which they did

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which they did" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to refer back to something that "they" have done previously in the conversation. For example: "John and Sarah had been discussing what to do for their anniversary, which they did in the end decide to spend it together at the beach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Which they did in style yesterday.

Independent

All of which they did.

The New York Times

Which they did, after anesthetizing the animals.

The Washington Post

Which they did, one by one.

The New York Times - Sports

Which they did, just outside Macy's.

The New York Times - Magazine

Which they did from the start.

The New York Times - Arts

(Which they did not pay for).

The Guardian - Books

They would sign a veteran quarterback, which they did.

The New York Times - Sports

But the manner in which they did had jaws dropping.

The Guardian

They were asked to change the lyrics, which they did.

The Guardian

England were the first to erupt, which they did spectacularly.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which they did" to succinctly refer back to a previously mentioned action, avoiding unnecessary repetition and maintaining clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "which they did" when the action being referred to is unclear or has not been explicitly stated earlier in the sentence or paragraph, as this can lead to confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which they did" functions as a relative clause that refers back to a previously mentioned action or event. It provides a concise way to confirm or emphasize that the action was indeed carried out. Ludwig AI shows that this phrase is commonly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which they did" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that acts as a relative clause to confirm a previously mentioned action. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across diverse contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific writing. It's best practice to use it when the action is clear and unambiguous. For stylistic variation, consider alternatives like "they followed through" or "as they proceeded to do". While versatile, "which they did" maintains a neutral tone suitable for various communication styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they carried it out

Emphasizes the completion of a task or plan.

they followed through

Implies a commitment to completing something that was started.

as they proceeded to do

Emphasizes the sequence of events and the deliberate nature of the action.

they saw it through

Implies perseverance and completion despite potential difficulties.

and they acted accordingly

Highlights the alignment of action with a prior decision or plan.

they went ahead and did it

Suggests a degree of willingness or perhaps overcoming hesitation.

subsequently, they executed it

Focuses on the execution aspect, adding a formal tone.

they undertook the task

Highlights the initiation and involvement in a particular activity.

they performed the action

A more formal and less common way to express the same idea.

they completed the deed

A more dramatic or formal way of saying they finished the action.

FAQs

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

Use "which they did" to refer back to an action that has already been mentioned. For example, "The company promised to reduce emissions, "which they did" by investing in renewable energy".

What are some alternatives to using "which they did"?

Alternatives include "as they proceeded to do", "and they acted accordingly", or "they followed through", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "which they did"?

It's best to avoid using "which they did" if the action you're referring to is vague or unclear from the context. Make sure the reader can easily understand what "they did".

What's the difference between "which they did" and "what they did"?

"Which they did" refers back to a specific action already mentioned, while "what they did" introduces or describes an action without prior reference. For instance, "They agreed to the terms, "which they did" promptly," versus "I'm unsure of "what they did" to resolve the issue."