which was that

USAGE SUMMARY

"which was that" is correct and completely usable in written English.
It is a question word phrase that is used to ask for clarification of what was previously said. Example: She told me something I didn’t quite understand, which was that?.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Germany kept reiterating its position, which was that according to international law, Russia was obliged to give back cultural valuables.

The New York Times - Arts

My college coach had a saying, which was that oats move boats, so I'm a religious oatmeal eater before races.

The New York Times

I improved on the points race, which was that extra margin I needed from the London World Cup".

BBC

One of which was that of Claudette Meek.

The Guardian

Starr had a wonderful idea, which was that the Chinese were not such a bad risk.

The New York Times

Nixon gave his opinion on Tiananmen Square, which was that the Chinese should be firm.

The New Yorker

She had one problem, which was that she won a Rhodes Scholarship.

The Washington Post

Epictetus also won me over with his tone, which was that of an enraged athletics coach.

The New Yorker

One of which was that all the money needed would not start coming in until 2041.

The Guardian

After that, "House" delivered 23.3 million viewers, which was that medical series's largest audience ever.

The New York Times

("Which was that?" Olson smirked when this was mentioned to him).

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which was that" to introduce a clause that provides additional information or clarification about a preceding statement. This ensures clarity and logical flow in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "which was that" as a standalone question without a clear reference point. Ensure there's a preceding statement or context that the "that" refers to; otherwise, the phrase becomes vague and confusing. For example: Instead of just writing "Which was that?", use: "She mentioned a key strategy, which was that we needed to diversify our investments."

Linguistic Context

"Which was that" functions as a relative clause, introducing a phrase that provides additional information or clarification about a preceding noun or statement. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Examples demonstrate its role in specifying details or elaborating on previously mentioned concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which was that" serves as a relative clause to clarify or expand upon a previous statement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage in written English. It's prevalent in news, academic and professional contexts, offering a neutral tone suitable for various settings. When using "which was that", ensure it directly follows the statement it clarifies and avoid using it as a standalone question. Alternatives like "namely that" or "that is to say" can provide similar clarification. Remember, clarity and logical flow are key when incorporating this phrase into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is to say

This alternative offers a restatement or clarification of a previous statement.

namely that

This alternative introduces a specific piece of information that clarifies a general statement.

this meant that

This alternative emphasizes the consequence or implication of a previous statement.

specifically that

This alternative is used to provide detailed or precise information.

the result was that

This phrase highlights the outcome or effect of a preceding action or situation.

that being said

This alternative introduces a statement that contrasts with or qualifies something previously said.

the implication being that

This phrase highlights the implied meaning or consequence of something.

this implied that

This phrase indicates that something was suggested without being explicitly stated.

that suggested

This phrase indicates that something hinted at a particular conclusion.

that implied

This is a shortened version implying a consequence.

FAQs

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

Use "which was that" to introduce a clause that provides more detail or explanation about something previously mentioned. For example, "The company's primary goal, "which was that" to increase market share, drove all strategic decisions."

What's a good alternative to "which was that"?

Alternatives include "namely that", "specifically that", or "that is to say" depending on the context. These phrases offer similar ways to provide clarification or additional information.

How does "which was that" differ from "that being said"?

"Which was that" introduces a clarification, while "that being said" introduces a contrasting or qualifying statement. "Which was that" elaborates; "that being said" offers a different perspective.

Is it correct to use "which was that" at the beginning of a sentence?

No, "which was that" should not be used at the beginning of a sentence. It always refers back to something previously stated and requires that prior context.