which is very

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which is very" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a particular quality or characteristic of something being discussed. Example: "The movie was captivating, which is very rare for a sequel."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Which is very undermining".

The New York Times - Arts

Which is very irritating.

Independent

Which is very nearly true.

The New Yorker

REBECCA MEAD: Frustration! which is very understandable.

The New Yorker

"Which is very dangerous," he said.

The New York Times

Which is very sad.

The Guardian - Sport

Which is very important".

The New Yorker

Which is very refreshing.

The Guardian - Film

DL: Which is very good!

The Guardian

Which is very shortsighted of them.

The Guardian - Music

That's 55percentt, which is very significant".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which is very" to add emphasis to a quality or characteristic you are describing. This phrase is suitable for a wide range of contexts, from casual to formal writing.

Common error

While grammatically sound, avoid overusing "which is very" in formal academic or professional writing. Opt for more precise or sophisticated vocabulary to convey the same meaning with greater impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which is very" functions as a relative clause used to add extra information or emphasis to a preceding statement. It serves to highlight a specific quality or characteristic, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

17%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which is very" is a common and grammatically sound way to add emphasis or highlight a quality in both spoken and written English. Ludwig confirms it is widely used across different contexts, primarily in news and media, but also in scientific and formal writing. While versatile, it's advisable to consider more sophisticated alternatives in highly formal contexts to maintain a professional tone. The phrase functions as a relative clause and serves to intensify the attribute being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is extremely

Replaces "which is very" with a more emphatic intensifier.

that's remarkably

Substitutes "which is very" with an expression denoting exceptional quality.

that is exceptionally

Offers a formal alternative, emphasizing the unusual degree of something.

that's quite

Provides a more understated but still significant level of intensity.

which is highly

Replaces "very" with "highly", indicating a high degree or level.

this is considerably

Highlights a notable extent or degree of difference or impact.

it is particularly

Emphasizes the distinctiveness or special nature of something.

that is really

Offers a more casual synonym for "very", suitable for informal contexts.

this proves remarkably

Highlights the noteworthy or exceptional nature of the proof or evidence.

that comes across as significantly

Emphasizes the perceived or noticeable extent of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "which is very" to add emphasis to a quality or characteristic. For example, "The result was unexpected, "which is very" surprising."

What are some alternatives to "which is very"?

Alternatives include "that is extremely", "that's quite", or "that is exceptionally", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it always appropriate to use "which is very" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "which is very" might sound too informal in some academic or professional contexts. Consider stronger, more precise vocabulary to maintain a formal tone.

What's the difference between "which is very" and "which is quite"?

"Which is very" implies a strong degree, while "which is quite" suggests a moderate degree. The choice depends on how much you want to emphasize the quality being described.