which thinks that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which thinks that" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It can be used when referring to a subject or entity that holds a particular belief or opinion, but it is better to rephrase for clarity. Example: "The organization, which thinks that climate change is a pressing issue, has launched a new initiative."

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

And if each thing is to be relative to that which thinks, that which thinks will be relative to an infinity of specifically different things.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"Here we have a zoo which thinks that putting this giraffe down instead of thinking of alternatives is the best option," she said.

BBC

A body which thinks that "serious consequences" spells "more inspectors" does not deserve to be taken seriously.

The Economist

We do not want a country like Iran, which thinks that it is ruling with a divine mandate.

The New York Times - Magazine

For almost 20 years it has been involved in a tedious dispute with Greece, which thinks that its name implies a territorial claim to Greek Macedonia.

The Economist

So let's say it's an NGO from Holland or from Germany which thinks that mining is wrong, that it punishes natives at the expense of rich Canadians, shareholders.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"For us, $20 million (in box-office receipts) is a very big success, compared to the (major studios), which think that is a joke". However, very few of Cannon's films in the last two years have approached $20 million in box-office receipts.

Los Angeles Times

"It is a good answer to our neighbors and regional countries, which thought that the Americans were leaving the region".

The New York Times

The Penney deal, signed at the end of 2011, infuriated Macy's, which thought that its own deal with M.S.L.O.

The New Yorker

On the other hand stands an educational establishment which thought that diversity and tolerance were synonymous, and finds they're not.

The Economist

E-mail address GO SIGN UP Share Tweet The Penney deal, signed at the end of 2011, infuriated Macy's, which thought that its own deal with M.S.L.O.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "which thinks that" with stronger, more precise verbs like "believes", "argues", or "concludes" for improved clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "which thinks that" in formal contexts. Opt for more sophisticated phrasing such as "which posits that" or "which maintains that" to enhance the academic tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which thinks that" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun by attributing a thought or belief to it. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrasing is acceptable but often benefits from stronger verb choices for increased clarity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which thinks that" functions as a relative clause used to attribute a thought or belief to an entity. Ludwig AI suggests that while grammatically acceptable, it often benefits from clearer, more forceful verb choices. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, with less frequent usage in academia and science. When writing, consider stronger alternatives like "believes", "argues", or "concludes" for improved clarity and impact, especially in formal writing. While the grammar is correct, refining word choice can enhance the overall quality of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that believes that

Replaces "thinks" with a more formal synonym, "believes".

which considers that

Substitutes "thinks" with "considers", emphasizing a more thoughtful evaluation.

that holds the opinion that

Provides a more explicit and formal phrasing.

that is of the opinion that

Emphasizes the opinion held, adding a layer of formality.

that presumes that

Suggests an assumption rather than a definite thought.

which assumes that

Replaces "thinks" with "assumes", indicating a lack of certainty.

that concludes that

Indicates a deduction or judgment based on evidence.

that understands that

Implies comprehension or awareness.

that is under the impression that

Suggests a subjective belief, potentially unfounded.

which feels that

Expresses a sentiment or personal conviction.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "which thinks that"?

Alternatives include "that believes that", "which considers that", or "that holds the opinion that depending on the context".

Is "which thinks that" grammatically correct?

While grammatically acceptable, "which thinks that" can often be improved for clarity. More concise and direct phrasing is often preferable.

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

You can use "which thinks that" to introduce a relative clause that describes an entity holding a specific belief. For example, "The organization, which thinks that climate change is a pressing issue, is launching a new initiative."

What's the difference between "which thinks that" and "which believes that"?

The phrase "which believes that" is often a more formal and direct substitute for "which thinks that", providing a slightly stronger sense of conviction.