which showed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which showed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something previously mentioned has been demonstrated in some way. For example, "The results of the experiment, which showed a positive correlation, surprised the researchers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

West responded one diamond, which showed hearts.

The New York Times

The Serra, which showed "Rocky Horror".

The New Yorker

I had an ultrasound there, which showed a heartbeat.

The New York Times

Harvin had the test, which showed no other damage.

The New York Times - Sports

Wallace himself didn't like the original cover (which showed a blue sky with clouds).

The Guardian - Books

We had only one TV channel, which showed only propaganda, and we believed everything.

The Guardian - Travel

It follows yesterday's PMI data, which showed Germany's private sector is currently contracting.

The Guardian - Business

Alfonzo's X-ray, which showed no fracture, was taken here at Turner Field.

The New York Times - Sports

Toxicological reports, which showed that the drug was not involved, only emerged after the ban.

The Guardian - Opinion

"They wrote these beautiful letters to one another which showed the depth of their love".

The Guardian - Film

She did get a machine recount, which showed she lost by 11 votes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which showed" to add additional, non-essential information about a preceding noun phrase. Ensure the clause is set off by commas.

Common error

Avoid using "that" in place of "which" when introducing a non-restrictive clause. "Which showed" requires a comma before it and provides extra, non-essential information, whereas "that showed" would introduce an essential clause without commas.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which showed" acts as a relative clause, providing additional information about a noun phrase mentioned earlier in the sentence. It connects the clause to its antecedent and offers supplementary details, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which showed" functions as a relative clause to provide extra information about a previous noun. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently employed in various contexts, including news, scientific reports, and business communication. Remember to use commas to offset the "which showed" clause and avoid substituting "that" for "which" in non-restrictive clauses. When aiming for semantic variety, consider alternatives like "that demonstrated" or "that revealed" to match the specific nuance you wish to convey. "Which showed" is a versatile phrase that can enrich your writing when used correctly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that demonstrated

Emphasizes a more direct and conclusive form of showing.

that revealed

Suggests uncovering something previously hidden.

which indicated

Implies a less direct, more suggestive form of evidence.

which confirmed

Suggests verification or validation of something.

which displayed

Focuses on visual presentation or outward manifestation.

that illustrated

Highlights the use of an example to clarify something.

that evidenced

More formal and emphasizes proof or confirmation.

that signified

Highlights the meaning or importance of something.

which reflected

Implies a mirroring or representation of something else.

that presented

Focuses on the act of offering something for consideration.

FAQs

How do I properly punctuate a sentence using "which showed"?

When using "which showed" to introduce a non-restrictive clause, ensure it's set off by commas. For example, "The data, which showed a clear trend, was compelling".

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

"Which showed" introduces a non-restrictive clause (extra information), while "that showed" introduces a restrictive clause (essential information). Use commas with "which" and omit them with "that".

Can I use "which showed" at the beginning of a sentence?

No, "which showed" is a relative clause and must refer to a noun or noun phrase previously mentioned in the sentence.

What are some alternatives to "which showed"?

Alternatives include "that demonstrated", "that revealed", or "which indicated", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.