which signifies

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which signifies" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has meaning or conveys a certain message. For example, "The colour red, which signifies passion and danger, is often chosen to represent love."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They stepped to the altar to receive a sizable bronze cross, which signifies their commitment.

The New York Times

An overused word, gala derives from the Old French "gale," which signifies merrymaking.

The New York Times - Arts

Notice the.seq extension, which signifies a sequence file that is readable by Spark.

University of California, Berkeley

A student receives her white coat, which signifies a veterinary student's transition into clinical training.

Cornell University

The bugle call was "Retreat," which signifies the lowering of the American flag on a military installation.

The Washington Post

There are, consequently, numerous names for Lord of the Mountain still current in Korea, each of which signifies a tiger.

Britannica

When he chopped the sample up, it sounded like "two-two" – 22 – his favourite number, which signifies his dual identity.

The Guardian - Music

Which signifies knocking against a stone wall and knowing that the wall will not yield to any imploration".

The New York Times - Books

Dance/NYC, an arts service and advocacy organization, will administer the awards, which signifies an important shift.

The New York Times - Arts

"These opposition victories, save for Senegal in 2000, have all come since 2010, which signifies an unprecedented growth of political maturity in the region.

The Guardian

They display a logo of a knotted red handkerchief – a symbol of the traditional memory aid – which signifies that staff can offer assistance to people with the condition.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which signifies" to clearly establish a connection between a symbol, action, or event and its deeper meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "which signifies" when the meaning is already clear from the context. For example, instead of saying 'The red light, which signifies danger, warned the drivers', you can simply say 'The red light warned the drivers', as red lights are commonly understood to indicate danger.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which signifies" functions as a relative clause, providing additional information about a noun or pronoun. It connects a subject with its symbolic meaning, often elaborating on the subject's importance or interpretation. Ludwig shows many examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which signifies" is a frequently used and grammatically sound phrase that serves to connect a subject with its symbolic meaning. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts, it adds clarity by explicitly stating the significance or representation of a particular element. While versatile, it's important to use it judiciously to avoid redundancy, ensuring that the connection isn't already obvious from the surrounding text.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which indicates

Indicates is a more direct synonym, focusing on pointing something out.

which means

Means is a simpler and more general way to express the same idea.

which represents

Represents emphasizes the act of standing for or symbolizing something.

which symbolizes

Symbolizes specifically refers to the use of a symbol to represent something.

which implies

Implies suggests a less direct, more subtle meaning than signifies.

which suggests

Suggests is similar to implies but can also mean to propose.

which denotes

Denotes is a more formal term, emphasizing a literal or explicit meaning.

which embodies

Embodies suggests something that contains or expresses a concept perfectly.

which alludes to

Alludes to implies an indirect reference.

which elucidates

Elucidates suggests clarifying or explaining something.

FAQs

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

Use "which signifies" to link a detail or characteristic to its meaning or importance. For example, "The white coat, "which represents" a doctor's commitment, is a powerful symbol."

What are some alternatives to "which signifies"?

You can use alternatives like "which indicates", ""which represents"", or "which implies" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to use "which signifies" or can I omit 'which'?

While "which signifies" is grammatically correct, you might sometimes rephrase the sentence for conciseness. For instance, instead of "The symbol, which signifies hope, was prominently displayed", you could say "The symbol signifying hope was prominently displayed".

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

"Which signifies" introduces a nonrestrictive clause, adding extra information that isn't essential to the sentence's meaning. "That signifies" would introduce a restrictive clause, essential for defining what you're talking about. The choice depends on whether the information is crucial for understanding the noun it modifies.