which was held

USAGE SUMMARY

'which was held' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a past event or activity that had already occurred. For example, "The conference which was held last week was a great success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Jack Kerouac Night, which was held Aug.

The New York Times - Sports

Next was Thakoon, which was held in Chelsea.

The New York Times

Crimean authorities then proposed a referendum, which was held on March 16.

Stanford University

The controversy concerned the seduction theory which was held by Freud between 1895 & 1897.

The New Yorker

Together they laid the groundwork for the inaugural festival, which was held in June 1951.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He had an eventful 1998 World Cup, which was held in France for the first time.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Kentucky Derby, which was held Saturday evening, was attended by a record 165,000 people.

The New York Times

The almost two-hour rally, which was held at a community center of the Mother A.M.E.

The New York Times

Adelson opposed both Olmert and the peace conference, which was held in Annapolis in late November.

The New Yorker

Trial No. 2, which was held in Munich, began in 2009 and lasted almost two years.

The New Yorker

This year's match, which was held in Gleneagles, Scotland, and finished on Sunday, was no exception.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which was held", ensure that the clause it introduces is nonrestrictive, meaning it adds extra information but isn't essential to the sentence's meaning. Use commas to set off the clause.

Common error

Avoid using "that" in place of "which" when the clause is nonrestrictive. "That" is generally used for restrictive clauses, while "which" is used for nonrestrictive clauses that add extra information. For example, avoid writing "The meeting that was held last week..." if "last week" is additional, non-essential information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which was held" functions as a relative clause, providing additional information about a noun. It introduces a clause that modifies a preceding noun, specifying details about an event or activity. Ludwig confirms the phrase's correct grammatical usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which was held" is a versatile and grammatically sound construct used to introduce nonrestrictive clauses that provide supplementary details about an event or activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to offer contextual information, specifying when and where something occurred. While alternatives like "that took place" exist, understanding the distinction between restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses is crucial for accurate usage. Predominantly featured in news, encyclopedic, and scientific contexts, "which was held" exhibits a neutral register, ensuring its applicability across diverse writing scenarios. By adhering to best practices and avoiding common pitfalls, writers can confidently employ "which was held" to enhance clarity and precision in their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which took place

A simple synonym, slightly less formal than "which was held".

that took place

Replaces "which was held" with a more direct and concise expression, focusing on the occurrence of the event.

that occurred

Uses "occurred" instead of "held", emphasizing the event's happening or coming into existence.

that transpired

Employs "transpired" to suggest an event that unfolded or came to pass, often with a sense of drama or mystery.

that convened

Replaces "was held" with "convened", highlighting the act of gathering or assembling for a meeting or event.

that was conducted

Focuses on the process or execution of the event, using "conducted" to emphasize the organized nature of the activity.

that was staged

Employs "staged" to suggest a carefully planned or theatrical presentation of the event.

that was presented

Uses "presented" to emphasize the act of showcasing or displaying something at the event.

that unfolded

Focuses on the way an event developed, emphasizing the gradual revelation of details.

that came to pass

Replaces "which was held" with a more formal and somewhat archaic expression, emphasizing the event's completion or fulfillment.

FAQs

How do I use "which was held" in a sentence?

Use "which was held" to introduce a nonrestrictive clause that provides additional information about a noun. For instance, "The conference, "which was held" in London, was a great success."

What can I say instead of "which was held"?

You can use alternatives like "that took place", "that occurred", or "which took place" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "that was held" instead of "which was held"?

While both can be used, "which was held" is preferred when introducing a nonrestrictive clause, which adds extra, non-essential information. "That was held" is more suitable for restrictive clauses that are essential to the sentence's meaning.

What's the difference between "which was held" and "which took place"?

The phrases are largely interchangeable. "Which took place" might be considered slightly more informal, but both serve the same purpose of indicating where and when an event occurred.