which supports

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which supports" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a clause that provides additional information or explanation about the subject of the sentence. Example: "The research findings, which support the idea that regular exercise improves mental health, were published in a prestigious medical journal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Supporters of Mr. Arlacchi say the party, which supports legalizing narcotics, has long been a critic.

The New York Times

Foundation, which supports research on lupus.

The New York Times

Preparation bolsters his conviction, which supports his certitude.

The New Yorker

Which supports the competition's ethos of promoting young talent more?

The Guardian - Sport

● It contains vitamin D, which supports the immune system.

The Times

"And it's got gambling, which supports the room rates".

The New York Times

Gather evidence, which supports you having sole custody.

WikiHow

Service attributes include the graphical interface which supports user interactions.

Computer Standards & Interfaces

On DonorsChoose, which supports public schools, teachers post specific needs for their classrooms at DonorsChoose.org.org

The New York Times

Catherine Tito works with Girls Re-defined, an organisation which supports teen survivors of FGM.

The Guardian

Foundation, which supports research and provides education on the disease commonly known as lupus.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which supports", ensure the clause it introduces provides essential, non-restrictive information. Use commas to set off the clause to indicate that it's additional but not critical to the sentence's core meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "which" when "that" is more appropriate. "That" introduces essential, restrictive clauses. If the information is crucial to identifying what you're talking about, use "that" instead of "which".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which supports" primarily functions as a relative clause introducing non-essential information about the noun it modifies. This usage adds descriptive details without being crucial to the sentence's core meaning. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and common usage of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which supports" serves as a relative clause that adds non-essential information to a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently used. The best practice is to use commas to set off the "which supports" clause, indicating its supplementary nature. Avoid confusing it with "that supports", which introduces essential information. This phrase is versatile, appearing in news, science, and formal contexts, making it a valuable tool for enriching your writing with additional details and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that aids

Replaces "which supports" with a more direct synonym, focusing on assistance.

that enables

Highlights the capability of allowing something to happen.

that facilitates

Highlights the role of making something easier or possible.

that reinforces

Indicates a strengthening or bolstering effect, similar to support.

that sustains

Emphasizes the aspect of maintaining or prolonging something.

that validates

Indicates confirmation or verification of something.

that underpins

Implies a foundational support, suggesting a more fundamental role.

that promotes

Stresses the encouragement or furtherance of something.

that justifies

Focuses on providing a rationale or reason for something.

that advocates

Shifts the meaning towards active promotion or defense.

FAQs

How do I use "which supports" in a sentence?

Use "which supports" to introduce a non-restrictive clause that adds extra information about the subject. For example: "The new policy, which supports employee well-being, has been well-received".

What can I say instead of "which supports"?

You can use alternatives like "that aids", "that reinforces", or "that enables" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "that supports" instead of "which supports"?

While both can be grammatically correct, "that" is generally used for restrictive clauses (essential information), and "which" for non-restrictive clauses (additional information). Choose based on whether the information is critical to the sentence's meaning.

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

"Which supports" introduces a clause that adds extra, non-essential information, set off by commas. "That supports" introduces a clause that is essential to the meaning of the sentence and isn't set off by commas.