which were based on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'which were based on' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that a statement or action was founded on something else. For example, "The rules of the game, which were based on traditional practices, were established at the beginning of the season."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Evidence-based self-management strategies were included in the education materials which were based on the principles of pulmonary rehabilitation.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Which parts were pure invention, which speculation and which were based on reliable sources?

The Guardian - Books

It's not surprising that recommendations were made which were based on so little data".

The New Yorker

Mr. Sokolof said he stands by his figures, which were based on tests done for him.

The New York Times

The researchers' new estimate is much more precise than previous estimates, which were based on observations of faraway stars.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The legal proceedings, which were based on specious evidence, were highly irregular.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Such metrics, which were based on anything but cash flow, seemed absurd to some of us at the time.

The New York Times

She also receives about €1,000 a month in state unemployment benefits, which were based on her most recent salary.

The New York Times

Babylonian eclipse predictions, which were based on past series of observations, were fairly accurate for this early period.

Britannica

The demo I was shown included areas which were based on the first and last of those films.

The Guardian - Tech

Those settlements, which were based on intensive taro cultivation using complex irrigation systems, were protected by massive ring-ditch fortifications.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider rephrasing the sentence to use a stronger, more direct verb to indicate the foundation or origin, enhancing clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid stringing together multiple "which were based on" clauses in a single sentence. This can make the writing convoluted and difficult to follow. Break down complex ideas into simpler sentences for better readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which were based on" functions as a relative clause, providing additional information about a noun phrase in the main clause. Ludwig AI confirms the proper use of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Academia

12%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "which were based on" is a common and grammatically correct relative clause used to provide additional information about the origin or foundation of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely used across various domains, including science, news, and encyclopedias. When using this phrase, ensure the 'which' clause refers clearly to a specific noun and avoid overuse in overly complex sentences. Alternatives such as "that stemmed from" or "that derived from" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. By understanding its function and context, you can effectively incorporate "which were based on" into your writing to enhance clarity and provide essential background information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that derived from

Employs 'derived from' to highlight the extraction or obtaining of something from a source.

that found their basis in

Emphasizes that the foundation or reason can be discovered in something.

that stemmed from

Uses 'stemmed from' to emphasize origination or development from a source.

that built on

Highlights the incremental development or addition to an existing base.

that originated from

Focuses on the point of origin or commencement.

that took inspiration from

Focuses on the creative influence or motivation drawn from a source.

that drew upon

Highlights the act of utilizing or taking inspiration from something.

that relied on

Emphasizes dependence or reliance on a specific foundation.

that were predicated on

Implies a logical basis or assumption upon which something is built.

that hinged on

Suggests that the outcome or validity depends on something.

FAQs

How can I use "which were based on" in a sentence?

Use "which were based on" to add extra information about something previously mentioned, explaining its origin or foundation. For example, "The conclusions, "which were based on" thorough research, supported the initial hypothesis."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "which were based on"?

Alternatives include phrases like "that stemmed from", "that derived from", or "that relied on", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Each alternative offers a slightly different emphasis on the relationship between the subject and its foundation.

Is it always necessary to use "which were based on", or can I sometimes omit it?

In some cases, you can rephrase the sentence to directly state the foundation without using a relative clause. For example, instead of "The theories, "which were based on" observation", you could say "The theories stemmed from observation".

What's the difference between "which were based on" and "that were based on"?

"Which" introduces a non-restrictive clause, adding extra information but not essential to the sentence's meaning. "That" introduces a restrictive clause, essential for identifying what you're talking about. However, in informal usage, "which" is often used interchangeably, though sticking to correct grammar improves clarity.