which was written

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which was written" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to provide additional information about a noun, typically in a relative clause. Example: "The book, which was written in 1995, became a bestseller." Alternative expressions include "that was written" and "which had been written."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Hirsch calls his journal, which was written retrospectively, a dossier.

The New Yorker

I directed the film, which was written by Millard Lampell.

The New York Times - Arts

All of them moved us, especially a card in which was written a four-line poem.

Independent

That gives you a sense of the irrelevant story, which was written by Mr. Besson.

The New York Times

Benny Avni unfolded the note, which was written on a page torn from Nava's kitchen notebook.

The New Yorker

Author!" (1982), which was written by Horovitz, was also a bust.

The New Yorker

Yet "Definitely, Maybe," which was written and directed by Adam Brooks, has charm and spirit.

The New Yorker

"Nightcrawler," which was written and directed by Dan Gilroy, provides ample cause for alarm.

The New Yorker

He also found a postcard on which was written "Wednesday, 9.30 p.m.," and a message.

The New York Times

Mr. Allen is adapting his original screenplay, which was written with Douglas McGrath.

The New York Times

The theater company Polybe & Seats commissioned the work, which was written by Avi Glickstein.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which was written", ensure the clause is nonrestrictive and set off by commas. This provides additional, but not essential, information about the noun it modifies.

Common error

Avoid using "which was written" in restrictive clauses where the information is essential to the sentence's meaning. In such cases, "that was written" is more appropriate and should not be set off by commas.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which was written" functions as a nonrestrictive relative clause, providing additional information about a noun. As Ludwig AI points out, it adds descriptive detail that is not essential to the core meaning of the sentence. This contrasts with restrictive clauses introduced by "that".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

18%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which was written" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to introduce nonrestrictive relative clauses. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase adds extra information about a noun without being essential to the sentence's core meaning. It's versatile across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and general writing. Remember to use commas to set off the "which was written" clause and to differentiate it from restrictive clauses using "that was written".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was composed

Replaces "written" with "composed", emphasizing the act of creating a piece of work, especially music or literature.

that was authored

Substitutes "written" with "authored", highlighting the role of the author or creator.

that was drafted

Uses "drafted" instead of "written", focusing on the initial creation or preparation of a document or text.

which had been penned

Replaces "was written" with "had been penned", implying a more formal or literary style of writing.

that was inscribed

Substitutes "written" with "inscribed", often used for texts that are engraved or formally recorded.

that was created

Uses "created" instead of "written", emphasizing the act of bringing something into existence.

which originated as

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the origin of something, rather than the act of writing itself.

that stemmed from

Shifts the focus to the source or origin of the written material.

that is attributed to

Changes the focus to the attribution of authorship, rather than the act of writing.

the product of writing

Rephrases to emphasize that something is a direct outcome of the writing process.

FAQs

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

Use "which was written" in nonrestrictive clauses to add extra, non-essential information about a noun. For example: "The report, "which was written" in 2025, details the project's outcomes."

What's the difference between "which was written" and "that was written"?

"Which was written" introduces a nonrestrictive clause set off by commas, providing additional information. "That was written" introduces a restrictive clause essential to the sentence's meaning, without commas. For instance, "The book that was written last year is now a bestseller."

Can I use "which was written" at the beginning of a sentence?

No, "which was written" cannot start a sentence. It is a relative clause that must follow the noun it modifies. For example: "The email, "which was written" hastily, contained several errors."

What are some alternatives to "which was written"?

Alternatives include "that was authored", "that was composed", or "which had been penned", depending on the context and desired formality.