which pertains to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which pertains to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is relevant or related to a topic. For example: "The mayor discussed a new policy which pertains to public transportation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

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

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

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

She seems to share a little of my past & my present-not very much, it is true none of the multifarious activities which jostle around in my life, except the part which pertains to Shakespeare, for this is where she exerts her possessive copyright.

The New Yorker

Again, tourism Web sites make the claim, which pertains to the 1890s, for Eau Claire, Wis.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which pertains to" to clearly indicate a direct and relevant connection between a subject and its related aspects in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "which pertains to" in casual conversations or informal writing; opt for simpler alternatives like "that relates to" or "about" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which pertains to" functions as a relative clause that modifies a noun or noun phrase. It introduces information that specifies the relevance or connection of the noun to a particular subject or context. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which pertains to" is a relative clause used to specify the relevance or connection of a subject to a particular context. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and usable, though it is more suited to formal and scientific writing. Common contexts include science, news, and encyclopedias. When writing, it's best to use "which pertains to" to clearly indicate a direct and relevant connection in formal settings, while avoiding it in casual conversation. Alternatives include "which relates to" or "which refers to", depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which relates to

This alternative suggests a connection or association, similar to "pertains to", but emphasizes a direct relationship.

which is relevant to

Directly expresses relevance, making it a straightforward substitute for "pertains to".

which refers to

Focuses on direct reference or allusion, slightly narrowing the scope of relevance compared to "pertains to".

which applies to

Highlights the applicability or relevance of something in a specific situation.

which concerns

Indicates relevance by expressing that something is about a specific topic or subject.

which is connected to

Emphasizes a link or association, suggesting a broader relationship than direct relevance.

which is associated with

Highlights a common connection or relationship, focusing on shared attributes or occurrences.

which is germane to

Stresses the appropriateness or fittingness of something in a particular context.

which bears on

This implies influence or impact on something, suggesting a stronger effect than simple relevance.

which has to do with

Indicates an indirect or less defined relationship.

FAQs

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

Use "which pertains to" to connect a clause that specifies the relevance of a subject to a particular context. For example: "The new regulations, which pertains to environmental safety, will be implemented next month."

What are some alternatives to "which pertains to"?

You can use alternatives like "which relates to", "which refers to", or "which applies to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "that pertains to" grammatically correct instead of "which pertains to"?

While both "which pertains to" and "that pertains to" can be grammatically correct, "which" introduces nonrestrictive clauses (additional information), while "that" introduces restrictive clauses (essential information). Choose the appropriate pronoun based on whether the clause is essential to the sentence's meaning.

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

"Which pertains to" suggests a direct and relevant connection, while "which concerns" indicates that something is about a specific topic or subject. The former emphasizes relevance, the latter emphasizes subject matter.