a certain answer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a certain answer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific answer that is known or expected in a particular context. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, I was confident that there was a certain answer to the mystery we were trying to solve."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

When she wants to make a point and needs a certain answer, she gets it.

The New York Times - Arts

The decisions of the Florida courts do not give a certain answer.

The New York Times

A certain answer is probably weeks away — leaving the campaign strategists to pull out their hair for a while longer.

The New York Times

Also, their process makes it clear where in the organization a certain answer to a question will be welcomed and where it will be resisted.

Harvard Business Review

Many questions can be answered by reading through the website (see our frequently asked questions), but if you cannot find a certain answer, the members of ESP are happy to answer any questions you might have about our programs.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"As for homosexuals in our country, we have not yet discovered this form of violence, so to give you a certain answer, it can be said that people who cohabit does not include homosexuals".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

While Mr. Axelrod said Mr. Obama simply never found an opportunity, another aide offered another suggestion: To have done so would have given Mr. Romney an opening to undo the political damage of the remarks with a certain, planned answer before a huge television audience of 67.2 million.

The New York Times

There is no certain answer.

The Washington Post

The historian Mike Wallace, an author of "Gotham: A History of New York City to 1898," said a "for-certain" answer about what the Strand was like in 1912 was elusive.

The New York Times

To a certain extent, answers to the question of the value of friendship might seem to provide answers to the question of the justification of friendship.

SEP

Our model of social network is inspired by question answer networks [38] where knowledge is shared from expert agents (with respect to a certain topic) answering questions received from less skilled ones.

Computational Social Networks

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a certain answer", ensure the context clarifies what makes the answer 'certain'. Avoid vagueness by providing supporting evidence or reasoning.

Common error

Avoid using "a certain answer" when the response is actually speculative or based on limited evidence. This can mislead readers into believing there's a definitive solution when one doesn't exist.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a certain answer" functions as a noun phrase, where 'certain' modifies the noun 'answer'. Ludwig shows that it describes a specific, definite, or predetermined response to a question or situation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a certain answer" is used to denote a response that is definite, assured, or expected. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. The usage analysis reveals that while not exceptionally frequent, it appears across authoritative sources like the The New York Times, MIT, and The Guardian, and the phrase maintains a neutral register, fitting in news, academic, and general discussions.

When employing this phrase, it's important to ensure the context provides clarity about the nature of the 'certainty' being expressed. Overstating this certainty without proper justification can be misleading. Alternatives like "a definitive response" or "a guaranteed solution" can be considered to provide greater precision based on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a particular response

Indicates a specific and distinct answer.

a definitive response

Emphasizes the conclusiveness and finality of the answer.

a sure conclusion

Highlights the confidence and certainty in the answer.

a precise reply

Focuses on the accuracy and exactness of the answer.

a conclusive finding

Emphasizes the result of an investigation or analysis.

a guaranteed solution

Highlights the assurance and reliability of the answer.

a specific resolution

Focuses on the detailed and clear nature of the answer.

an established fact

Presents the answer as a verified and undisputed truth.

an exact determination

Highlights the careful and accurate establishment of the answer.

a fixed outcome

Stresses the predetermined nature of the answer.

FAQs

What does "a certain answer" mean?

The phrase "a certain answer" refers to an answer that is definite, assured, or predetermined in a given context. It implies a level of confidence or expectation about the response.

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

You can use "a certain answer" to indicate that a particular question has a definitive or expected response. For example: "After analyzing the data, we arrived at a certain answer regarding the cause of the malfunction."

What are some alternatives to "a certain answer"?

Alternatives include "a definitive response", "a guaranteed solution", or "a precise reply", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a certain answer" or "the certain answer"?

The choice between "a certain answer" and "the certain answer" depends on the context. Use "a certain answer" when referring to one of many possible answers, while "the certain answer" implies that there is only one correct or expected answer.