which murder

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which murder" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when asking for clarification about a specific murder among multiple incidents or cases. Example: "In the discussion about the recent crime wave, she asked, 'Which murder are you referring to?'"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Which murder?

Independent

The extent to which murder itself was prosecuted is not even clear.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Padura is remarkable among crime writers: he understands that the real job is to dive into the deep wells of obsession, hatred and poverty from which murder springs.

Independent

Howe studied the new edict and discovered that its authors had left an interval of almost seven months in which murder might be committed with impunity.

The New Yorker

Their cases were solved largely with DNA evidence, and, after a lengthy legal process in which murder convictions against Mr. Alcala were overturned twice, he was convicted there on a retrial in February 2010.

The New York Times

Following the tempestuous action of the English and Scottish scenes — in which murder, rape, cross-dressing and execrable parenting have featured prominently — the transition to South Africa temporarily creates a bit of a lull.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

And as for the title itself — which murdered Jews?

The New Yorker

The vast majority of Peruvians abhor the Shining Path, which murdered tens of thousands of people in the 1980s and early 1990s.

The Economist

Legal advisors to the activists told The Guardian warrants were issued under the country's state of emergency laws, enacted after the terrorist attacks which murdered 130 people.

Independent

According to the government, the police handed the students over to a local narco gang, which murdered them and burned their remains in the Cocula municipal dump.

The New Yorker

The public inquiry into his death, due to end in March, has heard that his killer, Robert Stewart, was part of a gang which murdered fellow inmates.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which murder" when you need to clarify which specific incident of murder is being discussed, especially in contexts where multiple murders have occurred or are being referenced. For instance, in a true crime podcast, when there is a discussion about several murders, you can say, "So, "which murder" are we going to dissect today?"

Common error

Avoid using "which murder" when seeking general information about murder as a concept or crime. Instead, use it to pinpoint a particular instance, not as a broad inquiry about the nature of murder itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which murder" functions primarily as an interrogative determiner followed by a noun. It's used to specify or inquire about a particular instance of murder from a set of known or implied possibilities. As Ludwig AI shows, the phrase is used to seek clarification in news articles, encyclopedias and other sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which murder" is an interrogative phrase used to seek clarification about a specific instance of murder. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and primarily appears in news, encyclopedic, and wiki contexts. While not overly frequent, it serves a vital function in ensuring precise communication when multiple incidents of murder are under discussion. When using this phrase, ensure you're referring to a specific case among others and not inquiring about murder in general. Alternatives like "which homicide" offer more formal options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which homicide

Replaces "murder" with a more formal term for unlawful killing.

which killing

Uses a more general term for the act of causing death.

what murder are you referring to

Clarifies that you are asking for a specific murder to be identified.

what specific murder

Emphasizes the need for a particular murder to be specified.

which case of homicide

Combines "case" to refer to a specific homicide.

which unlawful killing

Replaces "murder" with a descriptive phrase emphasizing illegality.

can you specify the murder

Asks for more details or clarification regarding the murder.

the murder you are talking about

References a previously mentioned murder needing clarification.

which act of homicide

Uses the word "act" to emphasize the specific action of homicide.

the particular murder in question

Highlights that a specific murder is being discussed and needs clarification.

FAQs

How is "which murder" used in a sentence?

The phrase "which murder" is used to ask for clarification or specify a particular incident of murder. For example, "Of all the cases we've reviewed, "which murder" stands out as the most puzzling?"

What's a formal alternative to "which murder"?

A more formal alternative would be "which homicide", using the legal term for unlawful killing.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "which murder"?

It's appropriate when you need to identify a specific act of murder among several possibilities, not when discussing murder in general. For example, you might ask, "In the series of unsolved cases, "which murder" do you believe is most likely to be solved with new DNA technology?"

What is the difference between "which murder" and "what murder"?

While similar, "which murder" implies a selection from a known set of murders, whereas "what murder are you referring to" is more open-ended and can inquire about a murder not previously mentioned.