which is ugly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which is ugly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to provide additional information or clarification about a noun that is considered unattractive or unpleasant in appearance. Example: "The painting, which is ugly, was not well received by the critics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

But there is no solace in aquaculture, which is ugly, dirty and wasteful.

The Guardian - Books

"Prince is going to have to get it done, which is ugly in itself because he gets it done an awful lot, too.

The New York Times - Sports

However, what pure art does is washes away that which is ugly in the world.

Huffington Post

The husband refuses to update or modify the original fireplace brick which is ugly and outdated resulting in an unbalanced newly designed room when completed.

Huffington Post

I'm not renewing my subscription to FORTUNE (I think I've been getting it out of habit) and I never go to its website, which is ugly, out of date, virtually unnavigable and is found at www.cnn.money.com.com

Huffington Post

Which is ugly.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The latest fashion trends, the latest diet tip, the State of the Union, in the US - the political race which is uglier and meaner then it ever has been, new shows, new restaurants, new findings on global warming, healthy living, terrorism, genetics, dangers real and imagined - it goes on and on.

Huffington Post

Donetsk, which was ugly and vulgar and a place where everyone spoke Russian, seemed so unlike Lviv, which, at the other end of the country, was beautiful and charming and a place where everyone spoke Ukrainian, that it was hard to believe they were part of the same country.

The New Yorker

Just make sure you don't go above two inches in height; otherwise, you will be forced to walk on the balls of your feet, which is unnatural, uncomfortable, and will cause long-term foot conditions, which are ugly.

Huffington Post

The streams of story converge, and, as in any good fairy tale, that which is deemed ugly and unworthy, by a myopic world, is revealed to be a pearl beyond price.

The New Yorker

"You could raise more money sitting outside a tube station with your hat on the ground, even if you were twice as ugly as you are, which is very ugly indeed".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which is ugly" to add a descriptive detail to a noun or subject, providing context or explanation about its appearance. This works best when the ugliness is relevant to the overall point you're making.

Common error

Avoid using "which is ugly" as a purely subjective statement without providing any supporting details or context. Vague statements about appearance can weaken your argument. Make sure the description serves a purpose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which is ugly" functions as a nonrestrictive relative clause, providing additional, non-essential information about a noun. As seen in Ludwig, the clause typically adds a descriptive detail. It is used to give more information about something that is considered unattractive.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

14%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which is ugly" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that introduces a nonrestrictive clause to describe something as unattractive. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is most commonly found in News & Media. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, writers should be mindful of the subjective nature of "ugliness" and consider more descriptive or objective alternatives when appropriate. By understanding the nuances of this phrase, writers can use it effectively to provide context and express opinions about appearance with greater clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is unattractive

Replaces "ugly" with a more general term for lacking aesthetic appeal.

that appears displeasing

Emphasizes the negative visual impression something creates.

that lacks beauty

Directly contrasts the absence of beauty.

that is aesthetically unappealing

Uses more formal language to describe something that doesn't look nice.

which is unsightly

Focuses on the unpleasant visual aspect.

that is far from pretty

Uses a more descriptive, less direct way of saying something isn't beautiful.

which is revolting

Emphasizes a strong feeling of disgust or aversion, implying ugliness.

that is hideous

Highlights extreme ugliness, carrying a stronger connotation.

that is unlovely

Uses a gentler, more poetic term for not being beautiful.

which is not easy on the eye

Employs an idiomatic expression to convey the lack of visual appeal.

FAQs

How do I use "which is ugly" in a sentence?

Use "which is ugly" as a nonrestrictive clause to add descriptive information about a noun. For example, "The building, which is ugly, detracts from the beauty of the city."

What are some alternatives to saying "which is ugly"?

You can use alternatives like "that is unattractive", "which is unsightly", or "that lacks beauty" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use the phrase "which is ugly"?

While grammatically correct, "which is ugly" can be subjective and potentially offensive. Consider the context and audience before using it, and opt for more neutral or descriptive alternatives if necessary.

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

"Which is ugly" introduces a nonrestrictive clause, adding extra information that isn't essential to the sentence's meaning. "That is ugly" introduces a restrictive clause, which is essential for identifying the noun being described. For example, "The painting which is ugly, was removed" versus "The painting that is ugly was removed". In the first sentence there's only one painting, so the ugliness is secondary. In the second sentence there are multiple paintings and only one of them is ugly, so the fact of being ugly is essential to know which painting was removed.