a certain discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a certain discussion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific discussion that is not explicitly named or detailed. Example: "During a certain discussion, we realized that our views on the topic were quite different."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

However, I have experienced people changing their minds after a certain discussion or exposure to a new viewpoint.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Some additional covariates were also significant predictors of certain discussion features.

CBE Life Sciences Education

What's more interesting now is how she continues to function as a player and signifier in certain discussions about '60s and '70s American cinema, at least for an earlier generation.

The New York Times

Final details were not immediately known, but in a statement, Comcast said it was restricted from holding certain discussions with third parties relating to AT&T Broadband without AT&T's approval.

The New York Times

To enable the fluidity of exchanges within the EU, certain discussions led by certain institutions happen in a limited number of languages.

Huffington Post

There were certain discussions between (Imtiaz) Ali and the Board regarding retaining a kiss between two actors (Ranbir and Nargis), but there have been no disagreement regarding deleting the flag from the frames".

Wikipedia

"That is terribly arbitrary, but useful for certain discussions".

The New York Times - Health

He refuses to second-guess the decisions of those under him, and believes his absence from certain discussions relieves him of responsibility for certain decisions.

The Economist

And it is here we find the biggest reason Muslims will not speak out in certain discussions of Islam and Muslims.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It clearly wouldn't be appropriate for certain discussions to be conducted on programmes by people who clearly had those interests at heart".

The Guardian

Final details were not immediately known, but the statement did say Comcast was restricted from holding certain discussions with third parties relating to AT&T Broadband without first obtaining AT&T's approval.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a certain discussion", ensure that the context makes it clear which discussion you are referring to, even if it isn't explicitly named. Providing additional context can improve clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a certain discussion" when the reader has no prior knowledge of the discussion you're referencing. This can lead to confusion and weaken your writing. Provide sufficient context or use a more specific description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a certain discussion" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. As Ludwig highlights, it refers to a specific discussion, but without explicitly naming it. The term "certain" modifies the noun "discussion", indicating a particular instance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a certain discussion" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to reference a particular conversation, even without providing specific details. Ludwig examples demonstrate its wide applicability across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science, Wiki, and Formal & Business settings. Alternatives like "a specific discussion" or "a particular discussion" can enhance clarity in some instances, but "a certain discussion" remains a valuable and frequently used expression. The key is to ensure sufficient context for the reader to understand which discussion you're referring to. As Ludwig AI suggests, using the phrase appropriately ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a particular discussion

Replaces "certain" with "particular", emphasizing the specific nature of the discussion.

a specific discussion

Substitutes "certain" with "specific", highlighting that the discussion is clearly defined.

a given discussion

Replaces "certain" with "given", implying the discussion is predetermined or already established.

a designated discussion

Substitutes "certain" with "designated", indicating the discussion was officially chosen or appointed.

a defined discussion

Replaces "certain" with "defined", stressing that the discussion has clear boundaries and scope.

a select discussion

Substitutes "certain" with "select", suggesting the discussion is among a limited or exclusive group.

a notable discussion

Replaces "certain" with "notable", highlighting the significance or importance of the discussion.

a noteworthy discussion

Substitutes "certain" with "noteworthy", implying the discussion is deserving of attention or recognition.

a relevant discussion

Replaces "certain" with "relevant", indicating that the discussion is pertinent to the current context.

a pertinent discussion

Substitutes "certain" with "pertinent", stressing the direct relevance of the discussion to the matter at hand.

FAQs

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

You can use "a certain discussion" to refer to a specific, but not explicitly named, conversation. For example: "During "a certain discussion", we decided to change our approach."

What can I say instead of "a certain discussion"?

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

Is it better to be specific instead of using "a certain discussion"?

While "a certain discussion" is grammatically correct, being more specific often enhances clarity. If the context allows, providing more details about the discussion is generally preferable.

What is the difference between "a certain discussion" and "a specific discussion"?

While similar, "a specific discussion" directly emphasizes the defined and unambiguous nature of the conversation. "A certain discussion" implies specificity but allows for slightly more ambiguity, relying on context to clarify which discussion is being referenced.