Google Ngram viewer shows that the phrase "the ways in which" is common in English books. <br/><br/>Please is there a difference between "the ways in which" and just "the ways"?<br/><br/>Following is an example of its use:<br/><br/>"Access to the Internet shapes the ways in which individuals use the technology."<br/><br/>Does is it make a difference, if we simply say:<br/><br/>Access to the Internet shapes the ways individuals use the technology.<br/><br/>Thank you.