which they are

USAGE SUMMARY

It is correct and usable in written English.
This is an example of a dependent clause used as an adjective; it describes the noun that precedes it. For example: "The tickets, which they are selling for a reduced price, are very popular."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And, 'Are the fights real?' Which they are".

The New York Times - Sports

Which they are per definition of course.

University of California, Berkeley

But I do care which they are.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Which they are, until they aren't.

The New York Times

Which they are obviously not with Clemens.

The New York Times - Sports

and about which they are consulted.

The Guardian

Systems in which they are used are simple to design.

Capture Pumping Technology

Wagers, establishments accepting, as business in which they are engaged.

Cornell University

It is a process in which they are thoroughly trained, and at which they are remarkably quick.

Cornell University

This article reviews the ways in which they are similar and proposew ways in which they are different.

Cornell University

A descendant calls the Pushkin products kitschy, which they are.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which they are" to add a clarifying detail or provide additional information about a preceding statement. Make sure the clause it introduces is nonrestrictive, meaning it adds extra information but isn't essential to the sentence's core meaning. Use commas to set off the "which" clause.

Common error

Avoid using "which they are" when "that they are" would be more appropriate. "That" clauses are restrictive and essential to the sentence's meaning, while "which" clauses are nonrestrictive and add extra, non-essential information. If removing the clause changes the core meaning of the sentence, use "that."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which they are" typically functions as a relative clause, introducing additional, non-essential information about a preceding noun or clause. As highlighted by Ludwig, it adds descriptive detail.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "which they are" functions as a relative clause, adding non-essential details to a sentence. As Ludwig AI points out, this construction is grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts. It's particularly common in news articles, scientific papers, and academic texts, making it a versatile phrase for both formal and informal communication. When using "which they are", ensure that the information it introduces is supplementary and doesn't fundamentally alter the sentence's meaning. If the information is crucial, consider using "that they are" instead. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively incorporate "which they are" into your writing to enhance clarity and provide additional context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as they are

Replaces "which" with "as", changing the focus slightly to the state or condition.

that they are

Uses "that" instead of "which", offering a more direct assertion.

indeed they are

Adds emphasis with "indeed", strengthening the affirmation.

and they are

Connects the statement with "and", making it part of a larger context.

by which they exist

Focuses on the existence or means of existence.

where they are located

Specifies a location or position.

the way they are

Shifts the focus to the manner or method.

the reason they are

Highlights the cause or explanation for their state.

under which they operate

Refers to the conditions or rules governing their function.

to what extent they are

Specifies the degree or measure of their condition.

FAQs

How can I use "which they are" in a sentence?

Use "which they are" to add non-essential, clarifying information about a preceding noun or clause. For example: "The books, which they are selling at half price, are very popular."

Is there a difference between "which they are" and "that they are"?

Yes, "which they are" introduces a nonrestrictive clause (extra information), while "that they are" introduces a restrictive clause (essential information). If the clause is necessary for the sentence's core meaning, use "that"; otherwise, use "which".

What are some alternatives to "which they are"?

Alternatives include "as they are", "that they are", or "indeed they are", depending on the context and desired emphasis.

When is it inappropriate to use "which they are"?

Avoid using "which they are" when the information is crucial to defining the noun it modifies. In such cases, the restrictive pronoun "that" is more appropriate. For example, instead of "The houses, which they are old, need repair", use "The houses that they are old need repair".