which reinforce

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which reinforce" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or elements that strengthen or support a particular idea, argument, or concept. Example: "The findings of the study are significant, as they provide evidence which reinforce the theory of climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

In our report, we have referred to judgments which reinforce the theory of shame.

The New York Times

While they live, the Lisbon sisters are observed in lots of ways, all of which reinforce their isolation.

The Guardian - Books

Colleges have reconciliation clubs, started on government advice ostensibly to combat ethnic hatred, which reinforce the new non-ethnic narrative.

The New York Times

Such algorithms may create so-called filter bubbles, which reinforce a negative trend of our time – the one that leads to more polarized communities.

The Guardian - Tech

"We need to think of all the aspects of hospital layouts, which reinforce 'institution' – corridors, signs, secrets, confusion – and then unpick them".

The Guardian

He faulted the Labour government for policies which reinforce the Indian government's long-held view that HMG's foreign relations on the subcontinent are "skewed to Pakistan".

The Guardian

However, the review also acknowledged that there needed to be "improvements to communication with patients which reinforce their right to opt out".

The Guardian

The trouble is, my brain doesn't receive the same feedback messages that normal people receive from their smiles, which reinforce their happy feelings as well as relaying them.

The New Yorker

The text is scattered with misheard or archaic words which reinforce the uneasy sense of the past swelling into the present, of "a tide of unmentionables rising around them" (that faint note of prudish revulsion is entirely deliberate).

The Guardian - Books

"Fox criticised the Labour government for policies which reinforce the Indian government's long-held view that HMG's [Her Majesty's government's] foreign relations on the subcontinent are 'skewed to Pakistan'".

The Guardian

India-Pakistan 7. (C/NF) Turning to India, Fox criticized the Labour government for policies which reinforce the Indian government's long-held view that HMG's foreign relations on the subcontinent are "skewed to Pakistan".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which reinforce", ensure that the clause clearly refers to a previously mentioned noun or idea. This maintains clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "that reinforces" when "which reinforces" is more appropriate. "Which" introduces non-restrictive clauses, providing additional but non-essential information, while "that" introduces restrictive clauses that are essential to the sentence's meaning. Use "which" when the clause can be removed without changing the core meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which reinforce" functions as a relative clause introducing additional, non-essential information about a preceding noun or idea. It clarifies the ways in which something supports or strengthens another element, as demonstrated by examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which reinforce" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that introduces non-restrictive clauses, adding detail about how something strengthens or supports a prior idea. Ludwig's analysis, consistent with AI feedback, reveals its frequent use across various domains, particularly in science and news media, and a neutral to formal register. When writing, ensure clarity by clearly linking the clause to its referent and avoid misusing "that" in place of "which". Alternatives like "that strengthen" and "that support" can provide simpler alternatives for expressing the same concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that strengthen

Replaces "which reinforce" with a simpler, more direct expression of strengthening.

that support

Substitutes "reinforce" with "support", indicating a backing or upholding action.

that bolster

Uses "bolster" instead of "reinforce", suggesting an active effort to support or encourage.

which augment

Replaces "reinforce" with "augment", indicating an increase or enhancement.

that amplify

Swaps "reinforce" for "amplify", conveying the idea of making something louder or more intense.

that validate

Uses "validate" to mean confirming or substantiating something, rather than just strengthening it.

that corroborate

Employs "corroborate" instead of "reinforce", focusing on confirming or supporting with evidence.

which underpin

Replaces "reinforce" with "underpin", highlighting the fundamental support or basis.

that buttress

Uses "buttress" to describe providing support, similar to a physical structure.

which fortify

Employs "fortify" instead of "reinforce", suggesting a strengthening to resist attack or weakening.

FAQs

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

Use "which reinforce" to add a non-essential clause that strengthens or supports a preceding idea or statement. For example: "The new regulations include several provisions, "which reinforce" the importance of environmental protection."

What can I say instead of "which reinforce"?

You can use alternatives like "that strengthen", "that support", or "that bolster" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "that reinforce" instead of "which reinforce"?

While both "that reinforce" and "which reinforce" can be grammatically correct, "which reinforce" is typically used for non-restrictive clauses that add extra information. "That reinforce" is used for restrictive clauses that are essential to the meaning of the sentence.

What's the difference between "which reinforce" and "which strengthen"?

Both "which reinforce" and "which strengthen" imply making something stronger. The choice depends on the specific context. "Reinforce" often suggests adding support to an existing structure, while "strengthen" can be a more general term for increasing power or resilience.