which speaks to

USAGE SUMMARY

"which speaks to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that supports or reflects an opinion or idea. For example, "His speech included many stories which spoke to his listeners."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Which speaks to me the loudest, and why?

The Guardian - Books

It had a simple, utilitarian sound which speaks to the architect's ethos".

The New York Times

Yet people continue to come, which speaks to another theme in his work.

The New York Times

Which speaks to the importance of addressing when and how climate change will affect different regions.

Yale University

This does not at any point seem forced, which speaks to the persuasiveness of their arguments.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"The products are simple and the packaging is straightforward, which speaks to the old apothecary concept.

The New York Times - Style

"And it's a conundrum which speaks to the power of fiction.

The Guardian - Books

All of which speaks to an enduring and now urgent challenge for this mayor.

The New York Times

This is a movie which speaks to our fascination with the exotic, the mad, the unreal.

The Guardian - Film

He is a plus-24 for the season, which speaks to his commitment as a two-way player.

The New York Times

Even with their third quarterback, the Badgers remain dangerous, which speaks to the resiliency of this team.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which speaks to" to connect an observation or fact to a broader concept or implication. It's effective for adding depth and interpretive layers to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "which speaks to" when a simpler connective like "that shows" or "that indicates" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which speaks to" functions as a relative clause introducing additional information or an interpretation of a preceding statement. It serves to connect a specific detail to a broader implication or underlying theme. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

21%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which speaks to" is a versatile phrase used to establish a connection between a specific point and a broader context or implication. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and indicates its prevalence across various domains, especially in news, academic writing, and scientific discourse. It’s a powerful tool for adding depth to your writing, but be mindful not to overuse it where simpler connectives would suffice. As Ludwig suggests, this phrase is well-suited to formal and neutral registers where you aim to provide nuanced interpretations and show relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that resonates with

Implies an emotional or sympathetic connection, rather than a simple indication.

that reflects

Highlights a mirroring or representation, good for showing how something embodies something else.

that alludes to

Focuses on indirect reference or suggestion, rather than direct indication.

that highlights

Stresses the act of bringing attention to something, focusing on prominence.

that points to

Suggests direction or implication, less about resonance and more about suggestion.

that is indicative of

Emphasizes the role of being a sign or symptom, highlighting a predictive quality.

that suggests

Focuses on hinting or implying something, often used when evidence is not definitive.

that confirms

Emphasizes verification or validation, useful when underscoring evidence.

that is relevant to

Highlights direct connection and pertinence, useful when emphasizing importance to a specific subject.

that is connected to

Highlights a relationship or association but can sometimes be used more literally.

FAQs

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

Use "which speaks to" to link a specific detail or event to a larger idea or theme. For example, "The high unemployment rate, which speaks to the failing economy, is a cause for concern."

What are some alternatives to using "which speaks to"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "that reflects", "that indicates", or "that suggests".

Is it better to say "that speaks to" or "which speaks to"?

Both "that speaks to" and "which speaks to" are grammatically correct, but "which" is typically used for non-restrictive clauses, while "that" is used for restrictive clauses that are essential to the sentence's meaning. Choose based on whether the clause is essential or provides additional information.

What's the difference between "which speaks to" and "that is indicative of"?

"Which speaks to" implies a broader connection or interpretation, while "that is indicative of" more directly points to something serving as a sign or symptom. The former is interpretive, the latter, more observational.