a certain change

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a certain change" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific but unspecified change that is relevant to the context. Example: "The project requires a certain change in approach to meet the new deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

We therefore will see a certain change in the content offered via pay-TV".

The Guardian

"It just sort of captured a certain change that was in the air," he said.

The New York Times

There is a certain change going on," 26-year-old Nas Chin told the Associated Press after dancing at a secure pride event.

The Guardian

"Do you care how much he costs?" the producer demanded "Get him!" A writer was bitterly opposed to a certain change being made in his script.

The New Yorker

A certain change in mindset is happening thanks to the work of organisations like Handicap International and the creation of RAPHB, a network of disabled people's organisations, which I work for.

The Guardian

—Nancy Pelosi to Eric Cantor on Twitter "With every tragedy comes something good, and obviously the tragedy of Tucson and Gabrielle Giffords has brought about a certain change in the atmosphere".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

There are four different possibilities to change the state defined by the parameters c i, h i, and k of the spline describing the effective population size N e (t): 1. varying the position of a change-point (i.e. internal node), 2. changing the height at a certain change-point, 3. generating a new change-point ("birth" step), and 4. deleting an existent change-point ("death" step).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

For each patient, we evaluated change in the tremor amplitude for a certain phase change.

Brain

If you have to change yourself to fit in with a certain group, change your circle of friends!

WikiHow

Drugs function by binding to specific locations on target molecules and causing a certain desired change, such as disabling the target or causing a conformational change.

Wikipedia

Cusum belongs to the category of the Cusum algorithms, detecting changes of a certain distribution (change-point detection), and it has been widely used in the literature for anomaly-based intrusion detection (e.g. [5, 11, 26 28]).

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a certain change" when you want to acknowledge that a change is happening or required without specifying the details. This is useful when the specific nature of the change is not yet known or not relevant to the current discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "a certain change" repeatedly in close proximity without providing further clarification or context. This can make your writing vague and unclear. If the change is significant, provide more details or use a more descriptive phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a certain change" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to a specific alteration or modification, without explicitly defining its nature. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a certain change" is a versatile phrase used to denote an unspecified alteration or modification. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usability across varied contexts. While highly frequent, it's best employed when specifics are either unknown or intentionally omitted. Alternatives such as "a specific change" or "a particular change" can offer more precision when needed. Avoid overuse to maintain clarity and context in your writing. Its frequent appearance in Science and News & Media reflects its utility in both technical and general discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a specific change

Replaces "certain" with "specific", indicating a defined change without detailing it.

a particular change

Substitutes "certain" with "particular", emphasizing a distinct or individual change.

a given change

Uses "given" instead of "certain", suggesting a change that is assumed or predetermined.

a definite change

Replaces "certain" with "definite", highlighting the clear and unambiguous nature of the change.

a noticeable change

Substitutes "certain" with "noticeable", focusing on the ease with which the change can be observed.

a distinct change

Uses "distinct" instead of "certain", indicating a clear and easily identifiable difference.

a marked change

Replaces "certain" with "marked", emphasizing the significance or prominence of the change.

a subtle change

Substitutes "certain" with "subtle", suggesting a change that is delicate or understated.

an unspecified change

Uses "unspecified" instead of "certain", directly indicating that the nature of the change is not detailed.

an undefined change

Replaces "certain" with "undefined", emphasizing that the characteristics of the change are not yet determined.

FAQs

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

Use "a certain change" when you want to refer to a specific, but not explicitly defined, alteration or modification. For example, "The project requires "a certain change" in strategy to succeed."

What are some alternatives to "a certain change"?

You can use alternatives like "a specific change", "a particular change", or "a noticeable change" depending on the context.

Is "a certain change" formal or informal?

"A certain change" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more precise language may be preferred in highly formal or technical writing.

What's the difference between "a certain change" and "a significant change"?

"A certain change" simply indicates that some change is occurring, without specifying its importance. "A significant change" implies that the change is substantial and noteworthy.