wherein

Meanings

1. 1adverbnot comparableformallegal

   In which place, situation or document, introducing more detail about something just mentioned.

   Grammar: Introduces a clause after a noun: a contract wherein both sides agree.

   Patterns

   • a situation wherein something

   The contract has a clause wherein the buyer agrees to pay in full.

   He described a system wherein every student has a mentor.

   She wrote a story wherein a cat becomes mayor.

2. 2adverbnot comparablearchaic

   In what way or respect, used in questions.

   Grammar: Very old-fashioned; begins a question.

   Wherein have I wronged you?

   Wherein lies the difference between the two plans?

Common combinations

a system wherein

They designed a system wherein tasks are shared equally.

a contract wherein

It is a contract wherein the tenant promises to pay.

a case wherein

There was a case wherein a witness changed his story.

a world wherein

She imagined a world wherein nobody was hungry.

a situation wherein

It is a situation wherein everyone loses.

Synonyms and how they differ

in which

In which is the everyday equivalent and works in speech, while wherein sounds formal.

where

Where is simpler and more natural, though it is less precise for a document or system.

whereby

Whereby means by which, and focuses on method, while wherein means in which.

Word family

whereby adverb

by which

whereas conjunction

in contrast with the fact that

wherefore adverb

for what reason, archaic

therein adverb

in that place or document

Commonly confused: wherein or whereby?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “wherein”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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