that forms a component of", or "which comprises some of" depending on the level of formality and the specific context.

Is it always necessary to use a comma before "which is part of"?

Yes, when introducing a nonrestrictive clause, always use a comma before "which is part of". This indicates that the information is additional and not essential to the sentence's core meaning. Omitting the comma changes the clause to restrictive, requiring "that" instead of "which".

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

"Which is part of" introduces a nonrestrictive clause that provides extra, non-essential information. "That is part of" introduces a restrictive clause that is essential to the meaning of the sentence. The former requires commas, while the latter does not.