which were sent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which were sent" is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to provide additional information about something that has already been mentioned in a sentence. For example: "I received a number of emails this morning, some of which were sent by my boss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

DR. SERVATIUS: What did these reports which were sent to Sauckel contain? received such reports?

Yale University

They used more than 300 plow trucks, some of which were sent from upstate.

The New York Times

The Kennel Club did not dispute the allegations, which were sent to dog magazines.

The New York Times

The messages, which were sent last month, were signed by Eve's founders.

The New York Times

So did his state tax returns from 1995, portions of which were sent to the Times.

The New Yorker

Also includes material concerning questionnaires which were sent to 18 eastern universities, and evaluation of the questionnaires.

Cornell University

Two of these are due to re-tweets of messages which were sent before the search was started.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

(The Treasury Department oversees the Secret Service, which was sent to investigate).

The New York Times

The watched movement of each robot is compared to the reported movement which is sent over some communication link.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

To do that, we designed a survey which was sent to 160 public hospitals (June 2002).

Acta Otorrinolaringológica Española

These two components can be separated from CH4 and CO which are sent in the Synthesis Gas production step.

Chemical Engineering Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which were sent", ensure that "which" refers clearly to the noun you intend. Ambiguity can confuse the reader and weaken your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "that" instead of "which" in non-restrictive clauses. "Which" introduces additional, non-essential information, while "that" is used for essential information. For example, "The letters, which were sent last week, arrived today" (correct) versus "The letters that were sent last week arrived today" (incorrect, unless specifying a subset of letters).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which were sent" functions as a non-restrictive relative clause, providing additional, non-essential information about a previously mentioned noun. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which were sent" is a grammatically correct and frequently used relative clause that adds non-essential information to a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, highlighting its function across diverse contexts such as News & Media, Academia, and Science. The phrase is best used to provide additional detail without altering the sentence's core meaning, and it's important to differentiate its usage from the restrictive clause "that were sent". By following these guidelines, writers can effectively incorporate "which were sent" into their writing for clarity and enhanced description.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that had been dispatched

Replaces "which were sent" with "that had been dispatched", using a different verb to convey the action of sending.

that were forwarded

Substitutes "sent" with "forwarded", implying a re-direction or passing along of something.

that had been transmitted

Replaces "which were sent" with "that had been transmitted", using a more formal term often used for data or signals.

that got mailed

Uses a more informal verb, "mailed", suitable for contexts involving postal delivery.

that were conveyed

A more formal alternative, using "conveyed" instead of "sent" to imply the transportation of something.

that were issued

Replaces "sent" with "issued", implying an official or formal distribution.

that were directed

Suggests a specific destination or recipient, replacing "sent" with "directed".

that were remitted

Replaces "sent" with "remitted", which is often used in financial contexts to describe sending money.

that were handed over

Uses the phrasal verb "handed over" to suggest a physical transfer of items.

that were broadcast

Suggests a wide distribution of information, differing from a direct, single sending action.

FAQs

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

Use "which were sent" to provide additional, non-essential information about something already mentioned. For example, "The emails, "which were sent" on Monday, contained the updated schedule".

What is a good alternative to "which were sent"?

Alternatives include "that were forwarded", "that had been dispatched", or "that were transmitted", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

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

"Which were sent" introduces a non-restrictive clause, adding extra information, while "that were sent" introduces a restrictive clause, defining the noun. For instance, "The packages, "which were sent" by air, arrived quickly" versus "The packages "that were sent" by air arrived quickly (but others didn't)".

Is it correct to say "that were sent" instead of "which were sent"?

It depends on the context. "That were sent" is appropriate for restrictive clauses that define the noun, while "which were sent" is for non-restrictive clauses that add extra information. Choose based on whether the clause is essential to the sentence's meaning.