a certain character

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a certain character" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a specific character without naming them. For example, "The book introduces a certain character who embarks on a perilous journey."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sideways, back view, whatever: they all have a certain character.

The Guardian - Books

But it had a certain charm, a certain character.

The New York Times

Baby Wilson already had a certain character that I found agreeable.

The New Yorker

"Lawmakers should be people of a certain character and caliber," Ms. Shankar said.

The New York Times

He will give his music a certain character and then rip it away from you.

The New York Times - Arts

But even a simple declarative sentence can convey a certain character.

The New York Times - Books

(The death of a certain character sneakily leaves open a comeback possibility).

The Guardian - Film

Q: Were you ever concerned you could get pigeonholed into a certain character from your comedy roles?

Independent

You have to have a certain character about yourself to still pull for your teammates when you're not in there.

The New York Times - Sports

It takes a certain character to be a great Ryder Cup player and Poulter has that character".

The Guardian - Sport

"When I sit down to talk to men's magazines, there's a certain character that I play," she explained.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a certain character" when you want to refer to someone without explicitly naming them, adding an element of mystery or generality to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a certain character" excessively in formal or academic writing where precise language is preferred. Instead, opt for more specific terms or names.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a certain character" functions primarily as a determiner phrase modifying a noun. It specifies an individual or entity without explicitly naming it. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is a grammatically correct way to introduce an element of generality or mystery. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in describing people, roles, or figures in narratives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

35%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a certain character" is a versatile phrase used to refer to an individual or entity without explicitly naming them. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and Ludwig's examples illustrate its frequent use across diverse contexts, from news articles to creative writing. Its primary function is to introduce vagueness or anonymity, adding a layer of mystery or generality to your writing. While acceptable in neutral and informal settings, it's advisable to use more specific language in formal or academic contexts to maintain precision. When seeking alternatives, consider phrases like "a particular individual" or "a specific person" to tailor your language to the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a particular individual

Replaces "character" with the more formal "individual" and "certain" with "particular", focusing on a specific but unnamed person.

a specific person

Substitutes "character" with "person" and "certain" with "specific", emphasizing the unique identity of the individual.

a definite personality

Replaces "character" with "personality" and "certain" with "definite", highlighting the distinct traits of someone.

a distinct figure

Changes "character" to "figure" and "certain" to "distinct", presenting a clear and recognizable persona.

a unique identity

Replaces "character" with "identity" and "certain" with "unique", focusing on the unparalleled attributes of someone.

a given persona

Substitutes "character" with "persona" and "certain" with "given", indicating an assumed or presented identity.

a notable type

Changes "character" to "type" and "certain" to "notable", emphasizing a remarkable category of person.

a remarkable trait

Shifts the focus to a specific attribute by using "trait" instead of "character" and replacing "certain" with "remarkable".

an individual quality

Focuses on an individualistic aspect, replacing "character" with "quality" and using "individual" to emphasize uniqueness.

a peculiar sort

Replaces "character" with "sort" and "certain" with "peculiar", highlighting an odd or unusual kind of person.

FAQs

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

You can use "a certain character" to refer to someone without naming them. For instance, "A certain character in the novel demonstrates great resilience."

What are some alternatives to "a certain character"?

Alternatives include "a particular individual", "a specific person", or "a definite personality", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a certain character" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, using "a certain character" might be too vague for academic writing. Consider using more specific terms unless you intentionally want to keep the character unnamed.

What does "a certain character" imply?

"A certain character" suggests that the speaker knows who they are referring to, but chooses not to reveal their identity, or that the identity is not important for the context.