which suggested that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which suggested that" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a statement that provides information or evidence supporting a previous statement or claim. Example: "The results of the study, which suggested that there is a correlation between sleep deprivation and increased stress levels, were published in a leading medical journal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They shall take up serpents" which suggested that Christians might take up "serpents" without injury.

Wikipedia

There was a recent theory which suggested that low grade serous carcinoma may be derived from the fallopian tube.

BioMed Research International

No matching knife was found, which suggested that someone other than Mr. Tankleff had taken it.

The New York Times

F.P. had been bombing since 1940, which suggested that he was now middle-aged.

The New Yorker

He felt a change in the breeze, which suggested that the elevator was moving.

The New Yorker

It made for a complex collection, which suggested that the individual pieces might be better separated.

The New York Times

The study challenges the leading theory about the sibling effect, which suggested that the effect occurred after birth, not before.

The New York Times - Health

It was, of course, the paper in the more obscure journal, which suggested that global warming is creating more hurricanes.

The New York Times - Science

And then there were several pieces of information which suggested that there was some current activity within the United States".

The New York Times

She hadn't, which suggested that she bears being patronised very stoically, like the legendary black performer Sammy Davis Jr.

The Guardian - Music

That is a welcome 'reverse ferret' from her previous comment, which suggested that the Royal Charter was redundant".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which suggested that" to clearly connect an observation or finding with its logical implication. Ensure the 'which' clause directly follows the noun it modifies to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid placing the "which" clause too far from the noun it modifies. This can create confusion about what the clause is referring to. Keep it close for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which suggested that" functions as a relative clause, specifically a nonrestrictive (or non-essential) clause. This type of clause adds extra information to the main clause but is not crucial for understanding the sentence's core meaning. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase introduces an inference drawn from the preceding statement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which suggested that" introduces a nonrestrictive clause to offer an implication or interpretation based on previous information. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for diverse writing styles. When using this phrase, ensure the "which" clause is placed close to the noun it modifies to maintain clarity. While numerous alternatives exist, such as "indicating that" or "implying that", the choice depends on the desired level of formality and the strength of the connection being made.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which implied

This is a more concise past tense construction with a slightly more direct sense of implication.

indicating that

A more direct and explicit way of saying something implies something else. More formal than the original phrase.

implying that

This alternative uses a present participle to introduce the implied information, creating a slightly more concise construction.

leading to the conclusion that

This expresses a more definitive result or logical deduction.

hinting that

This option suggests a more subtle or indirect indication than the original phrase.

intimating that

This suggests a subtle and indirect way of conveying the implication.

pointing towards the idea that

This alternative emphasizes directionality and the conceptual nature of the suggestion.

suggestive of

This option changes the structure to use an adjective and preposition, creating a more concise expression.

lending credence to the belief that

This phrase adds emphasis on the believability or trustworthiness of the implied idea.

from which it can be inferred that

This phrase presents a more formal and deductive approach to drawing conclusions.

FAQs

How can I use "which suggested that" in a sentence?

Use "which suggested that" to introduce a clause that provides an inference or implication based on a previous statement. For example: "The data revealed a decrease in sales, "which suggested that" the marketing campaign was ineffective."

What are some alternatives to "which suggested that"?

Alternatives include "indicating that", "implying that", or "hinting that", depending on the nuance you want to convey. Choose the alternative that best fits the context and level of formality.

Is there a difference between "which suggested that" and "which indicated that"?

"Which suggested that" implies a less direct or conclusive connection, while "which indicated that" implies a more direct and stronger connection. The choice depends on the strength of the evidence and the certainty of the conclusion.

Can I use "that suggested that" instead of "which suggested that"?

While "which suggested that" is commonly used to introduce nonrestrictive clauses (providing extra information), using "that suggested that" is grammatically incorrect in this context. "That" introduces restrictive clauses, which are essential to the sentence's meaning. In this case, "which" is the appropriate relative pronoun.