a certain elaboration

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a certain elaboration" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific level of detail or explanation that is not precisely defined but is understood to be necessary or relevant in a given context. Example: "The report requires a certain elaboration on the methodology used in the study to clarify the results."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The concept of phronesis can itself be seen as providing a certain elaboration of the dialogic conception of understanding Gadamer had already found in Plato.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

More specifically, compound classes that after a certain chemical elaboration fail to exhibit a differentiated activity profile, i.e. do not show activity cliffs, should not be prosecuted any further since all too often those 'flat SAR' or 'rolling-hill' analogues were repeatedly identified as cul-de-sac series in many lead finding campaigns.

F1000Research

On the intellectual, ideological, and religious levels, although some diversity and certain elaborations occurred in some regions, there was a fundamental unity to the Meso-American area, the product of centuries of political and economic ties.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The resulting models are similar to certain elaborations of the Richardson model: while one starts from the arms race and builds in economic allocation issues, the other starts with the allocation problem and builds in the rivalry.

Encyclopedia Britannica

During the elaboration of a generic layer, a certain v2c message is needed twice, and a local buffer or multiple memory reading operations were implemented in Arch.

EURASIP Journal on Embedded Systems

Philosophy is a historical, non-scientific enterprise concerned with the elaboration of a general point of view from a certain personal or cultural perspective.

SEP

If the sentences of Mentalese require unique processes of elaboration then they require a computational mechanism of a certain type.

Wikipedia

Versified elaborations of the story of Joseph appear in Judeo-Spanish (Ladino) in Coplas de Yoçef ("Song of Joseph"), composed in 1732 by Abraham de Toledo and embodying a certain amount of traditional Haggadic material.

Encyclopedia Britannica

— a certain pleasure.

The New York Times

A certain lady.

The New Yorker

"To a certain point.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a certain elaboration" when you want to indicate that a specific level of detail or explanation is needed, without necessarily defining it precisely. For example, "The topic requires "a certain elaboration" to be fully understood."

Common error

Avoid using "a certain elaboration" excessively, as it can make your writing sound vague or evasive. If possible, try to be more specific about the type or amount of elaboration that is needed. For example, instead of saying 'The concept needs "a certain elaboration"', specify 'The concept needs a more detailed explanation of its practical applications'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a certain elaboration" functions as a noun phrase, indicating that a particular level of explanation or detailing is required. According to Ludwig, it's deemed grammatically correct and usable. The phrase points to an unspecified, yet necessary, expansion or clarification of a topic or concept.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a certain elaboration" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to indicate the need for additional detail or explanation. Ludwig confirms its validity and provides diverse examples of its usage across various contexts, primarily in news, science, and encyclopedic sources. While versatile, it's important to be mindful of potential vagueness. Opt for more specific language when possible to enhance clarity and avoid overuse, ensuring your writing remains both precise and engaging.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a specific explanation

Replaces "elaboration" with "explanation", focusing on clarity.

a particular expansion

Substitutes "elaboration" with "expansion", highlighting the act of extending upon an idea.

a detailed explanation

Adds "detailed" to emphasize thoroughness in the explanation.

a degree of detailing

Shifts the focus to the act of providing details.

a level of specification

Emphasizes the precision and specificity of the explanation.

a defined extension

Highlights the extension of an idea within specific bounds.

a precise account

Replaces "elaboration" with "account", stressing accuracy.

an exact depiction

Focuses on the accuracy of the representation provided.

a given interpretation

Emphasizes the specific interpretation or understanding being presented.

a measured development

Highlights the controlled and deliberate nature of the elaboration or expansion.

FAQs

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

You can use "a certain elaboration" when you want to indicate that something needs more explanation or detail, but you don't want to specify exactly how much. For example, "The project requires "a certain elaboration" to be fully understood."

What's a good alternative to "a certain elaboration"?

Alternatives to "a certain elaboration" include "detailed explanation", "specific description", or "further clarification" depending on the context.

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

While "a certain elaboration" can be useful, being more specific generally improves clarity. For instance, instead of "The theory needs "a certain elaboration"", consider saying "The theory needs a detailed explanation of its practical applications."

In what contexts is "a certain elaboration" most appropriate?

"A certain elaboration" is suitable when you want to acknowledge the need for more detail without defining the exact amount or type of detail required. It's often used in academic or professional contexts where nuance is important, but should be balanced with specificity where possible.