a certain category of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a certain category of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific group or type within a broader classification. Example: "The study focused on a certain category of plants that thrive in arid environments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

It's dangerous when you start pointing fingers at a certain category of people, thus digging trenches of hatred between us.

The Guardian

That may be good for a certain category of Washington conventional-wisdom arbiter, but it isn't good for the country.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is also the home base for a certain category of American celebrities who seem to exist solely as a unifying, if uninspiring, national force.

The New York Times

"There's a certain category of employer that feels it's appropriate to use the statutes enacted as a shield to protect the workers as a sword against them".

The New York Times

Would it not be useful if you considered putting me on some group or commission where I would be officially privy to a certain category of secrecy.

The New Yorker

"When you look like I do — gaunt, craggy, let's say 'interesting' — you do tend to fall into a certain category of roles," he sighs.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

The purpose was to explore the effect of belonging to a certain category on assessment of the level of health and human rights observance.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

No matter how much someone doesn't believe they fit into a certain category because of the way they look.

HuffPost

The incidence of AEs is calculated as the number of patients who experienced at least one AE of a certain category as a percentage of the total number of patients in the safety population.

BMC Cancer

The incidence of toxicity and adverse events (AEs) was calculated as the number of patients who experienced at least one toxicity/AE of a certain category as a percentage of the total number of patients.

British Journal of Cancer

Bayesian statistics can be used to indicate the likelihood of an item falling within a certain category or range of values.

BMC Veterinary Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a certain category of", ensure that the context makes it clear what the distinguishing characteristics of that category are. Avoid vagueness.

Common error

Avoid using "a certain category of" when a more specific term would be more informative and precise. Using a broad category when specific details are available diminishes clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a certain category of" functions as a determiner phrase identifying a subset within a larger group. Ludwig AI shows its usage across various domains, indicating its general applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a certain category of" is a versatile tool for specifying a subset within a larger group, as affirmed by Ludwig. It maintains a neutral tone suitable for diverse writing contexts. While alternatives like "a specific type of" or "a particular kind of" exist, this phrase is valuable when acknowledging a specific group without needing to explicitly name it. The key is to ensure the context provides sufficient clarity regarding the category being referenced. Its widespread use in news, scientific, and academic sources confirms its reliability and appropriateness for various writing needs. Thus, while a specific term is often preferable, "a certain category of" serves as a useful means for referring to particular groupings in a general way.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a specific type of

Replaces "category" with "type", emphasizing the distinct nature of the group.

a particular kind of

Substitutes "category" with "kind", highlighting the uniqueness of the group.

a given class of

Replaces "certain category" with "given class", providing a more formal tone.

a definite group of

Emphasizes the distinct and well-defined nature of the group.

a specific classification of

Uses the more technical term "classification" to highlight the act of categorizing.

a selected segment of

Implies a deliberate choice or selection within the broader group.

a designated set of

Highlights that the category has been officially or formally identified.

a determined subset of

Uses the term "subset" indicating that the category is a part of a larger whole.

a defined area of

Changes from category to area, implying scope.

a precise division of

Highlights accuracy by substituting with precise.

FAQs

How can I use "a certain category of" in a sentence?

Use "a certain category of" to refer to a specific, but not necessarily named, grouping within a larger set. For example, "The study focused on a certain category of plants that thrive in arid environments".

What can I say instead of "a certain category of"?

You can use alternatives like "a specific type of", "a particular kind of", or "a given class of" depending on the context.

Is it better to be specific instead of using "a certain category of"?

In many cases, yes. If you know the exact name or characteristics of the category, it's better to use that information. However, "a certain category of" is useful when you want to acknowledge the existence of a specific grouping without naming it directly.

What's the difference between "a certain category of" and "a specific category of"?

The difference is subtle. "A specific category of" implies you have a particular category in mind, while "a certain category of" can also imply that the category is known but not explicitly defined in the current context.