a certain chapter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a certain chapter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific chapter in a book or document without naming it directly. Example: "In a certain chapter, the author discusses the impact of technology on society."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Sorry, guys.' It's not until you look back that you realize a certain chapter was ending — the time when we were just hanging out with our friends and having all the time in the world — and another is starting.

The New York Times - Magazine

At the time it felt like it was the end of a certain chapter of my career, and I wanted to revisit those songs and see if they held up as songs.

The New Yorker

"You can look at a certain scar and you know it is from a certain chapter in my life," she said.

Vice

The goal in reading the Word shouldn't be to get to a certain chapter, but to meet Jesus along the way.

Huffington Post

When told that an English class would be discussing a certain chapter the next day, she would try to read that chapter and answer the questions before the discussions.

Los Angeles Times

When you work on a big project you may find yourself stuck on a certain chapter.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

In a way, certain chapters of this conflict have unfolded like a bad script, since so many times, when Mr. Kony and his band of killers have been surrounded in the bush, facing superior firepower, with the credits about to roll, he escapes.

The New York Times

If there is an introduction in the book about that certain chapter, read it so that you have an idea of what it will be about.

WikiHow

To a certain degree chapter ten may be characterized as a deviation from the rest of the book as it deals with EC Corporate Regulation and Barriers to Takeovers". The last chapter concerns the likely development of merger control in the Community.

Columbia University

Instead, Mr. Rosselló petitioned for relief under Title III of the Promesa law, which contains certain Chapter 9 bankruptcy provisions but also recognizes that, unlike the cities and counties that use Chapter 9, Puerto Rico is not part of any state and must in some ways be treated as a sovereign.

The New York Times

You can convert all selected chapters, or you can also highlight certain chapter you want to convert.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a certain chapter" when you want to refer to a specific part of a book or document without explicitly naming it, often to create a sense of mystery or to avoid being too direct.

Common error

Avoid using "a certain chapter" excessively in formal writing, as it can sound vague. If the chapter is relevant to your point, consider naming it directly for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a certain chapter" functions as a determiner phrase modifying the noun "chapter". It specifies that the chapter is particular but does not name it directly. As Ludwig AI suggests, this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a certain chapter" is a grammatically correct way to refer to a specific part of a book or document without naming it directly. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of this phrase. It is most commonly found in news and media, wiki articles, and academic contexts. While "a certain chapter" is not overly formal, it's important to avoid overusing it, as doing so may reduce clarity. Related phrases include ""a specific chapter"" and ""one particular chapter"". When using "a certain chapter", ensure that the context provides enough information to understand which chapter you are referring to, or that the specific chapter is unimportant to the point you are making.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a specific chapter

Replaces "certain" with "specific" for emphasis on particularity.

one particular chapter

Substitutes "certain" with "particular", adding a slight emphasis.

one chapter

Simplifies the phrase, omitting "certain" for brevity while maintaining core meaning.

a given chapter

Uses "given" to indicate a chapter that is already known or under consideration.

a designated chapter

Replaces "certain" with "designated", implying the chapter has been officially chosen.

a selected chapter

Substitutes "certain" with "selected", suggesting the chapter was picked from a group.

that chapter

Uses "that" to indicate a chapter already mentioned or known to both the speaker and the listener.

a section

Uses "section" to refer to a part of a book, which is a more generic word than "chapter".

a segment

Uses "segment" to denote a part of the text.

a portion

Uses "portion" as a general term for a part of a text, such as a chapter.

FAQs

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

You can use "a certain chapter" to refer to a specific part of a book or document without explicitly naming it. For example, "In "a certain chapter", the author explores the theme of isolation."

What are some alternatives to "a certain chapter"?

Alternatives include "a specific chapter", "one particular chapter", or "a designated chapter", depending on the context.

Is it better to name the chapter directly instead of using "a certain chapter"?

In formal writing, naming the chapter directly often provides more clarity. However, ""a certain chapter"" can be useful when you don't want to reveal the specific chapter or when the exact chapter isn't crucial to your point.

When is it appropriate to use "a certain chapter" in writing?

It is appropriate when you want to maintain a level of generality or when the precise chapter isn't as important as the content it contains. It's often used to pique interest or to avoid being overly specific.