which were rejected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which were rejected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to items, proposals, or ideas that have been dismissed or not accepted in a particular context. Example: "The committee reviewed several proposals, but ultimately, only a few were approved, while others, which were rejected, did not meet the necessary criteria."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Mr. Gonzalez filed appeals, which were rejected.

The New York Times - Health

Manuscripts submitted for publication which were rejected, withdrawn, or accepted, with referee reports.

Cornell University

Streeting backed proposals to reform the NUS, which were rejected by conference delegates yesterday.

The Guardian

Student leaders have said they made counter-offers, all of which were rejected.

The Guardian

Rival Carillion made three bids a year ago, all of which were rejected.

The Guardian - Business

He simply ignores repeated Israeli initiatives for peace, which were rejected by the Palestinians.

The New York Times

He sold them fake antiques & got them theatre tickets At first, he made homosexual advances to Zelig, which were rejected.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN: Which was rejected.

The New York Times

It is 1334 which was rejected by the Tribunal.

Yale University

Kushner's company offered $265 million, which was rejected.

The Washington Post

Later he submitted a written transfer request which was rejected.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which were rejected", ensure the preceding noun is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "the proposals which were rejected" rather than just "the ones which were rejected".

Common error

Avoid using 'that' in nonrestrictive clauses. If the information provided by "which were rejected" is not essential to the sentence's meaning, use 'which' and enclose the clause in commas. Using 'that' in such cases is grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

"Which were rejected" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun or pronoun by providing additional information about it. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used, adding descriptive detail.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "which were rejected" is a grammatically correct and very common relative clause used to provide additional information about something that has been turned down or not accepted. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness. It is most frequently found in news and media, academic, and scientific contexts, indicating a neutral register. When using the phrase, ensure that the preceding noun is clearly defined, and that 'which' is used correctly in nonrestrictive clauses. Alternatives like "that were declined" or "that were dismissed" can be used for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that were turned down

Emphasizes the act of refusing or declining something offered.

that were declined

Focuses on a polite or formal refusal of an offer or proposal.

that were dismissed

Highlights the act of disregarding or rejecting something as unworthy of consideration.

that were refused

Indicates a direct and often firm rejection.

that were vetoed

Suggests a rejection by someone with authority or power to do so.

that were repudiated

Implies a formal and public rejection or disavowal.

that were nullified

Indicates a rejection that renders something invalid or without legal force.

that were overruled

Highlights a rejection by a higher authority or a superior decision.

that met with disapproval

Focuses on the lack of approval or acceptance that led to the rejection.

that faced rejection

Emphasizes the experience of being rejected, rather than the act itself.

FAQs

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

You can use "which were rejected" to add extra information about something previously mentioned in your sentence. For example, "The company submitted several proposals, "which were rejected" due to budget constraints."

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

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "that were declined" or "that were dismissed". These alternatives maintain a professional tone while conveying the same meaning as "which were rejected".

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

"Which were rejected" introduces a nonrestrictive clause, providing additional but non-essential information. "That were rejected" would introduce a restrictive clause, essential to identifying what you're referring to. The choice depends on whether the clause is necessary for understanding the sentence's core meaning.

Can I start a sentence with "which were rejected"?

No, you cannot start a sentence with "which were rejected". This phrase is a relative clause and requires a main clause to provide complete meaning. It must refer back to a noun or idea previously introduced in the sentence.