a certain comment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a certain comment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific comment that is not named or detailed, often implying that it is known to the audience or relevant to the context. Example: "During the meeting, she made a certain comment that sparked a lot of discussion among the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

We don't recognise it as such but we encounter an article in the newspaper and then suddenly we recall that a friend had a certain comment on that particular story, a certain bit of news that we saw on the television applies to that and we immediately assemble an idea of a story.

The Guardian - Books

Are they equally reacting to a certain comment or news?

Vietnam Journal of Computer Science

It's okay to joke, of course, but use your common sense; think about what you're about to say, and consider the fact that just because you may not be offended by a certain comment, others could be.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

When you research a book, certain comments people make stay with you.

The New Yorker

"In each instance there was a certain social comment about conditions that were prevalent at the time," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

There are sometimes outliers that make me uncomfortable, but they also give me pause and reflection as to why a certain evalutative comment was made.

University of California, Berkeley

Currently, comments to a posting are added at the bottom, even if they are specifically about one certain comment another Facebook user wrote.

Los Angeles Times

For this trial, certain comment threads have the new format.

The Guardian

This has wrongly branded antisemitism as certain comment about Israel that is extremely critical, but in itself does not display any kind of antisemitic tropes.

The Guardian - Opinion

The evaluation team also provides certain comment and recommendation that belong to identified problematic pattern.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

This is partly the case because the interview is a dialogue and certain comments made by interviewees will lead the interviewer to ask different follow-up questions to some interviewees than to others.

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a certain comment" when you want to refer to a specific remark without explicitly stating its content, creating a sense of intrigue or shared understanding with your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "a certain comment" excessively in formal or academic writing where precision is valued. Opt for more specific language to enhance clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a certain comment" functions as a noun phrase, where 'a' is a determiner, 'certain' is an adjective modifying 'comment'. It introduces a specific, though unspecified, remark. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is grammatically sound and applicable in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a certain comment" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase that functions as a noun phrase. It's used to refer to a specific, though unspecified, remark. While its frequency is uncommon, it appears across various contexts, including news, science, and general discussions. Ludwig AI affirms its validity. To maintain clarity and precision, especially in formal writing, consider using more specific alternatives like "a specific remark" or "a particular statement".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a specific remark

Emphasizes the particularity of the comment.

a particular statement

Highlights the distinct nature of the utterance.

a specific observation

Focuses on the comment as an instance of noting something.

a given remark

Suggests the comment was presented or offered.

a noteworthy comment

Highlights the comment's significance or importance.

a relevant statement

Indicates the comment's pertinence to the context.

a pertinent remark

Similar to 'relevant statement' but with a slightly more formal tone.

a select comment

Implies the comment was chosen or carefully considered.

a definite statement

Emphasizes the clarity and decisiveness of the comment.

a remark in question

Highlights the comment as being under consideration or discussion.

FAQs

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

You can use "a certain comment" to refer to a specific remark without detailing it, like in the sentence, "During the meeting, she made "a certain comment" that changed the discussion's direction.

What's a more formal alternative to "a certain comment"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "a specific remark" or "a particular statement" to maintain clarity and precision.

Is it okay to use "a certain comment" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, using "a certain comment" in academic writing may lack the specificity expected. Consider providing more detail or using alternatives like "a noteworthy comment" if appropriate.

What does "a certain comment" imply?

"A certain comment" often implies that the remark is already known or understood within the context of the conversation, or that the speaker prefers not to disclose the exact details for various reasons.