a certain choice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a certain choice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific option or decision among many, often implying some level of ambiguity or discretion. Example: "After much deliberation, I finally made a certain choice that I believe will benefit my career."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

"If people say that because you have a certain choice of repertoire, this must be connected with your political view, this is a sick thing.

The Guardian

FOOTE -- I think what's wonderful about the Signature Theater is that it's eclectic: it doesn't demand one kind of playwright or a certain choice of play.

The New York Times

Fehr conveniently forgot that Pete Rose, a certain choice for the Hall of Fame, was confronted with a unilateral demand by Commissioner Bart Giamatti in 1989 with evidence of illegal gambling.

The New York Times

If a certain choice presupposes something false about the basic goods, then it responds defectively to them.

SEP

"People working in our industry make a certain choice," he explains (see the profile of Sandrine Decoster).

Science Magazine

It is shown that the design leads to strictly passive controllers for a certain choice of the design parameters.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

As a result certain choices in software design are taken implicitly, resulting in dedicated functions for which comparing and adapting the algorithm requires a significant effort.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

It is especially difficult when we are surrounded by people who have all made a certain lifestyle choice and question the validity of other choices.

Science Magazine

This contradiction of feminisation on the one side and few graduates choosing for general practice on the other, raises the question on how gender is related to specialty choice and what other factors contribute to a certain specialty choice.

BMC Health Services Research

After a certain point choice is reduced.

The New York Times

To a certain extent, choice weakens the appeal of what parents actually have on offer, serving to underscore an assumption that education as a whole is failing.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a certain choice" when you want to indicate that a selection has been made, but the specific details of that selection are either not important or not yet revealed.

Common error

Avoid using "a certain choice" excessively in highly formal or academic writing where more precise language is expected. Opt for stronger alternatives like "a specific option" or "the selected approach" to enhance clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a certain choice" functions as a determiner phrase followed by a noun, acting as a noun phrase modifier. It identifies a specific, but not explicitly defined, option or decision among various possibilities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and usable in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a certain choice" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to denote a specific option or decision without providing explicit details. As Ludwig AI pointed out, it’s suitable for various contexts, though it might be beneficial to opt for more precise language in highly formal writing. The phrase appears frequently in scientific, news, and business contexts. Alternatives include "a specific option" or "a particular selection". The key is to use it when the details of the choice are either not important or not yet revealed, balancing clarity with the intended level of ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a specific option

Replaces "certain" with "specific", emphasizing the defined nature of the selection.

a particular selection

Substitutes "choice" with "selection", providing a slightly more formal tone.

a given selection

Replaces 'certain' with 'given', implying the choice is predetermined or established.

a definite decision

Uses "definite" instead of "certain" and "decision" instead of "choice", highlighting the resoluteness of the action.

a pre determined selection

Replaces 'choice' with 'selection' and specifies that the selection was pre determined.

a set choice

Replaces 'certain' with 'set', meaning that there are fixed possibilities.

a precise choice

Changes "certain" to "precise", implying that the selection is accurate and well-defined.

a concrete option

Changes "certain" to "concrete", implying the selection is real and tangible.

an established selection

Replaces 'certain' with 'established', implying the choice is conventional or standard.

a distinct option

Replaces "certain" with "distinct", suggesting the option is clearly different from others.

FAQs

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

You can use "a certain choice" when referring to a specific option or decision without explicitly stating what that choice is. For example, "After considering all the options, I made "a certain choice" that I believe will benefit my career."

What are some alternatives to "a certain choice"?

You can use alternatives like "a specific option", "a particular selection", or "a definite decision" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a certain choice", or should I use another phrase?

The phrase "a certain choice" is grammatically correct and commonly used. However, depending on the context, a more precise phrase like "a specific option" or "a particular selection" might be more appropriate.

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

While both phrases are similar, "a certain choice" often implies that the details of the choice are either unknown or unimportant. "A specific choice", on the other hand, suggests that the details are known and could be elaborated on if needed.