which pertains

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which pertains" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used to introduce a clause that explains or refers to the main subject of the sentence. Here is an example: "The new company policy, which pertains to dress code, caused quite a stir among the employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I will complete the task, which pertains to the men, tomorrow, God willing," Khadar says.

The New Yorker

By claiming that duty was intuitive, he suggested that "good," which pertains to motives, and "right," which pertains to acts, are indefinable and irreducible terms.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The NYCLU also filed papers in the Handschu case, which pertains to the police department's guidelines for surveillance of political activities, known as the Handschu Guidelines.

The Guardian

The version that the House voted for in its override on Wednesday was also missing that section, which pertains to trade programs and foreign food aid.

The New York Times

"Aaron Sorkin wanted to do a very special episode which pertains to the issues we're facing," said Jeff Zucker, the president of NBC Entertainment.

The New York Times - Arts

This is sometimes called an "idea," from the Greek eide, or "universal," from the Latin universalis, meaning "that which pertains to all".

Encyclopedia Britannica

As the child acquires language, he also learns very early the distinction between "he" and "she" and understands which pertains to him- or herself.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The preparation of small-scale maps from large ones is sometimes simpler than the process just described, which pertains to compilation from a miscellany of differing sources.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Thats the kind of information into government contracting that typically is available to the pub under Foia," he said, adding that so far the government has only invoked exception 7a, which pertains to ongoing law enforcement investigations, so far.

The Guardian - Tech

They are excited by the hunt, especially in cases of what Charlesworth calls "the truly, seriously, excruciatingly rare," which pertains for artists who have been reassuringly esteemed and unproductively dead for long enough.

The New Yorker

Holik was referring to the principle enshrined in the N.H.L. rule book as Rule 25.2, which pertains to penalty shots, "The puck must be kept in motion toward the opponents' goal line".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which pertains" to introduce non-essential clauses that provide additional information about the noun it modifies. This adds detail without changing the core meaning of the sentence.

Common error

Avoid substituting "that" for "which" when introducing a non-restrictive clause. "Which pertains" requires a comma before "which", indicating it is additional, non-essential information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which pertains" functions as a relative clause, connecting and providing additional information about a noun or pronoun. Ludwig indicates this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which pertains" is a grammatically correct and frequently used relative clause that serves to specify the relevance or connection of something to a particular subject. Ludwig AI validates that it is widely accepted in formal writing across science, news, and encyclopedia contexts. When using "which pertains", it is essential to maintain clarity and precision, and choose more direct synonyms such as "that relates to" or "that applies to" for more casual or informal writing. Be sure to use "which" and not "that" in non-restrictive clauses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is relevant to

Replaces "which pertains" with a more direct statement of relevance.

that relates to

Uses a simpler verb to express the connection to a topic.

that concerns

Implies a matter of importance or interest regarding something.

that applies to

Indicates the scope or range of applicability.

that is connected to

Highlights a link or association with the subject.

that bears upon

Suggests influence or impact on the subject.

that has to do with

An idiomatic way of expressing relevance or connection.

that refers to

Emphasizes the act of pointing or alluding to a specific subject.

that is applicable to

Formal synonym for "that applies to", emphasizing suitability.

that has relevance for

Highlights that the phrase is important in a specific field.

FAQs

How can I use "which pertains" in a sentence?

Use "which pertains" to add a non-essential clause providing additional information or clarification about a noun. For example, "The new regulation, which pertains to environmental safety, will be implemented next month."

What are some alternatives to "which pertains"?

You can use alternatives such as "that relates to", "that concerns", or "that applies to", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "that pertains" or "which pertains"?

"Which pertains" is used for non-restrictive clauses, adding extra information. "That pertains" would be used for restrictive clauses, which are essential to the sentence's meaning. However, "which pertains" is more common and generally preferred in formal writing.

What's the difference between "which pertains to" and "which relates to"?

While both indicate a connection, "which pertains to" often suggests a more direct and specific relevance or application, while "which relates to" can imply a broader or more general connection.