Which in turn – Meaning, Punctuation & Usage (5 good examples)

Let’s face it; you’ve probably heard of the phrase “which in turn” before, but you might not know too much more about it than just how to use it in a context. However, there is a meaning that can go along with it that we’ll look at now and some of the best ways for you to include it in a sentence.

What Does “Which In Turn” Mean?

“Which in turn” means “because of that” in the most basic form. The two phrases are synonymous with each other, though “which in turn” could be extended further to mean something like “one after the other.” “Which” is commonly used to replace “that,” but only in certain scenarios. It gives a bit of a time-based meaning to the phrase, rather than just a way to explain something because of something else.

It’s most common to find this phrase used in more formal settings. It can be difficult to say a phrase like this to a group of friends, even when you’re explaining something because it’s just not used very often. The most common place to find “which in turn” in use is usually in a business meeting, where you’re presenting some findings or something similar that have a direct impact on something else.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you should be restricted from using the phrase. Just like any other phrase, it’s important to have them in your vocabularic arsenal should the situation present itself that would require them to be used. It’s good to have a phrase like “which in turn” on the back burner, ready to wow the listeners when you throw it at them.

5 Examples Of When You Can Say “Which In Turn?”

Now, let’s take a look at some of the best examples for when you can say “which in turn.” The phrase is most easily identified as a cause-effect sentence. If you don’t know what that means, basically, something causes the effect of something else in the clause. It’s an excellent way to identify when it’s used if you can remember that. All of that pretty much stems from the “in turn” portion of the phrase.

• Chocolate gives us a euphoric sensation when we eat it, which in turn makes us feel happy.
• You can exchange money for goods or services that fulfill your needs and wants, which in turn brings you happiness.
• The windows let in a lot of natural light, which in turn makes the room extremely hot.
• Exercising releases endorphins into your system, which in turn makes you feel fantastic.
• Even tea contains traces of caffeine, which in turn can make it difficult to sleep if consumed later at night.

These are just some of the ways you can use “which in turn” in a sentence. As you can see, all of these sentences are factual and demonstrating a particular effect of each of the sentences. You can’t really get away with saying something that isn’t factual or is more colloquial when you say “which in turn,” as you’re almost always referring to what happens due to something else.

Which In Turn, Which, In Turn, Or Which, In Turn – Where Does The Comma Go?

Let’s get on to the comma placement now. Which one of the phrases in the title is the most correct? Well, the answer is that two of them are correct, and it really boils down to personal preference for how you intend on using them. Let’s ignore the last phrase, where it says “which, in turn” with no comma after “turn.” Instead, we’ll look at the other two.

If we take one of the sentences above and look at them with the commas and without, we’ll see shortly what is meant by personal preference. Take this phrase:

• Exercising releases endorphins into your system, which in turn makes you feel fantastic.

This is the most common way to use the “which in turn” phrase in a sentence. There is a comma before the “which,” but there isn’t another comma in the clause. That’s how it should be used when you’re trying to say that something happened because of something else. Since “which in turn” is a synonym of “because of that,” it makes sense that it would work like this. Now, look at the clause with commas after “which” and “turn.”

• Exercising releases endorphins into your system, which, in turn, makes you feel fantastic.

This way also works, though if you’re going to place a comma after “which,” you need to place a second one after “turn.” However, not everyone likes to use this one because the “in turn” portion becomes nonessential. In fact, you can completely remove it and still give the same meaning in the sentence.

• Exercising releases endorphins into your system, which makes you feel fantastic.

All in all, both ways are used to mean roughly the same thing. Something causes an effect on something else. Either “which in turn,” “which, in turn,” or just “which” are interchangeable and based on your own writing or speaking preferences.

“Which In Turn” Synonyms

We’ll finish with some synonyms that you could use in replacement of “which in turn.” Again, you won’t often find these anywhere besides a clause or sentence that is factual and used to explain something, but it’s worth knowing what you might be able to replace “which in turn” with should you need to.

• Because of this

We’ve already covered it, and it’s the most suitable replacement for the phrase. It’s another saying that means something is happening because of something else.

• Which leads to

Another way to say it, including the “which” part of the phrase but changing the rest. It just shows that something has lead to the development of something else.

• As a result of this

Another formal way of saying “which in turn” is commonplace in most business or academic presentations.

• Thereby

A rather more eloquent variation that can be used to show your colleagues you know what you’re talking about. However, it’s a little bit outdated these days.