Certain people

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Certain people" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific group of individuals without naming them directly, often implying that they share a common characteristic or behavior. Example: "Certain people believe that success is solely determined by hard work, while others think luck plays a significant role."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Certain people expect certain prices".

The New York Times

Certain people are not.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Certain people have that kind of charisma.

The New York Times - Arts

Certain people say that Diaghilev staged it.

The New Yorker

"Certain people can keep a word tune, so to speak, and certain people cannot.

The New Yorker

Certain people pull up certain notes faster".

The New York Times - Style

Certain people have been… disposed of.

The Guardian

"Certain people pay the consequences.

Science Magazine

Certain people can control some of their dreams.

Language Testing in Asia

Certain people stopped taking her phone calls.

Huffington Post

Certain people were very open to it.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Certain people" when you want to refer to a group without explicitly naming them, implying they share a common trait or characteristic that's relevant to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "Certain people" too frequently without providing any context or clarification, as it can make your writing vague and uninformative. If possible, try to provide more specific details about the group you're referring to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Certain people" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It is used to refer to a subset of individuals without explicitly naming them. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "Certain people" is a versatile noun phrase used to refer to a specific, but unnamed, group of individuals. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Its communicative purpose lies in generalizing about a group without the need for explicit identification. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, and holds a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences. While useful, writers should avoid overuse and strive for greater specificity when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Some individuals

Replaces "certain" with a more general term, focusing on individual persons.

Particular individuals

Emphasizes the specificity of the people being referred to.

Specific persons

Highlights the definiteness of the individuals in question.

A number of people

Indicates a subset of individuals, without specifying their exact nature.

Select individuals

Suggests a careful choice or distinction among people.

Designated people

Highlights that individuals have been assigned or chosen for a specific reason.

Identified persons

Emphasizes the recognition or singling out of specific individuals.

A few individuals

Indicates a smaller, unspecified number of people.

Some members

Specifies individuals belonging to a particular group or organization.

Those individuals

Refers to individuals previously mentioned or understood in the context.

FAQs

How can I use "Certain people" in a sentence?

You can use "Certain people" to refer to a group of individuals without explicitly naming them. For example, "Certain people enjoy classical music, while others prefer pop."

What are some alternatives to "Certain people"?

Alternatives to "Certain people" include phrases like "some individuals", "particular individuals", or "specific persons", depending on the desired level of specificity.

Is it better to use "Certain people" or a more specific term?

It depends on the context. "Certain people" is useful when the specific identity of the group is not important or known. If you can be more specific without being overly detailed, it may improve clarity.

What's the difference between "Certain people" and "Some people"?

"Certain people" often implies that the group has a shared characteristic or reason for being singled out, while "some people" is a more general reference to an unspecified subset of individuals.