which meant that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which meant that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a consequence or the result of a previous statement or action. For example, "She failed all of her exams, which meant that she had to stay in school for an extra semester."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Which meant that people found it confusing.

Independent

Which meant that it wasn't even close.

The Guardian - Opinion

It flourished, which meant that growth slowed and inequality grew.

The New York Times

"It was circular which meant that you couldn't get lost.

Independent

Which meant that they were all home and in bed.

The New Yorker

Which meant that Aldridge would be dunked underwater as well.

The New York Times - Magazine

A successful one: they won, which meant that he won.

The Guardian - Sport

Which meant that it was sometimes sticking out.

The New York Times - Magazine

Which meant that the extraneous subplots had to go.

The New York Times

Which meant that Mr. Raynor found himself right at home.

The New York Times

Which meant that almost anyone could do a picture.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which meant that" to clearly establish a cause-and-effect relationship between two clauses, ensuring the connection is evident to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "which meant that" in very simple sentences where the connection is already obvious. Opt for a more concise construction like 'therefore' or 'so' to maintain readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which meant that" functions as a causal connector, linking a previous statement or situation to its consequence or result. According to Ludwig, it serves to establish a clear cause-and-effect relationship within a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which meant that" is a common and grammatically sound causal connector used to indicate consequences. Ludwig's AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is frequently found in news and media, but also appears in scientific and encyclopedic contexts. While "which meant that" is versatile, it’s best to avoid overuse in very simple sentences for conciseness. Alternatives such as "therefore" or "consequently" can sometimes provide a more elegant solution. The phrase functions effectively to establish clear cause-and-effect relationships, as illustrated by the many examples found by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which resulted in

Similar to "that resulted in", but emphasizes the preceding clause as the cause.

that resulted in

Highlights the outcome or effect of a particular action or event.

as a consequence

Highlights the direct cause-and-effect relationship, often in a more formal tone.

leading to

Focuses on the process of how one event influences or causes another.

consequently

Stresses the result as a logical outcome of the previous situation.

therefore

Provides a concise and direct way to introduce a logical conclusion.

thus

Similar to 'therefore', but can also indicate the manner in which something is done.

that implied

Focuses on the act of implying or suggesting a consequence, rather than directly stating it.

that brought about

Indicates that the preceding action or event directly caused something to happen.

that signified

Emphasizes the symbolic or indicative nature of the preceding event or statement.

FAQs

How can I use "which meant that" in a sentence?

Use "which meant that" to connect a clause to its direct consequence. For instance, "The store closed early, "which meant that" I couldn't buy the ingredients."

What are some alternatives to "which meant that"?

Alternatives include "therefore", "consequently", "thus", or "as a result". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "which meant that"?

Starting a sentence with "which meant that" is grammatically incorrect; it should be used to connect clauses within a sentence. Consider rephrasing to avoid this construction.

What's the difference between "which meant that" and "that meant that"?

"Which meant that" typically introduces non-restrictive (additional) information, while "that meant that" could imply more essential information. Using "which" requires a comma before the phrase.