which was sent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'which was sent' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to something that happened in the past, often to refer to a specific event. For example: I received an email yesterday, which was sent by my supervisor.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To do that, we designed a survey which was sent to 160 public hospitals (June 2002).

Acta Otorrinolaringológica Española

The proposal, which was sent to Goldman in January, is being withdrawn.

The New York Times

The book, which was sent to him by his lawyer, is a work of history.

The New York Times

Crespo won a corner which was sent into the near post by Pirlo.

The Guardian - Sport

The suspension, which was sent by email on Wednesday evening, has caused outrage among students.

The Guardian

The second message, which was sent Jan . 30but discovered by news organizations on Jan.

The New York Times

(The Treasury Department oversees the Secret Service, which was sent to investigate).

The New York Times

In the bottom picture which was sent directly to Reuters by KCNA, the group is missing.

The Guardian

I understand this letter which was sent privately to pupils has gone viral.

The Guardian - Opinion

One of the Ms. O'Connor's doctors ordered a skin biopsy, which was sent to the C.D.C.

The New York Times

✒I loved this tale about my dad, which was sent in by Hywel James.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which was sent", ensure that the preceding noun is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For clarity, it's best to place the phrase immediately after the noun it modifies.

Common error

A common mistake is using "that" instead of "which" when introducing a nonrestrictive clause. "Which was sent" should be used when the clause provides additional, non-essential information. If the clause is essential to the sentence's meaning, "that" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which was sent" functions as a relative clause, specifically a nonrestrictive (or nonessential) clause, providing additional information about the noun it modifies. This is supported by Ludwig and numerous examples where it adds extra, non-essential details.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which was sent" functions as a relative clause to provide extra information about a noun, as demonstrated by Ludwig. It is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. The key is to use "which" for nonrestrictive clauses, adding details that are not essential to the sentence's main meaning. Common alternatives include phrases like "that was dispatched" or "which was forwarded". Remember to maintain clarity by placing the phrase close to the noun it modifies to avoid confusion. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is commonly used and grammatically sound.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which was dispatched

Replaces "sent" with "dispatched", which indicates something being sent quickly and efficiently.

that was dispatched

Replaces "which" with "that" and "sent" with "dispatched", emphasizing the act of sending something off.

that was transmitted

Replaces "which" with "that" and "sent" with "transmitted", suggesting a more technical or formal method of sending.

which was forwarded

Replaces "sent" with "forwarded", implying that something was sent on to another recipient.

that was conveyed

Replaces "which" with "that" and "sent" with "conveyed", suggesting a more formal or indirect method of communication.

that was issued

Replaces "which" with "that" and "sent" with "issued", indicating an official or formal release of something.

which was directed

Replaces "sent" with "directed", implying that something was sent with a specific purpose or target.

that was remitted

Replaces "which" with "that" and "sent" with "remitted", which usually refers to sending money.

which was broadcast

Replaces "sent" with "broadcast", used when referring to sending information to a large audience.

that was routed

Replaces "which" with "that" and "sent" with "routed", suggesting a specific path or system through which something was sent.

FAQs

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

Use "which was sent" to add extra information about something previously mentioned. For example, "The email, "which was sent" on Monday, contained important updates."

What alternatives can I use instead of "which was sent"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "that was dispatched", "that was transmitted", or "which was forwarded".

Is it correct to say "that was sent" instead of "which was sent"?

While both can be grammatically correct, "which" is typically used for nonrestrictive clauses, while "that" is used for restrictive clauses. The choice depends on whether the clause is essential to the sentence's meaning.

What's the difference between ""which was sent"" and "which had been sent"?

"Which was sent" implies a simple past action, while "which had been sent" indicates an action completed before another point in the past. The latter emphasizes the sequence of events.