which were obtained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which were obtained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to items or information that have been acquired or gathered in a specific context. Example: "The results of the experiment, which were obtained through rigorous testing, indicate a significant improvement."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Those are contained in the supporting documents, which were obtained by The New York Times.

The New York Times

The I.R.S. acknowledged the accuracy of the numbers, which were obtained under court order.

The New York Times

Family doctors and mental health campaigners voiced concern at the figures, which were obtained by the GP website Pulse.

The Guardian

principals," according to his calendars, which were obtained by The Times under the Freedom of Information Act.

The New York Times

The documents, which were obtained by the Star Tribune, contained no allegation that Keith Ellison abused his ex-wife.

The Washington Post

The pictures, which were obtained by an American TV network, also show a dog attacking a prisoner and other inmates being forced to simulate sex with each other.

The Guardian

By Peter Kornbluh The New Yorker, June 11 , 1990P. 31 Comment about notebooks which were obtained by the Freedom of Information Act written by Oliver North.

The New Yorker

That contact followed a visit to Iran in December 1995 by another bin Laden associate, according to the documents, which were obtained by The New York Times.

The New York Times

Comcare also undertook one proactive inspection in October 2014, records of which were obtained by Guardian Australia under freedom of information laws.

The Guardian

Edmunds will issue her official ruling after reading a transcript of the statements, which were obtained through wiretaps of Martin's phones.

The New York Times - Sports

But the secret dispatches, which were obtained by WikiLeaks, the whistleblowers' website, also reveal Washington's evaluation of many other highly sensitive international issues.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using stronger verbs like "acquired", "collected", or "derived" to make your writing more concise if the context allows.

Common error

Avoid using "which were obtained" when the noun it refers to is unclear or too far away in the sentence. This can lead to confusion and weaken your writing. Restructure the sentence to place the noun closer to the relative clause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which were obtained" functions as a relative clause, providing additional information about a noun. It modifies the noun by specifying how something was acquired or derived, as illustrated in many Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "which were obtained" is a grammatically sound relative clause, used to provide additional information about a noun. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and high frequency across diverse contexts such as science, news, and academia. When using it, make sure the antecedent is clear. While "which were obtained" is common, consider more concise alternatives like "that were acquired" or "derived" for stronger writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that were acquired

Focuses on the act of acquiring something rather than the process of obtaining it.

that were received

Emphasizes the act of receiving something, often implying a transfer from someone else.

that were collected

Highlights the gathering or accumulation of items or information.

that were derived

Specifically refers to something originating or stemming from a particular source.

that were procured

Implies a formal or official process of acquiring something, often with effort.

that were accessed

Focuses on gaining access to something, often implying a restriction or barrier.

that were secured

Emphasizes the effort and process involved in making something safe or certain.

that were extracted

Highlights the process of taking something out or removing it from a larger context.

that were generated

Focuses on the creation or production of something.

that were realized

Implies that something was achieved or made into reality.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "which were obtained" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "that were acquired", "that were procured", or "that were derived" depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

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

While both are grammatically correct, "which" introduces a nonrestrictive clause (additional information), while "that" introduces a restrictive clause (essential information). Use "that" if the clause is crucial to understanding the sentence's meaning.

Is it ever incorrect to use "which were obtained"?

While grammatically sound, overuse of "which" clauses can make writing sound wordy. Sometimes, restructuring the sentence or using a stronger verb eliminates the need for the clause entirely.

What are some alternatives to "which were obtained" in scientific writing?

In scientific contexts, consider "that were derived", "that were extracted", or "that were generated" for more precise and technical language. Ensure the chosen alternative accurately reflects the process.