which were distributed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which were distributed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to items or information that have been shared or given out to a group of people. Example: "The documents, which were distributed during the meeting, contained important updates for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Writer mentions a number of different items which were distributed and raffled off by various exhibitors.

The New Yorker

One tourist took photographs, three of which were distributed by The Associated Press in August.

The New York Times

The police confiscated thousands of copies, which were distributed free through mail boxes.

The New York Times

The company said the recall covered one lot of 300-milligram capsules, No. 9991052, which were distributed nationwide.

The New York Times

The 3,400-member 3,400-member refused to comment on the findings, which were distributed to its members.

The New York Times

According to Billboard, around one million copies were printed, one-third of which were distributed to retailers.

The New York Times - Arts

The communes traditionally divided the land into strips, which were distributed among the households for cultivation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Holl then purchased the rights to the photographs, which were distributed to news outlets.

The New York Times - Arts

It means handling about 500 tons of food annually, 161,000 pounds of which were distributed in November alone, Ms. Lombardo said.

The New York Times

Mr. Hinshaw said the newspapers, which were distributed around Nassau County, were investigated and the accusations were found to be baseless.

The New York Times

In the 1890's, short films were made by British companies and French ones like Pathé Frères, which were distributed in Britain.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which were distributed", ensure that the antecedent (the noun "which" refers to) is clear to avoid ambiguity. For instance, clarify if you mean "copies which were distributed" or "posters which were distributed."

Common error

Avoid using "which were distributed" when "that were distributed" is more appropriate because "which" introduces non-essential information, while "that" introduces essential information. If the sentence's meaning changes if you remove the clause, use "that".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which were distributed" typically functions as a relative clause modifying a noun phrase. It provides additional, non-essential information about the items being referred to. Ludwig confirms that this is a grammatically correct and usable construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which were distributed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used relative clause that adds non-essential information about how something was dispersed, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's versatile across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and general writing. The key is ensuring clarity in its reference and using "that" instead when the clause is essential to the sentence’s meaning. Remember to avoid pronoun reference errors and clarify the nouns being modified for clear communication. According to Ludwig, this phrase is suitable for many types of communications and situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that had been disseminated

Emphasizes the widespread spreading of information.

which had been shared

Indicates that something was given to several people.

that had been circulated

Focuses on the act of passing something around a group.

that were issued

Emphasizes a formal release or giving out of something.

that were provided

Similar to "supplied" but can be broader in scope.

that were handed out

A more informal way of saying something was given to people.

which got dispatched

Indicates that some items were sent or transmitted.

that were supplied

Highlights the provision of something needed.

which were broadcasted

Points to the spreading of something to many recipients via mass-media.

that were allocated

Suggests a more formal or organized distribution.

FAQs

How can I use "which were distributed" in a sentence?

Use "which were distributed" to describe items or information that have been given out to a group. For example, "The pamphlets, which were distributed at the event, contained details about the new policy."

What is a more formal alternative to "which were distributed"?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "that were disseminated" or "that were allocated" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between using "that" versus "which" with "were distributed"?

Yes, "which" introduces non-essential information, while "that" introduces essential information. Use "which were distributed" when the clause can be removed without changing the sentence's core meaning; otherwise, use "that were distributed".

What are some common synonyms for "which were distributed"?

Some common synonyms include "that were handed out", "that were circulated", and "that were supplied". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.