In certain terms

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "In certain terms" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when discussing specific conditions or definitions, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "In certain terms, the agreement can be interpreted as a mutual understanding between both parties."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The two nations are close in certain terms of history, too.

The New York Times

"We certainly work with frameworks that guarantee a certain amount of failure, or failure in certain terms, but I think we're always trying to succeed.

The Guardian

"He did say in certain terms that 'I think the law should be changed,' " Eric Hegedus, vice president of the journalists association, recalled yesterday.

The New York Times

Contact between Greeks and Semites goes back to Minoan and Mycenaean times and is reflected in certain terms used by Homer and other early Greek authors.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In order to conserve mass, a modification to the vorticity velocity formulation is proposed, involving the substitution of the kinematic definition of vorticity in certain terms of the fluid-dynamic equations.

Journal of Computational Physics

So you have 99 of 100 climate scientists who have come out and talked about climate change in certain terms, what is responsible for it.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

In addition, certain terms in the Burnett equations allow unphysical effects in gas flow.

Journal of Computational Physics

Maggie confronts Carrie as soon as she walks in the door and in no certain terms, calls her out for being a bad mother.

Huffington Post

The owner of the company guaranteed us, in very certain terms, that his company would be in total compliance with the law going forward.

The New York Times

The Sisulu children and grandchildren were astounded and incensed by Mandela's suggestion and told Walter in no certain terms how they felt.

The Guardian

But McDonald in recent weeks has faced criticism for having expressed this view, and the police force is now reportedly unprepared to back the testimony in such certain terms.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace "in certain terms" with "in specific terms" or "in particular terms" for enhanced clarity. Using alternatives improves the overall readability of your writing and helps avoid awkward phrasing.

Common error

Avoid using "in certain terms" as a filler phrase without specifying what those terms are. This can make your writing vague and less impactful. Always ensure the terms are either explicitly stated or clearly implied by the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in certain terms" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or adjective, introducing a condition or qualification. Ludwig examples show its usage across diverse contexts, indicating its adaptability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

36%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in certain terms" is a prepositional phrase used to introduce conditions or qualifications, but its use requires careful consideration. As Ludwig AI points out, while grammatically acceptable, it can often be replaced by more precise language to enhance clarity. Its frequency is uncommon, appearing primarily in news and media and scientific contexts. When employing "in certain terms", ensure that the specific terms are well-defined and the context is clear to avoid vagueness. Opting for alternatives like "in specific terms" or "under specific conditions" can often lead to more effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In definite conditions

Similar to "in certain terms" but provides greater clarity and precision.

Under specific conditions

Focuses on the conditional aspect, highlighting that something is true only when specific conditions are met.

In limited circumstances

Highlights that the statement or situation is only applicable in a few cases.

Within defined parameters

Emphasizes the existence of set boundaries or parameters that limit the scope of something.

Subject to particular stipulations

Highlights that something is contingent upon specific requirements or stipulations.

Given certain limitations

Focuses on acknowledging the existence of constraints or restrictions.

With specific provisos

Implies that certain conditions or qualifications must be considered.

Based on specified criteria

Emphasizes that something is judged or determined according to predefined criteria.

In particular aspects

Focuses on the specificity of the aspects being considered.

To a certain extent

This phrase suggests a partial or limited agreement or applicability.

FAQs

What does "in certain terms" mean?

The phrase "in certain terms" indicates that a statement or situation is true or applicable only under specific conditions or with specific limitations. It's often used to introduce a qualification or restriction to a general statement.

How can I use "in certain terms" in a sentence?

You can use "in certain terms" to specify the conditions under which something is valid. For example, "The agreement is beneficial, "in certain terms", provided that all parties adhere to the outlined responsibilities."

What can I say instead of "in certain terms"?

You can use alternatives like "under specific conditions", "with specific provisos", or "in particular aspects" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "in specific terms" or "in certain terms"?

"In specific terms" is generally preferred over "in certain terms" as it provides greater clarity and precision. While both phrases indicate specificity, "in specific terms" is less vague and more direct.