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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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which truly was

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which truly was" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the authenticity or reality of a situation or statement. Example: "The event was a celebration of our achievements, which truly was a remarkable experience for everyone involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It is likely that Arana et al. [18] essentially obtained the same result in their study, but because they did not manipulate hunger, they interpreted the difference as a main effect, which truly was masking an interaction.

Science

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

This might be a clichéd novel, but it's a good one, which truly are rare gems to find.

News & Media

The Guardian

Perhaps this "Chopin Treasury," which truly is a treasure, will build demand for Reisenberg's self-effacing and distinguished artistry.

What voters should keep in mind is that, whichever Romney is real, whatever his true beliefs, a President Romney will have to reckon with his own party, which truly is "severely conservative".

News & Media

The New York Times

However, when this "primary account" of surface water supply dwindles during droughts, farms and communities rely heavily on a mystery account called groundwater, which truly is out of sight and, unfortunately, out of mind.

Cardano rules out that "this life of ours can get close to that which truly is," for there is no proportion and no resemblance between the two levels of being.

Science

SEP

This isn't the case with the Beverly Canon Gardens, which truly is a public park.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Which, truly, is an insight that should bring us much hope.

News & Media

Huffington Post

In last week's column, I sang the praises of Bavarian beer gardens, which truly are a marvelous thing.

News & Media

Huffington Post

And so the next day we got up and put on Dwight Yoakam and drove back roads into Eastern Kentucky, where we came mostly by accident, but which truly is the seat of powerlessness in the East.

News & Media

Vice

I am looking for a position such as the one listed here because it involves assisting and organizing for an executive, which truly is my forte.

Formal & Business

Cover Letter
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which truly was" to add emphasis to a preceding statement, confirming its authenticity or validity. This works best when the statement might be surprising or require extra assurance.

Common error

Avoid using "which truly was" in straightforward statements that don't require emphasis. It can sound unnatural or overly dramatic in simple contexts.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

3.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which truly was" functions as a relative clause providing additional emphasis or confirmation to a preceding statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to underscore the genuine nature or validity of the information being presented.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which truly was" is a grammatically correct relative clause used to emphasize the authenticity of a previous statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for adding a sense of validation or reinforcement. While its frequency is rare, it appears across various contexts, including news, science, and formal communication. When writing, remember that "which truly was" is most effective when you want to highlight the genuine nature of something, but avoid overuse to maintain a natural tone. Consider alternatives like "that genuinely was" or "which actually was" to vary your language. The single exact example shows the phrase used to mask an interaction.

FAQs

How can I use "which truly was" in a sentence?

Use "which truly was" to emphasize the genuine nature of a prior statement or situation. For example: "The experience was transformative, "which truly was" a turning point in my life."

What are some alternatives to "which truly was"?

Alternatives include phrases like "that genuinely was", "that really was", or "which actually was" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "which truly was" or "that truly was"?

Both "which truly was" and "that truly was" are grammatically correct, but "which" is generally used for nonrestrictive clauses, adding extra information, whereas "that" is used for restrictive clauses, essential to the sentence's meaning.

What's the difference between "which truly was" and "which seemed to be"?

"Which truly was" asserts the genuine nature of something, while "which seemed to be" suggests an appearance that may or may not be accurate. The former confirms reality; the latter implies perception or uncertainty.

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Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

3.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: