which would mean

USAGE SUMMARY

"which would mean" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to provide clarification on or explain the implications of an earlier statement. For example, "She requested an extra day off, which would mean going over her allotted vacation time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Which would mean that's, we'll call it unconstitutional.

The Washington Post

Both of which would mean the end of his job.

The New Yorker

Which would mean Republicans will head into the 2016 election without having repaired their Latino problem.

The Washington Post

Is it the once-momentous red line, which would mean war?

The Washington Post

And it is a curse to even think, "Why bother?," which would mean abandoning the fight.

The New York Times

Labor also seems likely to block the plebiscite, which would mean it could not proceed.

The Guardian

Out went tasks like building a human pyramid, which would mean physical contact.

The New York Times

That's "well" by the standards of this place, which would mean "stunning" almost anywhere else.

The Guardian

That's a big disparity, which would mean a 72.9 crore debut.

The Guardian - Film

Or was it 1948, which would mean 54 years had passed?

The New York Times - Arts

Which would mean, of course, that one war has ended and now another has begun.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which would mean", ensure the 'which' clearly refers to the immediately preceding clause for clarity. Avoid ambiguity by rephrasing if the reference is unclear.

Common error

Avoid using 'that' instead of 'which' in nonrestrictive clauses (clauses that add extra information but are not essential to the sentence's meaning). 'Which' is appropriate in these cases, while 'that' should be used for restrictive clauses that are crucial to the sentence's meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which would mean" functions as a conjunctive phrase that introduces a consequence, implication, or result stemming from a preceding clause. As Ludwig AI says, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which would mean" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to introduce the consequences or implications of a prior statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and frequent across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media. While highly common, it's crucial to ensure the 'which' clearly refers to the intended clause, and to use 'which' rather than 'that' in nonrestrictive clauses. By understanding its function and common pitfalls, writers can effectively use "which would mean" to enhance clarity and provide additional context in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this entails that

This alternative is more formal and indicates a necessary consequence.

that implies that

This alternative is more formal and directly states the implication.

therefore

A formal adverb emphasizing the logical conclusion.

this indicates that

This version is more observational, pointing out what the previous statement suggests.

it follows that

This phrase shows a logical progression from one point to another.

that suggests that

This phrase softens the implication, making it less direct.

as a result

This phrase explicitly states the cause-and-effect relationship.

that signifies that

This alternative emphasizes the symbolic or indicative nature of the consequence.

consequently

This is a single-word adverb that highlights the resulting effect.

so that

This phrase is more concise and directly connects the cause and effect.

FAQs

How can I use "which would mean" in a sentence?

Use "which would mean" to introduce the result or consequence of a situation or action described in the preceding clause. For example, "The company decided to downsize, "which would mean" laying off several employees."

What are some alternatives to "which would mean"?

You can use phrases like "that implies that", "this indicates that", or "as a result" to express a similar meaning.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "which would mean"?

Starting a sentence directly with "which would mean" is generally not recommended. "Which" should refer back to a previous clause. You can rephrase the sentence to include the preceding context or use an alternative construction.

What's the difference between "which would mean" and "which means"?

"Which would mean" describes a hypothetical or potential outcome, while "which means" describes a current or definite outcome. For example, "If we invest in new equipment, "which would mean" increased productivity" (hypothetical) vs. "The company is expanding, "which means" more job openings" (current).