which was caused

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which was caused" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the reason or cause of a particular event or situation. Example: "The delay in the project was due to a technical issue, which was caused by a software malfunction."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Which was caused by high NOx concentration.

Catalysis Today

Stocks rebounded from Friday's steep sell-off, which was caused by a disappointing jobs report.

The New York Times

Tests revealed cerebral palsy with mental retardation, which was caused at birth.

The New York Times

The gas pressures which was caused by encapsulation of different amounts of 226Ra were determined.

Journal of Hazardous Materials

Mitchell had also suffered with chronic pain for more than 20 years, which was caused by a nerve-damaging illness.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

There were four caution flags, one of which was caused by the only major wreck of the day.

The New York Times

But in a depressed economy -- some of which was caused by the Sept. 11 tragedies -- Stern gambled.

The New York Times - Sports

He accepts his predicament, which was caused in large part by the deal he received in 2005.

The New York Times - Sports

None of the victims were seriously injured in the incident, which was caused by a leaky boiler, the authorities said.

The New York Times

The Financial Conduct Authority is investigating the profit overstatement, which was caused by overoptimistic recording of revenues from suppliers.

The Guardian - Business

Acoustic experiments showed a resonance frequency of 1.2 MHz in immersion, which was caused by a higher order vibration mode.

Sensors and Actuators A: Physical

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which was caused", ensure the 'which' clause refers clearly and unambiguously to the preceding noun or clause to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid placing the "which" clause too far from the noun it modifies. This can create ambiguity and make the sentence difficult to understand. Instead, keep the clause close to the noun it describes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which was caused" functions as a relative clause, specifically an adjectival clause, providing additional information about the noun or clause it modifies. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates the reason or cause of a particular event or situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which was caused" serves to connect an event or condition with its underlying cause, functioning as an adjectival relative clause. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts, particularly in scientific and news-related content. While versatile, clarity is key: ensure the 'which' clause refers unambiguously to the preceding noun. Alternatives like "that resulted from" and "due to" offer similar meanings, but subtle differences in emphasis may influence the most appropriate choice. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication, solidifying its place as a valuable tool in effective writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

because of

A simpler and more direct way to express causation.

was due to

Offers a direct and common way to indicate a cause.

that resulted from

Replaces the passive voice with a more direct verb, emphasizing the outcome.

was a consequence of

Highlights the result or effect of a prior event.

was brought about by

Emphasizes the action that caused something to happen.

stemmed from

Implies a gradual development or origin from a particular source.

was triggered by

Implies a specific event that initiated a chain of reactions.

arose from

Suggests a spontaneous or emergent origin.

originated in

Focuses on the initial point or place of something's beginning.

attributable to

Suggests that something can be ascribed or credited to a particular cause.

FAQs

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

Use "which was caused" to add information about the reason behind a specific event or condition described in the main clause. For example, "The delay in the project, "which was caused" by a technical issue, has been resolved".

What are some alternatives to using "which was caused"?

You can use alternatives like "that resulted from", "due to", or "stemmed from" depending on the specific context. Each alternative offers a slightly different nuance in conveying the cause-and-effect relationship.

Is it more formal to say "which was caused by" or "due to"?

"Which was caused by" and "due to" are both generally appropriate for formal writing. However, "which was caused by" may sometimes be preferred in very formal or academic contexts for its explicit structure.

What is the difference between "which was caused by" and "because of"?

"Which was caused by" introduces a relative clause providing additional information about a noun, while "because of" is a prepositional phrase that directly explains the reason for something. The choice depends on how you want to structure your sentence and the level of emphasis on the cause.