which were published

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which were published" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to items, works, or documents that have been made publicly available or released in some form. Example: "The articles, which were published in the journal last year, provide valuable insights into the research topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The guidelines, which were published in Gastroenterology in 2018, do not recommend preventive (prophylactic) antibiotics.

University of California, Berkeley

The studies, which were published on Wednesday, were done by doctors from Vanderbilt University in Nashville.

The New York Times

Dance manuals, which were published by music engravers, were also available.

Britannica

Yates also wrote a number of novels, many of which were published serially in popular journals.

Britannica

Horrified, Eldon also took photographs which were published in Kenya's leading newspaper.

The Guardian

A number of leaders responded, sending her official apologies, some of which were published.

The New York Times - Books

Larsson did not live to see the success of his books, which were published posthumously.

The Guardian - Books

Her remarks, which were published Monday, exploded across the Internet and TV news.

The Washington Post

In her spare time, she wrote mystery stories, which were published in many popular magazines.

The New York Times

During that time, Willems wrote and illustrated five books, none of which were published.

The New Yorker

He was the author of 14 books, six of which were published in Japanese.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "which were published" with a stronger verb or more descriptive phrase if the context allows, to enhance clarity and impact. For instance, 'released', 'issued', or 'unveiled' may be more appropriate in certain situations.

Common error

Avoid using 'that' instead of 'which' in nonrestrictive clauses. 'Which' introduces nonessential information, set off by commas, while 'that' introduces essential information not set off by commas. For example, "The findings, which were published in Neurology, are significant" is correct, whereas "The findings that were published are significant" implies only some findings were published.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which were published" functions as a relative clause, providing additional, non-essential information about a preceding noun. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

33%

Science

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which were published" is a frequently used relative clause that provides additional details about a preceding noun. Ludwig AI confirms it as grammatically correct. It is commonly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the 'which' clearly refers to the correct noun, and consider whether a stronger verb could enhance the sentence. Remember that 'which' introduces nonessential information and should be set off by commas, unlike 'that'. Alternatives like "that were released" may be suitable depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that were released to the public

Highlights the act of making something known or available to everyone.

that have been issued

Highlights the formal issuing of documents, reports, or statements.

that got released

Focuses on the action of releasing, implying a deliberate act of making something available.

that have been disseminated

Focuses on the widespread distribution of information.

that saw publication in

Emphasizes the journal or venue where the information was published.

that appeared in print

Emphasizes the physical act of printing and the appearance of the information in a printed format.

that were formally announced

Emphasizes a formal declaration or announcement of the information.

that came out in

Uses a more informal phrasing to indicate the time of publication.

that were put into circulation

Focuses on the act of distributing information widely.

that were brought to light

Emphasizes the act of making something known that was previously hidden or obscure.

FAQs

How do I use "which were published" in a sentence?

Use "which were published" to introduce a nonrestrictive clause that provides additional information about something. For example, "The studies, "which were published" on Wednesday, were done by doctors from Vanderbilt University in Nashville."

What can I say instead of "which were published"?

You can use alternatives like "that were released", "that appeared in print", or "that were released to the public" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "that were published" instead of "which were published"?

While both can be used, "which were published" is typically used to introduce nonessential information, set off by commas. "That were published" is used for essential information. For example: "The articles, "which were published", included new details" (nonessential) vs. "The articles that were published included new details" (essential).

What is the difference between "which were published" and "that were published"?

"Which were published" introduces a nonrestrictive clause, providing extra information that isn't crucial to the sentence's meaning. "That were published" introduces a restrictive clause, essential for identifying the noun it modifies. Use commas with "which" but not with "that".